EEPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 27 



NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 



The accessions to the collections in the National Zoological Park 

 during the past year aggregated 510 animals, including 25 species 

 not already represented; 350 of these were obtained by purchase, 

 exchange, or as gifts, and 108 were born and hatclied in the park. 

 The total collection on June 30 numbered 1,551 individual animals, 

 representing 381 species of mammals, birds, and reptiles, an increase 

 of 137 over the preceding year. The more important additions were 

 2 elephant seals and 4 northern fur seals, 8 white pelicans, and a pair 

 each of Brazilian tapirs, Patagonian cavies, and Chilean eagles. 

 The number of visitors was 542,738, or a daily average of 1,487. 

 The largest number in any one month was 95,485, in April, 1912. 

 That the educational value of the park is appreciated is indicated 

 by the fact that it was visited by 4,140 pupils, representing 142 

 schools and classes from the District of Columbia and neighboring 

 States, and from Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, and Tennessee. 



Although each year some improvements are made as regards the 

 accommodation of the collections and the comfort of visitors, yet 

 much remains to be done before the park can be brought to a condi- 

 tion that would properly be expected in a zoological park maintained 

 by this great nation. The most important improvement of the year 

 was the construction of a fireproof building for a central heating 

 plant, in which are installed two pairs of boilers for alternate use as 

 repairs or cleaning become necessary. A yard and bathing pool was 

 also constructed for the use of the hippopotamus and the tapirs; 

 three small inclosures were built for semiaquatic animals; and various 

 other additional structures were built, as enumerated by the super- 

 intendent in his report on another page. 



I have for several years called attention to the urgent need of a 

 suitable aviary for the fine series of birds in the collection. A suit- 

 able structure for this purpose is estimated to cost about $80,000. 

 Around this large aviary would be grouped the cages for the eagles, 

 vultures, condors, and owls, now scattered irregailarl}^ about the 

 grounds. 



The superintendent in his report calls attention also to several other 

 desirable measures for the betterment of the park. 



The Biological Survey of the Department of Agriculture, in coop- 

 ei'ation with tlie Zoological Park, is carrying on some exj^eriments 

 in breeding mink with a view to ascertaining the possibilities of rear- 

 ing them in captivity for commercial purposes. The main object in 

 view is to secure data relative to the Ix^st methods of rearing mink 

 for their fur, especially as to details of housing, feeding, mating, and 

 caring for them. 



