Walter Deane (1848-1930) Papers; Journal Jan-Dec 1901. Botany Libraries, Archives of the Gray Herbarium, Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, Mass.

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page [144] (seq. 146)
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page [144] (seq. 146)

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Bronx Park, N.Y. 1901 Nov. 10-17 Nov. 15 (3)

After catching the fish, which in this case was a dead one, the bird retired to a perch and got ready to swallow it. He arranged it in his mouth head downwards and finally down it went, distending the throat to more than double its size as it went down.

In pens outside the house were Bald & Golden Eagles, Black & Turkey Vultures and in a pond near by were immense Trumpeter Swans, Canada Geese, Herring & Black-backed Gulls and native Ducks of many species. Cassowary A noble specimen of a Ceram Cassowary in fine plumage and color about the head attracted me very much. Two Burrowing Owls running in and out of their hole was a touch of nature. Kadiae Bears Black Bears, enormous Kadiae Bears, male & female, Grisley Bear, Foxes, Timber Wolves, Fox Squirrels, Caribou, Sea lions, Monkeys of many kinds in the Monkey House, and out of doors one species of Monkey that lives out in the snow all winter with a house to retire to. Buffaloes were there too and Virginia Deer.

Reptile House The Reptile House was almost more interesting than anything else. At one end in a large pool of water with

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Alligators tropical plants about it were several Alligators from the South. One was a big fellow and at twelve o'clock, as was his custom, he thrust his huge head above the water and roared low enough to almost shake the building. We stood close by him and I could not see that he opened his mouth. The noise was as loud as the roaring of a bull. Dr. Fisher said that he had them bellowing just in this manner at Lake Pontchartrain in the South. Snakes There were Frogs & Turtles of many kinds but I spent most of my time here among the Snakes which were in mat glassfronted cases about the room. There were branches for them to climb upon, water to go into and a clear pebbly bottom to crawl over. Here were representations of our No. Amer. {North American} Snakes besides some foreign ones such as a huge Python 27 feet long, a King Cobra, the deadliest of all snakes and very active in his movements, so that the guard must be alert when he thrusts through a small door at the back, his meal of Garter Snakes! Here were all our New England species and I was delighted to see Moccasin Snakes from the South. One big

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Needs Review

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Rattler that was a recent acquisition and was still rather excited, was coiled up in the middle of his large cage and was shaking his rattles incessantly. It was a rare sight and sound. The Hog-nosed Snake of New England I saw for the first time. He has a sort of a pug on the end of the snout but though he has a forbidding look he is harmless.

Iguanas from Mexico were large lizards over a foot in length of brilliant colors, and active motion as they ran about on the branches. E.W. Nelson said he lived for two weeks on the Mexican coast on the flesh of these lizards. They were chopped fine and boiled.

Monitor There was a Monitor, a species of Lizard, about three feet long with long darting tongue that feeds on eggs, swallowing them whole. Two were given him as we watched him, they were hen's eggs and looked very large for him to take whole, but he picked them up one after the other in his mouth and down they went whole into his stomach. He could scarcely have had any pleasure in the act of swallowing. I suppose after a while the egg breaks in the stomach.

In an adjoining room to which the

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page [147] (seq. 149)
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public are not admitted we saw a Chimpanzee and Orang-Outan {Orangutan} both great pets. In a corner of this room in its large heavy transporting cage was a magnificent leopard that sprang around towards me as I approached rather near his cage and a perfect picture of majestic fury. Rarely have I seen a more impressive sight.

2-headed Garter Snake I saw a two-headed Garter Snake. The body forked about an inch from the head.

Chimpanzee At one o'clock we assembled at the Restaurant on the grounds where we were served a good lunch in a private room, Mr. Hornaday sitting at the head of the table. It was a bright pleasant affair. As lunch was progressing Mr. Hornaday stepped out a moment, returning very soon with the big Chimpanzee from the Congo River Africa, in his arms. We were much excited. Mrs. Hornaday took him in her arms and fondled him, directly opposite me. Mr. Hornaday removed his chest protector which he had on owing to an attack of bronchitis, and in attempting to put in on, the Chimpanzee was a little reluctant

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Needs Review

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and screamed and slid down to the floor and under the table. He was probably a little stirred up by seeing so many people. He then got under another table and then came out readily to Mr. Hornaday who took him away.

"Sally" the Orang-Outan at table, eating & drinking Soon after this Mr. Hornaday moved from the head of the table to one side and a man stepped in and put a high chair at the had in Mr. Hornaday's place. Then stepping out the man returned with a big OrangOutan, the one I had seen before in his arms. Though young in years she was a big fellow with long red hair. She clasped the man's neck with her arms, and his body with her legs. "Sally" was her name. She was put in the high chair where she sat with perfect ease and dignity, reaching for nothing and looking down the table with all the composure of a diner-out. A dish full of cold custard was then put before her. Reaching out she took up a spoon, grasping the handle at the end, took a spoonful of custard, conveyed it quietly to her mouth, and ate it looking as us as if to say "I can do this as well as you mortals." In this

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