KEPOKT OF THE SECKETAKY. 77 



Fioin theeffectsof intestinal parasites: Three Newfonndiand auil)(>u,:i littiTdfarctic 

 foxes, one adnlt fox, and onelnule deer. A number of otlier mule and other deer 

 were affected. These jiarasites. \vereJiiroy)al)ly introduced and disti-i])uted b\' prowl- 

 ing dogs. In order to extirpate them, the mule deer were treated and removed to 

 another paddock; their former paddock was then disinfected by burning over the 

 surface of the ground with a surface heater such as is used in repairing asplialt 

 pavements. 



B<nindary Jhicc. — In making up the estimates for the appropriations for the next 

 year, as for the jiast several years, the imperative need of a fence was again urged upon 

 Congress. No special appropriation was made, liowever, but it was understood that 

 the increase in the regular appropriation might be devoted to this purpose if the 

 Secretary saw fit. 



Attention has ])een called in previous reports to the fact that no a(le(iuate provision 

 for housing small tropical mammals exists in the i)ark. At present these animals are 

 confined in small cages, which are sometimes placed on the top of others, thus injur- 

 ing the appearance of the collection. The animals are also deprived of adequate 

 exercise. Their mortality is therefore unnecessarily great. The park receives every 

 yearaconsideral)le number of such animals, particularly from the new possessions of 

 the United States, and is very much embarrassed to find room for them. For those 

 at present at hand, not considering any future additions, there is n'(|uired a space of 

 140 linear feet of cages. It is recommended that Congress be asked to appropriate a 

 sufficient sum to build a suitable house for tropical mammals where they can be kept 

 in better health and comfort than they are now a])le to enjoy. 



No dei)artment of the jiark attracts more popular interest than the a(Hiarium, an<l 

 its educational value is cei'tainly very great. The present installation of this collec- 

 tion of salt-water and fresh-water species in a mere temporary shed is, however, so 

 entirely inadequate to its needs that I would urge the construction of a suitable build- 

 ing fitted with permanent tanks, heating and refrigerating apparatus, and open pools. 



In. accordance with the Secretary's wish to see a larger development given to the 

 salt-water fauna, a concrete tank, covered with a glass roof, was built for the storage 

 of sea water, and the north side of the building will 1)e devoted to this part of the 

 exhilntion. A new filter has been [trovided, and other minor improvements have 

 been made. 



Another important need is a reptile house where the great tortoises, crocodiles, 

 alligators, Ixjas, |)ythons, anacondas and other reptiles belonging to the collection can 

 be exhil)ited, and where other specimens obtained from time to time can 1)e housed. 

 These reptiles are now placed in the same house with the lions, tigers, and other cats. 



The park very much needs an aviary for small terrestial birds. The ])resent bir<l 

 house in almost entirely occupied by struthious and aquatic; birds, the song birds 

 being wholly unrepresented. In connection with such an aviary there should be 

 built a flying-cage of moderate size, with a tunnel of cage work througli which the 

 public can walk, surrounded by singing birds flitting about in every direction. 



The collection of wolves and foxes has hitherto been kept in a series of temporary 

 pens near the principal animal house. These inclosures are far from satisfactory, as 

 they soon l)econie dilapidated and permit the animals to dig out or break thi'ough. 

 New and permanent quarters for these animals slutuld be erected in some suitable 

 part of the park. 



The sea-lions and seals now iri the park are not provided with proper quarters. 

 As the turbidity of the water in the large pool seriously injured them they have 

 recently been confined in cages l)uilt for the bears near the Quarry Road entrance. 

 They have here only very small basins of water and are not able to swim about at 

 all. Houses and a pond of filtered water should be jjiovided for them. 



The attendance of visitors at the park has been steadily increasing. At [iresent the 

 average daily nmal,)er of visito:-; is larger than ever before, and 0:1 several occasions 

 30,000 persons have been in tlu' i)ark in a single day. This increase in attendance 



