108 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1954 



connection with this, 19 metal skylights were reconstructed and set 

 with copper flashings ; and 4 new gutters were installed. 



4. Installation of 300 linear feet of new paddock fencing with sup- 

 porting posts in front of the South American camel paddocks, and 

 filling the moat (which had proved unsatisfactory), thereby slightly 

 increasing the size of the paddocks and permitting the animals to 

 come closer to the public. 



5. Construction of two concrete shelters in the waterfowl enclosure 

 for the protection of the birds. 



6. Installation of automatic heat-regulating devices in the lion 

 house. 



7. Adaptation and installation of a small cooling unit in the lower 

 portion of one small cage in the reptile house to provide conditions 

 suitable for the rare New Zealand tuatara, a lizardlike reptile. 



8. Slight alteration of a cage in the small-mammal house and in- 

 stallation of an air-conditioned unit for the sea otters. 



9. Extension, under contract, of a steam line and wet-return line 

 from the small-mammal house to the bird house, a distance of 1,200 

 feet. It is believed that this will provide much more reliable heating 

 of the bird house at less cost than was possible with the separate oil- 

 heating plant that was in the bird house. Certainly it eliminates the 

 need for replacement of the boilers and burners in that building. 



Along the north side of the road, from the mountain sheep moun- 

 tain to the South American camel group, a hazardous condition for 

 pedestrians has existed for many years. To view the animals from 

 that side of the road, visitors have had to walk in the street. In 

 December 1953 work was started on filling in the ravine along the road 

 at this point, and by the end of the fiscal year this had progressed 

 far enough to provide pedestrians with plenty of space off the roadway 

 and also parking space for 50 passenger cars. When the fill is com- 

 pleted there will be additional parking space for more cars for a 

 period of a year or two while the fill is settling. Then at least six 

 good-size paddocks can be constructed on it, and sufficient space for a 

 sidewalk and parking for 50 additional cars. Even in its incomplete 

 state this is a great improvement in both attractiveness and utility and 

 is being accomplished without cost to the Government. 



Over a period of years there has been a gradual increase in the 

 amount of trimming of trees necessary along the roads, walks, and 

 paths, and in the exhibition area. Because of disease or age, some 

 of the trees are dying and must be cut down. Others must be trimmed 

 to remove dead or broken limbs that might fall and injure people or 

 animals, or damage automobiles or structures. 



The job of cleaning up the grounds is a major undertaking. Using 

 all available manpower, it usually takes 5 to 10 days to pick up the 

 trash and restore the Park to a fair degree of presentability after 



