APPENDIX IV.

REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL

PARK.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the National Zoological Park for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1896:

Considerable attention has been paid during the year to the improvement of the grounds and the construction of roads authorized by Congress. The principal road of the park, which runs from the Quarry road westward to Connecticut avenue extended, has been improved over a part of its course by a good layer of macadam. It would have been well to have completed the macadamizing, but the funds at the disposal of the park did not permit this, and it will be deferred until next year. Work has been continued upon the driveway that proceeds from the Woodley road into the park. It will be remembered that the Woodley road lies so far above the level of the park that the construction of this driveway made necessary a heavy filling of earth. This is very unsightly, as the slopes are abrupt and difficult to modify by planting. If it is to remain where it now is, a sufficient amount of earth should be added to make the slopes easy and natural. The amount appropriated was insufficient to complete the fill so as to make an easy grade and neither macadam nor gutters have been provided, so that the road washes badly during the winter storms and is impracticable for pleasure driving during wet and freezing weather. It is, however, passable from the Woodley Bridge as far as Rock Creek. It has been decided to restore the old Adams Mill road upon practically its former line. The configuration of the ground forbids making this the ordinary width of the roads of the park, the hillside on which it is built being quite steep at certain places, but a satisfactory driveway can be constructed. The survey of this work was completed and a contract for it prepared before the close of the fiscal year. The road will be well macadamized, with a top dressing of pulverized limestone. Retaining walls will be built where necessary, and the whole will be properly guttered and protected.

A number of interesting features have been added to the park, either for the purpose of beautifying it or for the convenience and accommodation of the animals. Two small fish ponds have been built near the Quarry road entrance, the banks in the neighborhood of the seal pond have been dressed and planted, and the débris from the intercepting sewer has been removed.

The accompanying illustrations show what has been done in preserving the native beauty of the Park. The first of these shows a rustic bridge formed of bowlders thrown across a little chasm cut out by a small stream that falls into Rock Creek. This has taken the place of an unsightly wooden bridge. Another picture shows where a small artificial pond for waterfowl empties into Rock Creek. The great advantage of such treatment is in the fact that it harmonizes with the surrounding scenery, and the visitor need not realize that any interference with the natural features has occurred, while the surface after treatment presents a striking contrast with the raw and denuded condition of those localities where engineering work has been carried on without regard to final effect.

The principal animal house has been greatly improved by the construction of commodious exterior cages into which the animals can pass whenever the weather is

suitable. Water is provided for each of these, and shade trees, suitably protected, have been planted in them, so that it is believed that they will add greatly to the comfort of the animals. Another very important improvement in this house has been effected by repairing the roof of the extension and rearranging the heating apparatus so as to adequately warm it. Although more habitable than before, it is not yet by any means a satisfactory building for tender animals, and it is hoped that this extension may at no distant day be rebuilt of stone, so as to correspond with the remainder of the house.

Perhaps the most urgent need of the park at the present time is the erection of buildings in which animals requiring varied conditions of exposure can be properly treated. At present there are practically but two conditions provided, those for animals that live out of doors during the entire winter and those of animals that require heat but are able to endure considerable changes of temperature. There is no provision for animals that live in close tropical climates where the heat varies but little.

Birds and monkeys and other animals from the valleys of the Amazon and the Orinoco find rapid changes very unfavorable. Besides this, it is impossible to give proper attention to the natural habits and idiosyncrasies of animals when they are kept promiscuously within a single inclosure. Timid animals suffer greatly when put in a house with large carnivorous beasts. The sight of such animals terrifies them and the cries of creatures whom they instinctively recognize as their natural enemies sometimes affects them so that they die from fright. A new building for monkeys and birds and a new elephant house are greatly needed.

The quarters for hardy animals are not in every respect what they should be. The principal defect is in the bear yards and dens in the abandoned quarry, near the main entrance to the park. These are too damp in winter and too hot in summer for the health of the animals, and are really unsuitable for them. One of the cages has become dangerous, because of the falling into it of large masses of rock. While they are picturesque and striking, much better quarters could be devised for the animals in other parts of the park. Upon some heavily wooded and cool slope an inclosure of considerable size could be made, so that they could be constantly upon the natural ground. Dry shelters could be provided either in hollow trees or by adapting crevices of rocks. In such a yard a considerable number of bears could be placed under conditions very similar to those of their native wilds. If care were taken to select young animals that were properly tamed before being placed in the inclosure, they would never have any fear of the public and would form an attractive exhibit.

The buffalo yards should be much larger than at present. As the animals destroy every green thing within reach, their paddocks soon present a very bare and forlorn appearance. This could be partially avoided by having two sets of paddocks, one of which could be occupied while the other was being allowed to recover from hard usage. If the paddocks were larger, there would be less danger of the animals injuring each other in their frequent conflicts. The largest bull of the herd was killed during the year by the attack of one of the smaller ones, who determined to contest his supremacy, and the small size of the inclosure prevented him from getting away from his antagonist.

The need of a proper public comfort house at the park is even more pressing each year as the number of visitors increases.

Some deaths of animals have occurred from accidental causes. A fine sea-lioness was killed by the accidental explosion of a large quantity of dynamite near the pond when she was swimming. This dynamite was to be used by the workmen employed in excavating for the intercepting sewer that passes through the park. The shock of the explosion was heard all over the city. The sea-lioness was not immediately killed, but died within twenty-four hours of the occurrence.

The beavers of the park are kept in two inclosures, and in both of these have built themselves dams and shelters. It is found, however, that care must be taken to

select them from a single family, as otherwise they fight viciously. Four beavers died during the year from wounds received from their companions. The fence of the larger inclosure must be made much stronger, as it is found that they gnaw through an ordinary wire mesh-work.

There are appended hereto tables showing the animals in the collection at the close of the fiscal year, and the various accessions during the year.