SECRETARY'S REPORT 113 



for information that there is now need for an additional scientist to 

 share the load of answering queries and to assist in other administra- 

 tive work so that the Director and Assistant Director can devote more 

 time to general supervision of the Zoo. 



One additional general mechanic is needed to assist the maintenance 

 personnel in what has hitherto been a losing race in trying to keep pace 

 with natural deterioration in the structures. The newest of the ex- 

 hibition buildings are 17 years old, the reptik house is 23 years old, 

 and the bird house is 26 years old. The minimum, of maintenance has 

 fully occupied the mechanical force, mainly on the larger structures, 

 so that there has been almost no opportunity to take care of the lesser 

 structures such as paddocks and outside cages, with the result that an 

 increasing number of these are unusable. 



Two additional permanent laborers are needed for proper mainte- 

 nance, removal of dead or fallen tree limbs and other safety hazards, 

 and repair of walks, guard rails, and other structures, for the protec- 

 tion of the public. 



To comply with the requirements of keeping property and inventory 

 records, in accordance with the program laid down by tlie General 

 Services Administration, by authority of Federal Property and Ad- 

 ministrative Services Act of 1949 (Public Law 152, 81st Congress, ap- 

 proved June 30, 1949), General Regulation 100 of the General Ac- 

 counting Office, and Budget-Treasury Regulation No. 1, there is 

 need for three additional clerks. 



ANIMALS IN THE COLLECTION ON JUNE 30, 1954 



MAMMALS 



MONOTREMATA 

 Scientific name Common name Number 



Tachyglossidae: 



Tachyglossus aculeatus Echidna, or spiny anteater 2 



MARSUPIALIA 



Didelphiidae: 



Caluromys philander Woolly opossum 2 



Didelphis marsupialis virginiana Opossum 2 



Marmosn miiis Mouse opossum 3 



Phalangeridae: 



Petaurus norfolcensis Australian "flying" phalanger_. 5 



Trichosurus vidpecula Australian long-eared opossum, 2 



Phascolomidae: 



Lasiorhinus laiifrons Hairy-nosed wombat.^ 3 



Vombatus hirsutus Mainland wombat 1 



Macropodidae: 



Dendrolagus inustus New Guinea tree kangaroo 1 



Tir ■ , / Great grav kangaroo 4 



Macropus gxganteus 1 Albino great gray kangaroo 1 



Macropus rufus Great red kangaroo 1 



Wallahia ayilis Agile wallaby 2 



INSECTIVORA 



Soricidae: 



Blarina brevicauda Greater short-tailed shrew 1 



