SECRETARY'S REPORT 175 



Table 2. — Comparison of 1958 and 1959 rainfall, Barro Colorado Island {inches) 



BUILDINGS, EQUIPMENT, AND IMPROVEMENTS 



The most unusual event on Barro Colorado Island during the past 

 3^ear was a series of landslides on December 7, 1959, after five days 

 of nearly continuous rain. 



Before the landslides occurred, improvement and expansion of the 

 station facilities were proceeding according to plan: the remodeling 

 of Chapman House had been completed ; new cages and aviaries had 

 been constructed; and plans had been drawn for remodeling tlie 

 laboratory space in the new laboratory building and the living facili- 

 ties in the old laboratory building. Although this progress was inter- 

 rupted by the landslides, fortimately no one was injured and little 

 equipment was destroyed; one major slide and two minor ones oc- 

 curred in the station area itself and numerous others occurred in other 

 parts of the island but the only items damaged beyond repair were 

 two large hygrothermographs and one hygrograph, and one large 

 aviary and pond for water birds. 



The slides did, however, alter the topogi'aphy of the station area, 

 necessitating the following program of repair and reconstruction: 



Demolition and re-erection of Barbour House and of one house used 

 as quarters for the laborers. 



Dredging of the channels leading to the station boat dock. 



Relocation of several poles supporting electrical cables. 



