European Bison.—In a corral adjoining the Buffalo Entrance, on the Boston Road, are to be found two specimens of the rare and almost extinct European Bison, (Bos bonasus). This species is the nearest living relative of the American bison, and the two specimens (male and female), now exhibited, came quite unexpectedly into the possession of the Zoological Society in April, 1904. They were acquired from the small captive herd in the forest of the Prince of Pless, in Silesia, south-eastern Germany, and are the first living specimens of the species to be exhibited in America. They were presented to the Society by Mr. Norman James, of Baltimore, Mr. Charles Sheldon and Dr. Leonard J. Sanford.
The distinguishing characters of this species are shorter and less abundant hair on the head, neck and shoulders than our bison, a tail densely covered with hair throughout its length, very long legs, and a short body.
But for royal protection, this species would long ere this have become extinct. In the year 1857, about 1,898 head were living, but in 1892 the total had decreased to 491. It appears, however, that an increase can safely be announced. An estimate recently published (1906) places the total number of wild and semi-wild individuals at 1,400, while in the captive herds of the Czar and the Prince of Pless there are 46 more. About 700 of the survivors inhabit the forests of Bielowitza and Swisslotsch, Lithuania, west Russia, and are strictly protected by the Czar. Other bands still exist on the northern slope of the Caucasus Mountains around the sources of the Laba and Bjellaja, sometimes ranging up to an elevation of 8,000 feet. Wherever found, they live in scattered bands of from three to ten individuals. All the survivors of this species are so jealously guarded that very few of the zoological gardens of Europe have been able to procure specimens.
This animal is very often miscalled the “aurochs,” and from this error much confusion has arisen. The true aurochs, (Bos primigenius), was the wild progenitor of some of the existing breeds of domestic cattle, but it is now extinct.
MOUNTAIN SHEEP HILL, No. 44.
The wild sheep and goats of the world form an exceedingly interesting group of animals. In form they are odd and picturesque, and in temper and mentality they are everything that could be desired. All the year round, deer are either nervous or dangerous, and difficult to handle. Wild sheep, goats and ibex appreciate man’s interest in them, and even when not fond of attention, they act sensibly when it is necessary to handle them.
The Zoological Park collection of wild sheep and goats is one of the most interesting features of the Park. Mountain Sheep Hill is the first high ridge west of the Rocking Stone, and its northern end is very near the Bear Dens and Reptile House. It consists of a ridge of pink granite 500 feet long and 25 feet high, its southern end fully exposed, but the northern end well shaded by oaks and cedars. For grazing animals that love to climb, and pose on the sky line, the slopes of bare rock, set in patches of hard, green turf, are almost ideal. In the eastern face of the ridge, rock excavations have been made, and five roomy caves have been constructed in such a manner that they are cool in summer, warm in winter, and dry at all times. On April 1, 1913, the six wire enclosures on Mountain Sheep Hill contained the following species:
WHITE-FRONTED MUSK-OX.
