SECRETARY'S REPORT 



115 



REPTILES 



Scienlific name Common name 



Agkisirodon mokeson Copperhead snake 



Agkistrodon piscivorus Cottonmouth moccasin. 



Bids arietans Puff adder 



Constrictor constrictor Boa constrictor 



Number 



10 



1 



33 



54 



It is particularly gratifying that the original pair of big-eared 

 foxes {Otocyon megalotis) produced their second litter and raised 

 them successfully, and that three young were hatched from the eggs 

 laid by the original pair of tiger bitterns {Tigrisoma lineatum). 



STATUS OF THE COLLECTION 



SUMMARY 



Animals on hand July 1, 1950 2, 821 



Accessions during the year 1, 768 



Total number of animals in collection during the year 4, 589 



Removals for various reasons such as death, exchanges, return of animals 

 on deposit, etc 1, 776 



In collection on June 30, 1951 2, 813 



MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS 



In July 1950 a portion of the arched acoustical block ceiling in the 

 large-mammal house fell. The building was immediately closed to 

 the public, and the Public Buildings Administration was requested 

 to make a study of the condition to determine the extent of the neces- 

 sary repairs and how best to do them. On their advice a deficiency 

 appropriation of $63,000 was obtained, and the work of repairing the 

 entire ceiling was undertaken under a contract handled by the Public 

 Buildings Administration. Most of the work was completed by June 

 30, 1951. 



Progress was made during the year in repairing and improving 

 buildings, cages, roads, and walks. New bear cages were built in the 

 line above the reptile house; 2,000 linear feet of 7-foot fence around 

 four deer and mountain-sheep paddocks were replaced ; the steel frame 

 of the silver-gull cage was repaired and painted, and the cage was 

 re-covered with new wire fabric ; the wolf and fox cages were exten- 

 sively repaired ; a new shelter house was constructed for the wild hog; 



