The Indian Crestless Hill Porcupine, (_H. longicauda_), usually present in our collection, is merely a quiet understudy of the former. Strange to say—and also provoking—our old friend of the North Woods, the Canada Porcupine, (_Erethizon dorsatus_), is much more capricious and difficult to keep for a long period than either of the fine foreign species already mentioned. It is only the men who know all about animals who can tell us why nothing seems to exactly satisfy them, and why they will not breed here, live ten years and be happy. Even the best cage life does not seem to be good enough for them; but we are still experimenting. In order that visitors to the Park may at all times be able to see a Beaver, (_Castor canadensis_), and not be thwarted in that desire by the very shy habits of the animals in the Beaver Pond, we have a specimen on exhibition in the Small-Mammal House. This individual came from the Rio Grande, as a small kit, and has been reared in its present quarters. It is kept constantly supplied with food--wood, chiefly of poplar and maple, and clean water in which to bathe. [Illustration: AFRICAN PORCUPINE.] The Capybara, (_Hydrochaerus capybara_), is the largest of all gnawing animals, and the most remarkable rodent in our collection. In form and size it suggests a large, gray, coarse-haired pig. It is a water-loving animal, of the American tropics, and lives on the grassy banks of the delta of the Orinoco, and similar places farther south. It is one of the best divers of all land animals, and when attacked on land always plunges into the water and dives for about 100 feet before coming to the surface. It is strictly a vegetable feeder, and its flesh is very palatable food. It takes kindly to captivity, and in disposition it is very affectionate. The Agouti, (_Dasyprocta_), is to the jungles of South America as the cotton-tail rabbit is to the forests of the eastern United States; but structurally it is not closely related to the members of the Rabbit Family. It lives wholly on the ground, in dense cover, and is very difficult to shoot. As a rule, it is impossible for dogs to catch it because it runs so swiftly through the dense cover that they cannot keep it in sight. There are a number of species, varying in color from dark brown to golden yellow. [Illustration: TAMANDUA.] The Toothless Mammals.—The Order _Edentata_ contains some of the most odd and remarkable mammals that ever find their way into a zoological park. They are the armadilloes, ant-eaters and sloths. Without exception, they are delicate feeders, and difficult to keep for long periods, and for this reason the number on exhibition constantly varies between half a score and none at all! As far as it is possible, the species named below will be kept on exhibition; but these rarities are difficult to obtain, and the supply must be regarded as intermittent.