70 REPOET OF THE SECRETARY. 



For some years past the want of sufficient accommodations for the animals at the 

 park has been severely felt. This need seemed during the past season so urgent that 

 all other objects not imperatively necessary for the maintenance of the collection 

 were deferred, and the available resources were applied to the erection of a new 

 house for mammals. 



After consultation with Mr. F. L. Olmsted a site for the structure was selected 

 near the principal animal house, in the situation shown in the accompanying plat 

 (PI. I). It was decided to build it of stone, using the same gray gneiss, found in the 

 region of Rock Creek, that was used in building the principal house. A plan of the 

 main floor of the structure is shown herewith (PL II). Its dimensions are as follows: 



In.side. 



Outside. 



Length of rectangle. 

 Width of rectangle . 



Extreme length 



Extreme width 



On reference to the accompanying plan it will be seen that the cages for the ani- 

 mals are arranged so as to be accessible from both front and rear. Small movable 

 passageways will connect these inner cages with those to be constructed about the 

 exterior of the building, stretching in each case across the service passage in the 

 rear. The V>uilding will be lighted almost wholly by skylights, situated over the 

 cages, so that the animals are in full light while the public is in comparative 

 obscurity. 



A contract was made for the walls of this building February 5, 1904. These walls 

 were completed June 15, 1904, at a cost of $(5,573. Other contracts have been made 

 as follows: 



For the structural ironwork $7, 662 



For the tile roof 4, 495 



It is hoped that the iron work will be completed by October 31, 1904, and the 

 tiling about a month later. 



It is estimated that the total cost of the building will be about $40,000. 



Fitltng up old elephant house. — To supply temporarily the accommodations so 

 badly needed for small mammals, the barn formerly occupied by the elephant was 

 repaired and fitted up for this class of animals. It furnishes 23 cages. This cost $500. 



New boiler in antelope house. — The heating boiler in the antelope house was one 

 which had previously served for some years in the Smithsonian Institution building. 

 At the close of the winter of 1902-3 it was found to be so badly corroiled that it could 

 no longer be used. A new vertical boiler was put in at a cost of $250. 



New inclosurefor buffaloes. — The buffalo paddocks on the steep northeastern slope 

 of the narrow valley of Rock Creek were not sanitary. As a herd from Messrs. Cody 

 and Bailey was accepted on deposit, it was necessary to construct a new inclosure on 

 the hill near the Connecticut Avenue entrance. This was fenced with the posts and 

 woven-wire fencing from the old i)addocks, the cost of the paddock and shelter being 

 $500. 



New raccoon tree. — The large tulip poplar, wiiich had bi'en (x-cupied by the raccoons 

 for a number of years, finally died. It was not in good condition when the park was 

 established, and a heavy fill of earth had been made over its roots. To replace this 

 a large oak was moved during the winter, and a new fence was built. This cost $500. 



Repair and alteration of Adams Mill road. — The portion of Adams Mill road from the 

 foot of the hill to the log bridge was in bad shape from irregular settling. During 



