REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. '2 ( 



egg of the gigantic bird of Madagascar, the Aepyoniis, the egg meas- 

 uring about a foot long. ^ 



The Children's Room in th^;, Institution is reproduced in full size, 

 together with its cases, 'aquaria, l)ird cages, decorations, and as many 

 of the o))jects as could be duplicated. There is thus shown a lillipu- 

 tian nuiseum which has proved very attractive to the older as well as 

 younger visitors to the Exposition. 



A gigantic bird cage, in which many species of birds have almost as 

 much freedom of movement as if they were without restraint by bars 

 and nets, illustrates the National Zoological Park. 



The colh'ctions are mentioned with somewhat more detail in tln^ 

 Appendix, and in the report by Doctor True, to be published later in 

 another volume, full details will be given of these exhil)its as well as 

 descriptions of some great models of Mayan temples of Yucatan, 

 shown b}^ the Bureau of American Ethnology. 



Lewii< and Clarh Exposition. — Congress during the past year made 

 provision for a Government exhibit at an exposition to be opened at 

 Portland, Oreg., in May, 1905, to conunemorate the centennial of the 

 Lewis and Clark Expedition to the Northwest, and Dr. F. W. True 

 has been designated as representative of the Institution to prepare a 

 suitable Smithsonian exhibit. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



University of Wisconsin. — Dr. .fames H. Angeil, president of the 

 Universit}' of Michigan and Regent of the Smithsonian Institution, 

 represented the Institution at the celebration of the tiftieth anniver- 

 sary of the first commencement of the University of Wisconsin, held 

 at Madison during the week beginning June 5, 1904:, and presented 

 the congratulations, signed by the Secretary, in the following form: 



The SinithHoniaii Institiiti<jn exteixls U) the jn-esident, tlie regents, and the facnlty 

 of the University of Wisconsin its congratuhitions on the oceasion of the tiftieth anni- 

 versary of the first commencement of tiie nniversity. It felicitates the university on 

 the important work accompHshed ])y it for learning and education in the State of 

 Wisconsin, and, recognizing its influence also in sister institutions of learning, sends 

 heartiest wishes for its continui'd prosi)erity and usefulness. 



NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



The most notable event of the year was that on June 15, 1904, 

 ground was ])roken for the new Museum building which was author- 

 ized b}^ act of Congress approved March 3, 1903, the first sod l)eing 

 turned by me in the presence of the architects, the superintendiMit of 

 construction, and the officers and empl()3'ees of the Institution and 

 its dependencies. The new structure will be (M-(M'led on the north- 

 ern side of the Smithsonian Park and will he about 551 feet lono- 



