New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-18
NETWORKS BUFFALO HERD
1T FLOURIsHEs AND INCREASES IN VAN
CORTLANDT PARK.



HOW ITS MEMBERS SPEND THEIR TME-rHS
TWO CALVES AND THE LOSS OF ONE
In an Interview with United States Army ON
Ger published In The Tribune few weeks ago. tho
gradual determination OF the buffalo was comment
ed upon. and the statement was made that the
largest herd now known which is kept In the
National Yellowstone Park. had dwindled down to
about fifty. and that the chances for increase were
few
There are two herds Of buraoes which were not
mentioned by the officer. and they are far removed
from that part of the country where they were
born. and where, only few years ago. their kind
could be counted by the hundred thousands.
One herd Of about forty is now In Newport. N.
r.. and the other consisting OF twenty-five head.
Of which twelve are COWS. is confined In an In
closure Of eighty acres in Van Cortlandt Park.
The Newport and the New-York herds are the
property of the Corbin estate and brought
from the plains by Austin Corbin few years ago
with view deferrng and possibly preventing
the determination OF the kind.
The fact that there were two buffalo calves born
In Van Cortlandt Park last week created some ex-
element among people interested in tho animals.
and the hope was freely expressed that the little
ones might prosper and he none the worse because
OF their captivity; but when the oldest Of the
calves died. despite the efforts OF the best veteri-
narians 10 keep II alive the Interested people be-
gan TO believe that the Army officer was right
when he said that captive buffaioes cannot thrive.
that they degenerate and die.
This view Is not shared by william Morrison. tho
keeper Of the Van Cortlandt Park herd who says
that the calf tina: died was premsturely born ana
undeveoped. and he pointed 10 the one born DAY
later. which friskcd and scampered about In
lively manner and took its nour!shment naturally
and with evident relish. The eghty-acre space In
which the buffaloes confined. together with
number Of deer. is incosed by wire screen fence.
eight feet high. which is decorated at every point
where pedestrian might reach 1t from the vari-
roads and paths with large signs. with the
inscription. Beware OF the Buffaloes" Many
people who have seen these signs at the north END
Of the parade ground and near the Van Cortlandt
Park station have wondered what they could
mean, because there are never any OF the animals
rear enough to those parts Of the park 10 make
warning necessary. But they might just as well
be there" said ". J. M1ngan, the foreman or the
park. because there are obstacles or oostruc-
tons in the way. and they are at perfect liberty
to roam all over the lot"
II the animals have any choice to the nature
of ground on which to make their beds. they have
swamp meadow woods brush and rock 10 select
from. and several bodies Of water are within easy
reach. But the bunaoes to prefer that part
OF their home which Is the deerhouse, and
their favorite resort can be from Broadway
not more than ono thousand feet from the AoshoIu
station. 1t there that Tribune reporter saw
the whole herd a few days ago The largest ons
Of the captives. whom Mr. Morrison has named
Mckinley and who is the acknowledged leader OF
the herd. stood apart from the is his usual
custom: some Of the others nibbled the short
grass near the little which interssct the
deer park. and others in groups OF two and threo
formed striking pictures on the little knobs, where
fao. with her calf. stood near the water. and one
of the party who looked at the picture. which was
improved by the presence Of ten deer IN the Tore
ground, said that he sure that the cow was
telling the little one in buffalo talk how sorry she
huI.r hnGArn no S1Nnr har
away out there where her mamma used 10 nVe' ana
II have seen more buffaloes killed in one day."
he said. by people who wanted neither the meat
nor the pelts, but only the FUN OF knocking ths
herd-yes.. and twice over, And now they've get
what's left of them behind screen fenee But
track and public highway. from which people
ike i'I putting stoveppe hat on an Apache Indian
and marching him down Broadway II would be
how how W Would tIi the the poor indian ike II"
Those who have charge Of the animals DC, DO not not
shaggy captives have a good time ana nourisn
shelter winter or summer, except such az THEY they
seek under the trees or amid the underbrusn; rnree
times every day TIER keeper lefSs ' bane s1 10 be-
at the mealtime. When they were brought mere u
buffaloes showing that they did not care Tor It,
They showed unmistakable signs OF discomfort dur
ing the hot weather last summer ana spent most
during the winter months they seemed 10 no per-
fecty comfortable, and when the ground was frozen
hard and covered with snow they enjoyed their
meals better than at any other time
The animals have become comparatively tame
and know their keeper, but when the little ones
came last week Mr.. Morrison had great difficulty
I'm getting them because or the opposltlon on
the part OF the Before the little sickly one
could be taken away 10 be fed and warmed. the
mother had to be coaXed 10 leave the spot, ana
she has been ill-tempered ever since.
II is expected that the herd will he enlarged next
month by the arrival OF two calves.