The Washington times., 1901-09-15
BIsoNs' FIERCE DUEL.
BuffaIoes Fight to a Finish In the
New York Zoo.

| There was an exciting time at the New
| York Geological Park, in the Bronx, yes
terday afternoon. when two huge bull
buffaloes fought to a finish for the su-
preuIacy of the range. The contest which
| lasted for half an hour. took place in the
presence of hundreds OF spectators, and
resulted in the goring Of Antonio. who
attempted to usurp the powers of the
leader of the herd. Black Beauty.
In the buffalo range. which is situated
at the extreme southeastern portion of
the park, are fifteen fu.l-grown buffaloes
and two calves. These have always rec
ognized Black Beauty as their leader.
About three months ago Antonio was
taken i'll and removed from the range. DIR.
Miller diagnosed his trouble as CASTRO
enteritis, and gave him every attention,
with the result that about three weeks
ago Antonio was returned to the range
with his companions of the prairie. A few
days ago the keepers noticed that Black
Beauty and Antonio were not on the best
of terms and that they carefully avoided
each other. On Monday they made sew
eral rushes with lowered heads, but the
climax did not come until about o'clock
yesterday afternoon. when. without
warning Antonio, with a series of bel
lows that aroused the entire animal popu-
lation of the park, made desperate rush
at Black Beauty. who was browsing in
some grass in one corner of the range.
Black Beauty, with a quick movement
sideways. avoided the onslaught, and
then turned on his opponent. The two
enormous heads came together with a
terrific crash, but it had no apparent ef-
feet on the beasts. Again they backed
off for distance of about fifty feet, paw
ing the ground and bellow;t.g hoarsely-
The remainder of the herd huddled in a
corner, with the exception of Bonita.
whose fighting proclivities are well es-
tablished, as she has not only asserted
her right on several occasions, but some
months ago tossed the cook, Rudolph
Bull. SO high that he thought he was
never going TO reach terra firpla again
Bonita stood boldly out in the field of
combat, and seemed inclined to assist
Black Beauty.
BY this time word had gone through the
park that buffalo fight was In progress,
and a great crowd collected to witness it.
Keepers Mulvehill and McEnroe, armed
with long pike poles. boldly entered the
range and made for the combatants, who
by this time were fairly making the
ground tremble with their rushes and
stamping of hoofs. Black Beauty receiv-
ed a blow that staggered him for an in
slant, and Bonita rushed to his aid but
she was driven back by the keepers. The
prods of the pike poles seemed to have no
effect on the enraged duelists. who contin-
ued to fight viciously. until Black Beauty.
with a desperate rush. planted his right
horn in Antonio's side. throwing him to
the ground. where he lay motionless
Black Beauty surveyed his fallen enemy
for moment and then walked majesti-
caIIy away, Bonita following close at his
hoofs and beliowing loudly.
Antonio soon revived and was removed
from the range. 1t was found that he had
a tear in his side just below the shoulder,
three and half inches long and very
deep. The wound is considered dangerous
but not necessarily fatal Hereafter An
tonic. if he survives, will have portion
OF the range partitioned off for his own
use-New York Times.