New-York tribune., 1907-06-23
ALLIGATOR MOVING DAY
Lively Time Transferring Them to
Summer Pool an BrOnG Park.

Yesterday moving day for the alligators
and crocodiles in the Bronx Geological PARK
Preparations were begun early for the task
Mr. Ditmars curator of the snake house. mar
shalled his force. consisting of Charles Snyder
a keeper who looks after the welfare of the
crocodile family; 81 form of wheelbarrow' sew
eral lengths Of stout rope and pieces OF DuIlap'
The winter home of the alligatOrs and croco-
diles is in the reptile house, where they have q
large, deep pool of warm water In which 10
while away their dreary stime and dream OF
happy days spent the Nile and among the
Florida Keys While engaged in this pleasant
and effortlesS pastime their serenity was dls-
turbed yesterday. First Old Nose, dean OF the
settlement. suddenly became aware of a mighty
heave on one of his left legs and by the time
he could persuade his sleepy eyes to open he
found himself on the fiat Of his back. A lasso'
skilfully handled by Snyder, had been thrown
over his head and around his left leg. and, pull
and tug he might. he could not shake him
self free. While all the other members OF the
numerous family looked on in horror as they
their respected dad" lashing their quiet
pool into miniature maelstrom with his power
full tail, Old Nose was gradually drawn. tail
first from his beloved pool and relatives.
Once outside the wire netting. the troubles OF
Mr.. Ditmars and Snyder began to multiply.
Just when they were sure they had their victim
tightly bound. and had man9uvred with the
wheelbarrow to bring it into position
under his body. he gave dexterous sweep of his
tail and upset his captors. after which he pro-
ceeded to walk hurriedly back to that dear
pool" Quickly recovering, Ditmars and Snyder
again advanced To the attack After deS-
perate struggle they managed to pass an end Of
the rope around the long nose OF the crocodile.
Before the big fellow was finally landed In the
abandoned sea lion pool, which will he the
summer home of the family. he had managed to
slip off the little car which conveyed them five or
six times, and was recaptured only after stren-
uous eXertons upon the part OF Mr.. Snyder.
1t required more than two hours in which to
transport the family from the winter TO the
summer quarters. every crocodile and alligator
big or little, emulating the example OF their
Ilustrious dad. After several baskets of her
ring had been dumped into the large pool in the
new home and each member OF the family had
sUpped bountifully. peace reigned
Many of the alligatOrs were raised IN the
Geological Park from eggs which were got in
Florida, and other sections by Mr.. Snyder. These
eggs were found in large punches of decayed
grass and weeds and were sent up North in that
state. where they were allowed to lie in the rays
of the sun until the tiny alngators pecked their
way through the shells.
The smaller OF the alligators are not allowed
IN the sams pool with the older and larger
species for they would be used as a breakfast
food in short order by their hungry relatives
To do away with this difficulty. Mr.. Hornaday.
the park director. has had partition OF wire
netting constructed at one end Of the pool and
there the little fellows are safe from attack