256 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1924 



the receiving port. From here they are scattered to retail dealers, 

 zoological gardens, private fanciers, and shows throughout the coun- 

 try. 



A large part of this trade consists of canary birds, parrots, and 

 other popular cage birds and pets, but some very large shipments 

 are made up almost entirely of larger mammals, reptiles, and rare 

 and unusual birds. Some of the largest shipments received in the 

 United States have been brought by traders who travel about, from 

 country to country, buying and selling such wild animals as they 

 can secure. The capital required for such trading is large and the 

 risks are great. Only a few of the most expert and energetic of 

 men are able to carry on such a roving business successfully without 

 the added regular trade in staple species enjoyed by the regularly 

 established dealers. 



The National Zoological Park, through its parent organization, the 

 Smithsonian Institution, receives numerous animals as gifts to the 

 United States Government from foreign governments and scientific 

 societies, and from American consuls stationed in out-of-the-way 

 regions. The original act of Congress, in which the National Zo- 

 ological Park was placed under the direction of the Smithsonian 

 Institution, authorized and directed the heads of executive depart- 

 ments of the Government to " cause to be rendered all necessary and 

 practicable aid " to the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution in 

 the acquisition of collections for the Zoological Park. Especially 

 fine collections of rare and valuable animals have been received 

 through the efforts of American consuls and through transfer from 

 bureaus of other executive departments. Numerous animals pre- 

 sented by other governments or by individuals to the President of 

 the United States have been transferred to the park. Notable col- 

 lections of this kind were the gifts of rare animals sent by the late 

 Emperor Menelik of Abyssinia to President Roosevelt. A magnifi- 

 cent Somaliiand ostrich, included among these gifts from Menelik 

 in 1904, is, by the way, still living in the collection. The Canadian, 

 New Zealand, and other Governments have sent shipments of de- 

 sirable animals not otherwise obtainable. Patriotic American 

 travelers in foreign lands frequently collect or purchase strange 

 animals and bring or ship them to the National Zoological Park. 

 Many animals are received in exchange from other gardens, often 

 through the importers or dealers, who can readily handle the sur- 

 plus stock reared in the park. Certain reliable animal firms in San 

 Francisco and New York receive and care for shipments of ani- 

 mals for the National Zoological Park. The animals are in such 

 cases usually given a period of rest and special treatment before 

 beine forwarded on to Washington. 



