The Silver Pheasant, (Gennaeas nycthemerus), of China, is Nature’s “running mate” for the golden pheasant, not only in the rocky hill forests of southern China, but in acclimatization, in captivity, and everywhere else. Wherever you see a golden pheasant, look for the Silver also, with its showy, snow-white tail, and white mantle of feathers which covers the whole upper two-thirds of the bird from its ears to its tail. Its dark-colored under surface serves well to accentuate the whiteness of its other parts. It is a larger bird than the golden and Amherst pheasants, but it is so good tempered that every summer two or three cock birds are kept in the great Flying Cage along with many small and defenseless birds which might easily be molested. In parks which are not visited by great numbers of people, both this species and the golden are easily domesticated, and permitted to roam at will.

The Reeves Pheasant, (Syrmaticus reevesi), of northern China, is a most beautiful species, closely related to the Japanese, Elliott, Hume and Soemmerring pheasants,—all of them fine, showy birds. Like the Amherst, the Reeves Pheasant has a very long tail, which in fully adult or old male birds often attains a length of five feet. When you see in captivity a pheasant with an enormously long tail, it is safe to assume that it is either an Amherst or a Reeves.

The Soemmerring Pheasant, (Phasianus soemmerringii), sometimes very aptly called the Copper Pheasant, is a native of Japan, and a bird of which any country might well be proud. In size, form and length of tail it matches the common ring-necked pheasant. Its head and neck plumage is of a warm copper-bronze tint, but its most beautiful colors are found in the elaborate cross-bar markings of its tail. The pattern of the latter reveals first a strong cross-bar of chocolate brown, above that a broad band of fawn-color, and this blends into a mottling of black on cream-color, edged across with black.

The True Ring-Necked Pheasant, (P. torquatus), of China, brings to view a question that frequently is asked regarding the English Pheasant, (P. colchicus), which is the common species of southeastern Europe and Asia Minor, and of Great Britain and other continental areas by introduction. We are asked, “Has the English Pheasant a white ring around its neck, or not?”

The answer is, the true, pure-blooded English, or Common Pheasant, (P. colchicus), has no ring around its neck; but so many persons have crossed the true Ring-Necked Pheasant, of China, with that species that in many flocks of the former species the majority of the individuals are of mixed breed, with necks perceptibly ringed, yet passing as English Pheasants. As a matter of fact, in the world to-day, pure-blooded English Pheasants are rare. Both the English and Ring-Necked species have been successfully introduced into several portions of the United States.

While on this subject, we will here record the fact that the name Mongolian Pheasant, as often applied to the Ring-Neck, is a misleading error. The real Mongolian Pheasant, of Turkestan, (P. mongolicus), is a species of such extreme rarity that it is almost unknown, alive, in the United States. A fine pair of these birds is now on exhibition at the Pheasant Aviary.

The Argus Pheasant, (Argusianus argus), is a bird with a great reputation for beauty, but as seen alive in zoological collections it does not always come up to expectations. Both its secondary feathers—which when fully developed are of enormous length—and its primaries, are extremely beautiful; but unfortunately those beauties are not visible until the bird is dead, and its plumage displayed in a manner very rarely adopted by the living, captive bird. But the eyes on the huge secondary feathers are wonderful, and each primary is a dream in ecru and brown tints, laid on in a most elaborate pattern. The Argus Pheasants are most shy and wide-awake birds, inhabiting the dense, hot and moist jungles of Borneo, Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula, and are almost impossible to shoot. They are snared by the Dyaks and Malays, and after the skin has been removed and carefully preserved for museum purposes, the flesh is as fine eating as the breast of a quail and quite as palatable. A few successful attempts have been made to breed this species in captivity.

The Impeyan Pheasant, (Lophophorus impeyanus), is the neighbor of the Himalayan tahr, the burrhel, the ibex and the markhor, and the delight of every sportsman who dares the rocks of “the Roof of the World” in quest of Himalayan big game. Its beauty is due chiefly to its metallic colors, and the splendid iridescence of its plumage. Its home is in the world’s most gigantic mountains, and it is not uncommon for a bird that has flown out from a mountain-side and been shot on the wing to fall 2,000 feet, and beyond human reach. No wonder this bird is popular with Anglo-Indian sportsmen.

The Pheasant Aviary is a double installation, and as an aviary for Pigeons and Doves it is quite as perfect as it is for Pheasants.

During the year 1910 and part of 1911, the pheasants of the Old World were studied in their haunts by Mr. C. William Beebe, Curator of Birds. By reason of a cash gift to the Zoological Society made by Col. Anthony R. Kuser, he was enabled to make the expedition. The results will be embodied in an elaborate monograph, which probably will be published in the near future.

THE OSTRICH HOUSE, No. 43.
This entire collection presented by the late Charles T. Barney.

Originally it was our intention to devote this fine building solely to the great “running birds,”—Ostriches, Rheas, Emeus and Cassowaries; but the pressure for space has been so great that this intention never has been carried into effect, and we fear it never will be. There are so many cranes, seriemas, tropical vultures and other large birds which appeal for space in these very pleasant and healthful quarters, we have felt compelled to set our original plan half at naught. It seems probable that some of the feathered interlopers now in the Ostrich House will remain there, indefinitely—or at least until we erect a Crane Aviary.

Architecturally, the Ostrich House is the counterpart of the Small-Mammal House, the two being identical in size and form, and connected by a handsome pavilion. Each building is 170 feet long, and 54 feet wide. The Ostrich House contains 13 cages, each 10×12 feet, by 8 feet in height. A flood of warm light pours through a glass roof into these cages, and makes them as light as the yards without. It is no wonder that birds thrive in this building. Movable partitions were provided, so that a few of the cages might be subdivided whenever necessary. This provision has proven of much practical value.

Each interior cage connects with a spacious outside yard, in which the big birds spend the warm months. The yards are enclosed by wire fences, and to the eye of the visitor they are open from three directions.

The members of the Subclass Ratitae,—once called the Cursores, or the “running birds,”—are the present-day giants of the avian world. We have reason to be glad that all these splendid birds did not disappear from the earth before ornithology took form as a science. Undoubtedly, they mark the end of the line of birds of their kind, for the far-reaching destructiveness of civilized man has already put a period to the natural evolution of animal life. To-day, the preservers of wild life are engaged in a hand-to-hand struggle with the annihilators, over the preservation of a remnant for those who come after us.

The African Ostriches are now very prominently in the public eye, not because of their relationship to the Dinornis and Aepyornis of the past, but by reason of the value of their plumes in enhancing the attractiveness of woman. And surely, no plume-bearing bird ever enlisted in a better cause, or on a more satisfactory basis; for to-day the plume crop is being grown and plucked and marketed with almost as much certainty as the annual crop of wool. In the United States, the most important plume-producing ostrich farms are situated in southern California and Arizona, where the industry is quite successful. So valuable are the adult birds that it is possible to purchase specimens imported from Africa for less money than would be necessary to procure them in the United States.

A full-grown male African Ostrich stands 8 feet in height, and weighs about 300 pounds. Its value on arrival in New York, before acclimatization and moulting into perfect plumage, is from $200 to $250. The female lays about 90 eggs in a year, each of which is equal to about 20 hen’s eggs. The time of incubation is about 40 days. In captivity only about 60 per cent of the eggs hatch, and of those not more than one-half live to attain full maturity. The plumage of immature birds and adult females is gray, but that of the adult male is black on the body, and white on the wings and tail.

The South African Ostrich, (Struthio australis), differs from the species found in the north. The color of the naked skin of its neck and thighs, and the front scales on its metatarsus, is distinctly bluish, and dark. This is the species of the southern half of Africa, now so successfully farmed in Cape Colony for its feathers that the annual crop is said to yield about $5,000,000. And it is this species which is kept on the ostrich farms of California and Arizona.

The North African, or Sudan Ostrich, (S. camelus), is the species first and longest known. Its neck, thighs and front metatarsal scales are of a decided pink color. Originally the range of this species extended from north Africa well into southwestern Asia, embracing Arabia, Syria and Mesopotamia.

Generally speaking, the African Ostriches originally covered all the open, sandy plains of Africa; but they never inhabited the regions of dense forests. To-day their total inhabited range is small, and rapidly becoming more so. It is highly probable that within the life period of many persons now living, wild Ostriches will totally disappear from the earth.

The Common Rhea, or South American Ostrich, (Rhea americana), represents a group of ostriches much smaller than those of Africa, and found only on the open plans of Argentina and Patagonia, below the great equatorial forest belt. There are three species in the group. In general terms it may be stated that an adult Rhea is about two-thirds the size of an adult African ostrich. It is with great difficulty that these birds are reared to maturity in the United States.

The Common Emeu, (Dromacus novae-hollandiae), of Australia, is the neighbor of the kangaroo and wallaby, and in form is as odd as are the majority of the birds and mammals of that continent of strange creatures. Its body suggests a pile of gray-brown hay elevated on stilts, to one end of which a hay-covered neck and head have been attached. The bird-lover should make much of this creature, for in its home country it has been almost exterminated. Fortunately, in climates reasonably well suited to it—but not in or near New York—it is possible to breed this bird in captivity. In size the Emeu is next to the African ostrich.

The Ceram Cassowary, (Casuarius casuarius), of the Island of Ceram, Malay Archipelago, represents a group which contains a number of well-defined species which are scattered through the northern cape of Australia, New Guinea, the Aru Islands, Ceram, and other islands of Malayana east of Celebes. They are all distinguished by their glossy purple or black body plumage—which looks far more like coarse hair than like feathers—their huge legs, and their helmeted heads. The differences between species are based chiefly upon the bright orange red and purple colors of their upper necks and wattles.

In size the Cassowaries are all of them smaller than the emeus. In captivity they are the best of all the large cursorial birds, and live longer than either ostriches, rheas or emeus. They are essentially birds of the thick forests rather than open plains, and can not bear the glaring light and heat of midsummer that is the delight of an ostrich. In captivity they are very apt to be quarrelsome toward each other.

Miscellaneous Birds in the Ostrich House.—At present these are so numerous and so important it is necessary to mention a few of them, even though the labels may be supposed to speak for them. They fall into several groups, chiefly birds of prey and cranes.

One of the most remarkable creatures in the entire collection is the Secretary Bird, (Serpentarius serpentarius). It is well known as a snake killer, its attacks being made with the feet alone, and never with the beak. Its long legs are remarkably powerful, and capable of dealing a crushing blow, always aimed at the head of the victim. Although it does not resemble the hawks and eagles in general appearance, it is in reality one of this group, and might well be described as a “hawk on stilts.” The snakes, frogs, small animals and birds which form its diet are generally swallowed entire. The long cockades of black feathers falling backwards at each side of the head are said to have suggested the name Secretary Bird, from a fancied resemblance to a quill stuck behind the ear of a clerk.

The Brush Turkey, or Telegalla, (Catheturus lathami), is a bird of the dark tropical forests of New Guinea and Australia. For many years it has been regarded as a zoological wonder, because of the remarkable manner in which it nests and produces its young. Instead of building a small, hollow nest, and hatching its eggs by the heat of its own body, it pursues the plan of the crocodile! Choosing an open spot in the forest it builds a huge mound, and as the structure rises, it lays its eggs in the heart of it. Turning its tail to the mound-site, this absurd little bird—no larger than a barnyard hen—scratches about right and left, gathers a big footful of small dead sticks, grass and dirt, and fiercely flings it backward upon the pile. A Brush Turkey in good working order can fling a bunch of jungle debris fully ten feet. Usually the finished mound is about three feet high by ten feet in diameter on the ground, and contains two or three cart-loads of sticks, leaves and grass. The eggs are deposited in a circle, well separated from each other, and each newly hatched bird must scratch out or die. Of course, the eggs are incubated by the heat of the sun and the fermentation of the mass. When hatched, the young chicks are able to fly.

THE CRANES.

At present the Cranes of the Zoological Park are divided between the Ostrich House and the Aquatic Bird House, and their environs. In summer there are exhibits of these birds in the outdoor yards adjacent to each of those buildings. Recently, a number of species have been acclimatized in the Crane Paddock, and are to be seen there winter and summer.

The Whooping Crane, (Grus americana), is the largest, the handsomest and the rarest crane species in America. Its great size and its pure-white plumage—except its primaries—render it conspicuous from afar, and its voice will carry half a mile. The arched secondary wing feathers of the adult give the bird a very jaunty appearance. This species is so rare that thus far we have been able in eight years to secure only three specimens. The Whooping Crane nests in summer in the Arctic regions, but in winter it ranges as far south as Mexico. Our specimens of this bird will in summer be found in the large paddock immediately north of the Aquatic Bird House, with the next species.

The Sandhill Crane, (Grus mexicana), is smaller than the preceding species, more common, and is frequently seen in captivity. Its color is slaty-blue. It is found in the southeastern United States, but once was fairly common throughout the Mississippi valley. In captivity this bird often indulges in some very droll antics—at times actually dancing. The adult males are often quite pugnacious, and inclined to attack those who go near them, and all visitors are warned not to go within striking distance of them. Children especially should not be permitted to climb over the guard wires, and approach close up to the cranes’ fences.

The Sarus Crane, of the plains and sand-bars of northern India, (Antigone antigone), greatly resembles our sandhill crane, but is a much larger bird. This also is a quarrelsome species, and in captivity individuals are inclined to be cruel toward each other.

The Asiatic White Crane, (Sarcogeranus leucogeranus), is like a modest understudy to our whooping crane, in all respects save the elevated tail-crest. It is a bird of wide distribution.

The Paradise Crane, (Tetrapteryx paradisea), of the open plains of Africa outside the deserts, is a slaty-blue bird with a head so puffed out with side feathers that it looks almost reptilian. Its tail-feathers taper out to infinity, and gracefully droop quite to the ground. The little African Demoiselle Crane, (Anthropoides virgo), is so diminutive, so dainty in appearance and so gentle-spirited that its young-ladylikeness has been proclaimed in its name. Of all foreign species of cranes, it is the one easiest to procure, and the most satisfactory to keep in collections. It never quarrels, it is very sociable in its habits, and thrives in captivity.

The Crowned Crane, (Balearica pavonina), also of Africa, is, perhaps, the most beautiful of all living cranes. It is of medium size, royally colored, and strikingly set off with a conspicuous crown of stiff, quill-like feathers that stand as erect and regular as the aigret of an Indian prince.

SECTION III.—THE REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS.

THE REPTILE HOUSE, No. 34.

The Reptile House was the first large building erected in the Zoological Park. It represents an earnest effort to present carefully selected examples of the reptilian Orders, in a manner which may afford the visitor and the student a general view of the important groups of living reptiles.

The length of the Reptile House, over all, is 146 feet, and its greatest width is 100 feet. It is constructed of buff mottled brick, combined with granite and Indiana limestone. In the ornamental cornice of terra cotta, reptilian forms modelled by Mr. A. Phimister Proctor, the well-known animal sculptor, constitute an important feature. The building is roofed with slate, heated by hot water, and cost, with its cages, about $50,000. It is beautifully situated on the edge of a forest of primeval oaks, very near the geographical center of the Park.

The great center hall is unbroken by a single column, and at one end it opens across the Crocodile Pool and its sandbanks, through three huge arches, into the green, jungly mass of the conservatory. Of the tropical vegetation massed behind the pool—palmettoes, bayonet cacti, yuccas, and the like, and the tillandsias, Spanish moss, resurrection ferns, and butterfly orchids,—nearly the whole came from Florida, along with five alligators which were the first occupants of the pool.

In effect, the central hall appears to be 115 feet in length, by 40 feet wide, exclusive of the cages. But, large as this building is, it would be an easy matter to fill all its available space with the reptiles of North America alone, choosing only the handsome and showy forms. As we contemplate the great number of species in our own reptilian fauna, the thought occurs, what can we do with the reptiles of the Old World? Manifestly, the only proper course is to choose from the reptiles of the world the forms which will make for our visitors and students the most instructive and attractive series of important types.

SYNOPSIS OF THE CLASS REPTILIA.

On April 1, 1913, all these examples are on exhibition in the Reptile House:

THE TURTLES AND TORTOISES.

The Order of Turtles, (Chelonia), is so large that it has been found necessary to devote to its representatives the whole central space of the main hall of the Reptile House, and also a specially designed Tortoise House of glass in the eastern end of the building. In the main hall are two features—one, a large square tank for large turtles; the other, a pool of running water between banks of earth, sand, and living plants. This tank is 35 feet in length, and by means of low, plate-glass partitions it is divided into ten cross sections, each of which can very comfortably provide for the wants of at least three species of turtles of medium size. With a wonderfully rich Chelonian fauna on the western continent to provide for, there is little room to spare for Old World forms, and the temptation to make this collection strictly Occidental, is almost too great to be resisted. For the sake of brevity and clearness, only six types have been chosen for special mention.

The following species taken together fairly represent the different forms of Chelonians, from the highest to the lowest:

The Alligator Turtle, (Macrochelys lacertina), is the largest fresh-water chelonian in North America. In form and temper it resembles the common snapping turtle of the North, and its home is in the Gulf States. The largest of the two Louisiana specimens on exhibition weighs 115 pounds.

The Snapping Turtle, (Chelydra serpentina), which is the most courageous and pugnacious of all turtles, is rather poorly protected by its shell, and must therefore fight for its place in nature.

The Painted Turtle, (Chrysemys picta), is a species of wide and common distribution, and fairly representative of the host of fresh water terrapins and turtles so common throughout the United States in ponds and streams of all sorts.

The Box Tortoise, (Cistudo carolina), lives on land, and as a means of perfect protection has been enabled by nature completely to withdraw its head and legs within its shell, and by means of a hinge across the middle of the plastron, or lower shell, to close it tightly.

The Tortoise and Lizard Yards.—At the eastern end of the Reptile House is a commodious glass-roofed hall, opening into a series of sandy yards. This installation is occupied by the collection of tortoises and the larger tropical lizards. These reptiles do better in captivity, and show to best advantage, if given outdoor sunlight and plenty of room for exercise.

The Giant Tortoises are among the most interesting of living reptiles. There are fourteen distinct species, all belonging to the genus Testudo. These creatures appear to be survivors of the reptilian ages when reptiles attained colossal proportions. Fossil remains of the great tortoises show these creatures to have formerly inhabited the continents, but the survivors are restricted to isolated groups of small islands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Six species inhabit the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Four are found in the Aldabra Islands in the Indian Ocean, and four inhabit the Mauritius-Rodriguez group of Islands. All the species are rapidly becoming extinct. Recent expeditions to the Galapagos Islands have reported that very few Giant Tortoises now survive in those islands.

The Giant Tortoises are entirely herbivorous. The specimens exhibited consume great quantities of green food, which varies in kind according to the season’s supply. During the summer months they feed largely upon melons.

Among the species exhibited is Testudo vicina, represented by our largest specimen, captured in the Galapagos Islands. It weighs slightly over two hundred and twenty-five pounds. Another example from the same islands represents Testudo nigrita, a smaller and flatter species. Testudo elephantina, the Elephant Tortoise, is represented by a large specimen from the Aldabra Islands, which is growing rapidly. The latter tortoise has a very high shell, and proportionately small head.

The Gopher Tortoises, (Testudo carolina), are large, thick-shelled, clumsy creatures, which burrow in holes in the sandy southern regions where they live. Once they were common in southern Florida, but their edibility has resulted in a great decrease in their abundance.

The South American Tortoise, (Testudo tabulata), is a good representative of the smaller tortoises from various parts of the world. It is common throughout tropical South America and attains a maximum length of shell of about 14 inches. The shell is elongated and blackish, each of the shields having a yellowish center. Like all of the tortoises, this is a herbivorous reptile.

The Marine Turtles.—At the New York Aquarium, situated in Battery Park, and managed by the New York Zoological Society, will be found a fine collection of such large sea-turtles as the Loggerhead, Green Turtle and Hawksbill, which require salt water.

The Soft-Shelled Turtle, (Aspidonectes ferox).—As to living relatives, this strange genus seems apropos of nothing. Like some of the marine turtles its shell is greatly reduced in weight, so that it can float more readily; instead of being solid bone, it terminates in a wide, thin edge of cartilage, which is so soft that when properly boiled it constitutes palatable food.

THE CROCODILES AND ALLIGATORS.

The Order of Crocodilians.—This important Order, the members of which are widely distributed throughout the tropics and sub-tropics of the world, contains nineteen species. At this point it is well to correct certain very general misapprehensions regarding crocodilians.

Crocodiles are not confined to the Old World; at least three species being found abundantly in tropical America.

The “movement” of a crocodile’s jaw differs in no manner whatever from that of an alligator.

Only a few species of crocodiles are dangerous to man.

There is no authentic record of the loss of a human life through our common alligator.

The Alligator genus embraces the American Alligator, (A. mississippiensis), of the southern United States and a small species found in China! The head of the Alligator is very flat and its sides are nearly parallel, while the head of a typical crocodile is nearly triangular.

The American Alligator is well represented in the Pool in the Reptile House, by several lusty specimens, all of which eat voraciously, are growing rapidly, and undoubtedly enjoying life. The largest specimen, a burly monster over twelve feet in length, has grown nearly five feet in length since its arrival here in 1899.

In summer, the Alligator Pool on the hill, southeast of the Reptile House, is well stocked with alligators of various sizes, and it is there that visitors can secure most realistic impressions of the appearance of this species in a state of nature, and in abundant numbers.

Under favorable conditions,—warm water and air, good light, plenty of room, and abundant food,—the Alligator grows rapidly. A specimen hatched in our Reptile House in October, 1900, was in January, 1911, 8 feet 3 inches long, and weighed 75 pounds.

The Crocodile genus is widely represented throughout the world. Of the whole eleven species, the American continent contains four—the Florida Crocodile, (Crocodilus acutus floridanus), attaining a length of 14 feet, which was discovered at the head of Biscayne Bay, in 1875, by W. T. Hornaday; the American Crocodile, (C. acutus); the Sharp-nosed Orinoco Crocodile (Crocodilus intermedius), found in South America; and the small Crocodilus rhombifer, which is found only in Cuba and the West Indies.

Of the seven remaining species, Asia contains four, and Africa three. Of the Asiatic species, one frequents salt water.

The Florida Crocodile is now represented by two specimens nearly 9 feet long, from Madina Creek, southern Florida, presented by Mr. Julian A. Dimock. It is to be recognized at a glance by its dark olive color and sharp-pointed head. This is the only species of crocodile found in the United States. Its maximum length is 14 feet 2 inches.

The Broad-Nosed Crocodile, (Osteolaemus tetraspis), of Africa, is represented by two specimens. This species is characterized by the broad, bony-looking head. It is one of the smaller crocodilians attaining a maximum length of five feet.

THE LIZARDS.

The Tropical Lizards.—Several families of lizards are represented among the specimens occupying the Reptile House, the Tortoise room and outside runways. Among these are the Iguanas, Tegus and Monitors.

Among the Iguanas are several large and interesting lizards. The largest of these is the Rhinoceros Iguana, (Cyclura cornuta), found in Hayti. Contrary to the general belief, but like all the Iguanas, it is partly carnivorous, though it feeds largely upon vegetables and fruit. This species receives its name from the presence of three well-defined horns upon the snout.

The Mexican Iguana, (Ctenosaura acanthura), looks unique in the possession of rings of sharp spines about the tail. Most specimens are jet black when adult, but very young examples are pale green.

The South American Iguana, (Iguana tuberculata), may be readily distinguished by the very pronounced fringe of erect spines which rise along the back-bone of male specimens, and also by the presence of a rounded tubercle or plate on each side of the head. This is a brightly colored Iguana, having bars of green, gray and black. It is strictly arboreal, and evinces stronger herbivorous habits than species of the allied genera. A large male specimen is seven feet long, but much of this length is taken up by the gradually tapering tail. In South America—on the Orinoco, at least—this species is considered edible, and the writer can testify that to a hungry man its flesh is excellent.

The very popular Horned “Toad”, (Phrynosoma), of the southwestern states, of which there are eight or nine species, should be mentioned if for no other reason than to place it where it belongs—with the lizards, and not with the toads.

The Tegus, (genus Tupinambis), are powerful lizards, growing to a length of four feet, and inhabiting tropical South America. They are fleet of foot, mainly carnivorous and very quarrelsome. It is impossible to keep any but the larger lizards in the yard with them. Tegus are fond of eggs, breaking the shell at one end and lapping up the contents by means of the very broad, forked tongue. They will also eat raw beef.

The Australian Monitor, (Varanus gouldii), is a good representative of a genus of large and powerful lizards confined to the Old World, where they occur in India, Malaysia, Africa and Australia. Monitors grow to a length of eight feet. They are swift runners, entirely carnivorous, and usually dwell in thick jungles. They are able to swallow entire an animal as large as a half-grown rabbit. All are fond of eggs, swallowing them without breaking the shell, which is soon dissolved by the powerful gastric juices.

Other Lizards.—Within the main halls of the Reptile House will be found various representatives of the smaller Lizards, a few of which may be mentioned.

The beautiful, emerald-colored Green Lizard, (Lacerta viridis), of Europe, is not only a handsome species, but it is also one of the most satisfactory to keep in a vivarium—a good feeder and always posing.

The famous Glass “Snake,” (Ophiosauris ventralis), is important because its resemblance to a snake is so perfect it is generally mistaken for one, although a true lizard. It is not, however, a “connecting link” between the lizards and the serpents.

Our well-known Gila Monster, (pronounced He-la) (Heloderma suspectum), is a stupid, slow-moving creature from the southwestern deserts, thick-set and stumpy in body, and it has the appearance of being covered all over with dark-brown-black, and yellow beads, such as Indians use in their bead industry. Its bite is sufficiently venomous that it inflicts a painful wound, but it is not necessarily fatal.

The Chameleon of the Old World, (Chamaeleo vulgaris), because of its color phases and its remarkable form, is truly a great “curiosity”; but it should not be confused with our so-called American Chameleon, which belongs to another Family, and is also less interesting.

THE SERPENTS.

The Order of Serpents, (Ophidia).—The large glazed cases along the northern side of the main hall of the Reptile House are devoted to the larger serpents, while the smaller species are provided for along the south wall, and in the adjoining room. One serious difficulty in the management of a collection of living serpents lies in the fact that often the most valuable specimens are so nervous and shy in their feeding habits it is impossible to cage several together.

Out of the many species of serpents exhibited in the Reptile House, ten are chosen as fairly representing the principal groups.

The Regal Python, (Python reticulatus), here represented by a fine specimen, 22 feet in length, weighing 170 pounds, is the best representative of the rock pythons of Asia and Africa. The island of Borneo is its center of distribution. None of the constrictors is venomous, but their crushing power is almost beyond belief.

The Rock Python, (Python sebae), of Africa, is a light-colored species with a very small head, and is frequently seen in the hands and around the necks of snake-charmers.

The Anaconda, (Eunectes murinus), is one of the largest constrictors of tropical America, and is noted for its aquatic habits. It is a handsome serpent, being of a rich green color, marked with large black spots.

The Black Snake, (Bascanium constrictor), a common species in the eastern United States, is probably the highest type of the harmless snakes. It is a serpent of great vigor and activity in running, climbing, and swimming; it possesses great courage, and seeks prey of many kinds in all kinds of situations.

The Garter Snake, (Eutaenia sirtalis), is more frequently seen in the eastern United States than any other serpent. Although the warfare waged against it is perpetual, regardless of the fact that it is as harmless as a fly, its numbers do not sensibly diminish.

The Hog-Nosed Snake, “Puff Adder,” or “Sand-Viper,” (Heterodon platyrhinus), represents a large and important Family, and, despite its dangerous appearance and terrifying names, it is quite harmless. It represents one of Nature’s methods for protecting harmless and inactive creatures, by making them resemble others which are dangerous.

Venomous Reptiles.—Because of the number of species of rattlesnakes which have found lodgment in the United States, and the trouble they have caused in a few localities, we are specially interested in all serpents which are dangerous to man. The species named below represents the deadly genera which civilized man has most cause to fear.

The Harlequin Snake, or Coral Snake, (Elaps fulvius), represents a genus which contains many species, though but few of them occur in America.

The King Cobra, (Naja bungaris), from the Malay Peninsula, often called Snake-Eating Cobra, is the most dangerous of all serpents, because it is the largest and the most athletic of the venomous species, and for its bite there is no effective antidote. It feeds only on living snakes. The fine specimen exhibited is about ten feet in length.

The Cobra-de-Capello, (Naja tripudians), of which some fine specimens are shown, is the terror of India, where it kills between 18,000 and 20,000 people annually! This is the most deadly of all serpents. For its bite, science has thus far been powerless to find an antidote, although Dr. Albert Calmette, of Lille, France, experimenting extensively in this direction, has secured partially successful results.

The most vicious snake in North America, and one of the ugliest in appearance, is the Water Moccasin, (Ancistrodon piscivorus),—closely related to the beautiful Copperhead, (A. contortrix). It is more dreaded in the South than the rattler, because it strikes on the slightest provocation, and without the rattler’s timely warning. Its colors are dull, its scales rough, its body ill-shaped and clumsy, its temper is vicious, and for every reason it is a serpent to be disliked.

The Diamond-Back Rattlesnake, (Crotalus adamanteus), is too handsome, too showy, and too large to be chosen as the best average type of the genus Crotalus; but he is king of his kind, and cannot be ignored. Three species shown side by side in our Reptile House afford striking examples of protective coloration. The Diamond-Back Rattler of Florida and the South is yellow, brown, and black, to match the checkers of sunbeam and shadow that fall upon the sands under the palmetto leaves.

THE BATRACHIANS, OR AMPHIBIANS.

Among the many wonders of Nature, none is more interesting than those forms which serve to connect the great groups of vertebrate animals, by bridging over what otherwise would seem like impassable chasms.

Between the birds and the reptiles there is a fossil bird, called the Archæopteryx, with a long, vertebrated, lizard-like tail, which is covered with feathers, and the Hesperornis, a water bird with teeth, but no wings, which inhabited the shores of the great western lake which has already yielded to American paleontologists a great number of most remarkable fossil forms.

Between the reptiles and the fishes, stretches a wonderful chain of living links by which those two Classes of vertebrates are so closely and unbrokenly united, and by such an array of forms, that they constitute an independent Class, the Batrachia, or Amphibia. In the transition from water to land, from fins and gills to legs and lungs, Nature has made some strange combinations. In some instances the fins, legs, lungs and gills have become so mixed that several notable misfits have resulted, and in some cases we see gills and legs going together, while in other lungs and fins are associated.

The Reptile House contains about two dozen species of Amphibians, and it is reasonably certain that this number will be maintained and increased. They are to be found in small aquarium cases, ranged along the south side and eastern end of the Main Hall.

The Bullfrog, (Rana catesbiana), is a fair representative of the Batrachians which stand nearest to the true land-going reptiles. During the early stages of its existence it is in turn, a fin-tailed tadpole with no legs, a short-tailed tadpole with a pair of front legs, a shorter-tailed tadpole with four legs, and finally a fully-developed, land-going frog with a voice like a small bull, and no tail whatever. Of the genus Rana, there are five species in the eastern United States, several of which inhabit the Zoological Park.