1907* Proceedings of Irish Societies. 127 



Special attention deserves to be drawn to the addition to the Haughton 

 House. Members of the Society are now provided with a special room 

 for their own use, where letters can bew T ritten, and books and periodicals 

 on natural history consulted, and where they may bring their friends. 



The large aviary which had been begun in 1905 was completed last 

 year, and it is probably one of the largest structures of the kind in 

 Europe. One Committee of the Council had charge of the internal 

 fittings of that aviary, another superintended its being stocked with 

 suitable birds. A fine view of it accompanies the Report. 



As the Giraffe is rapidly growing, it was found desirable to effect some 

 structural alterations in the Giraffe House so. as to allow it to enter its 

 sleeping quarters in comfort. New 7 walks were constructed on the far 

 side of the lake, and numerous minor repairs have been carried out 

 during the year to the houses and general fencing, while the construction 

 of new walks and plantations has added to the beauty of the Gardens. 



The Ladies' Committee (to whom the Council entrusted the manage- 

 ment of the Refreshment Room when the latter was taken over from 

 the contractor some two years ago), after putting the department in 

 excellent working order, retired in the spring, as they felt that their help 

 was no longer needed and that in future this branch of the Society's work 

 could be successfully carried on by a competent lady directly responsible 

 to the Council. 



On the occasion of the arrival of the Earl of Aberdeen as Lord 

 Lieutenant, a suitable address of welcome was prepared by the Council 

 and accepted by the Viceroy. 



The Council have had an illustrated guide to the Gardens prepared 

 during the year. So as to place it within the reach of all the visitors to 

 the Gardens, it is on sale at the gate and in the refreshment room at the 

 moderate charge of one penny. The Council are particularly indebted 

 to Mr. D H. Leonard, who organised a Christmas party this year for the 

 staff of the Gardens and their families. Their thanks are also due to 

 Messrs. Palgrave, Murphy, and Co., and the t City of Dublin Steamship 

 Company for the generous arrangements they have made in connection 

 with the transit of animals. 



The Society's "Lion Industry" continued to flourish in 1906, the 

 number of cubs born during the year being nine. Two of these were 

 born in the out-door cage, where the3^ were successfully reared, the 

 male being still in the Gardens, whilst the female w r as sent to India. 

 This being the first record of the birth of Lions in an unheated house, 

 open da}' and night, deserves to be placed on record. The male cub 

 was remarkable in being very darkly spotted all over. Numerous appli- 

 cations were received from many parts of the w r orld for Irish Lion cubs. 

 The Irish Lion has thus been sent to almost all quarters of the globe — 

 to India, Burmah, France, Germany, Scotland, and England. It is in- 

 teresting to note that some Prairie Marmots, which are natives of North 

 America, gave birth to a number of young in the Rodent Enclosure. 



The number of adult Lions at present in the collection is six males 

 and seven females, while seven cubs are also to be seen. 



