NEW YORK CITY - Bronx Zoo / Zoological Park - Pheasants Aviary & Wild Fowl Pond:  In 1895, a group made up largely of members of the Boone and Crockett Club founded the New York Zoological Society (later renamed the Wildlife Conservation Society) for the purposes of founding a zoo, promoting the study of zoology, and preserving wildlife.   Credit for this belonged chiefly to Club members Madison Grant and C. Grant LaFarge.  The zoo (sometimes called the Bronx Zoological Park  and the Bronx Zoological Gardens ) opened its doors to the public on November 8, 1899, featuring 843 animals in 22 exhibits. Its first director was William Temple Hornaday, who had 30 years of service at the zoo.  Heins & LaFarge designed the original permanent buildings.   It is a zoo within Bronx Park in the Bronx, New York. It is one of the largest zoos in the United States by area and is the largest metropolitan zoo in the United States by area, comprising 265 acres (107 ha) of park lands and naturalistic habitats separated by the Bronx River. On average, the zoo has 2.15 million visitors each year as of 2009.  The zoo's original permanent buildings, known as Astor Court, were designed as a series of Beaux-Arts pavilions grouped around the large circular sea lion pool.  The Rainey Memorial Gates were designed by sculptor Paul Manship in 1934 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.  The zoo opened on November 8, 1899, featuring 843 animals in 22 exhibits.  This Divided Back Era (1907-15) postcard is in good condition, but shows some edge wear.  American Colortype Company.  N.Y. C.  No. 2152B.