This species possesses many admirable qualities, and it might be introduced to advantage in our southern states. It is very even-tempered and sensible, easily handled, is a vigorous feeder, breeds persistently, and matures very rapidly; but in every New York winter, it requires some heat in its barn. The Maral Deer, (_Cervus maral_), is in appearance like an extra large red deer or a small elk. It is a midway member of the Wapiti group, which extends in a somewhat broken chain from Colorado, northward across Bering Strait to Asia, and thence across Asia and Europe to Scotland. We have owned a fine pair of Maral Deer, from the Caucasus district, but they have failed to breed as expected. The European Red Deer, (_Cervus elaphus_), is an understudy of the American elk, which it much resembles in form and in habits. Next to the elk it is the finest living deer, and for many generations has held its own against the dangers of in-breeding. In the parks and forest preserves of Great Britain and Europe, it exists abundantly, but only as private property, subject to the guns of the owner and his friends. This species has been successfully crossed with the American elk. Other Asiatic Deer will be found in the Small-Deer House, in the southern end of the Park. THE LION HOUSE, No. 15. As a spectacle of captive animal life, there is none more inspiring than a spacious, well-lighted and finely-appointed lion house, filled with a collection of the world’s greatest and handsomest wild beasts. To build an ideal lion house, and to fill it with a first-class collection of large felines, are matters involving no little time and much money; but the sight,—for the millions of visitors,—of lions, tigers, jaguars, pumas, leopards, cheetahs, black leopards, snow leopards and clouded leopards, all under one roof, surely is worth what it costs. The Lion House of the Zoological Park was completed, excepting a few minor details, early in the year 1903, and was formally opened to the public in February. It is 244 feet long, 115 feet wide, including the outdoor cages, and its cost when completed reached $150,000. The materials of the building are the same kind as those used in the Reptile House and Primate House, but the animal sculptures, all by Mr. Eli Harvey, are more abundant and conspicuous than on any other structure erected heretofore. The building contains 13 indoor cages, and 9 outdoor cages, and between the two there is free communication. The sizes of the various cages are as follows: Interior cages: Largest, 14 feet wide, 22 feet deep; smallest, 13 feet wide, 14 feet high. Exterior cages: two end cages, 40×44 feet, 17 feet high; central cage, 40 feet square, 14 feet high; smallest, 13 feet wide, 12 feet deep, 13 feet high. [Illustration: JAGUAR.]