EEPOET OF THE SECRETAHY 



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IMPROVEMENTS 



The most interesting event of recent years has been the opening of 

 the public exhibition building for reptiles, amphibians, insects, and 

 miscellaneous invertebrates. The construction of this building was 

 started in March, 1930, and the exhibition was formally opened the 

 evening of February 27, 1931. Some 3,000 people attended the re- 

 ception, and the following day the building was crowded from morn- 

 ing to night. The formal opening was attended by a large number 

 of officials of the United States Govermnent and officials of other 

 zoos who were particularly interested in the building. Among the 

 latter were Dr. W. Eeid Blair, director of the New York Zoological 

 Park; C. Emerson Brown, director of the Philadelphia Zoological 

 Garden; George P. Vierheller, director of the St. Louis Zoological 

 Garden; Dan Harkins, director of Franklin Park Zoo, Boston; and 

 Dr. Raymond L. Ditmars, curator of reptiles, New York Zoological 

 Park. 



Since its opening it has been by far the most popular and crowded 

 building in the entire Zoo. Natural habitat for the reptiles has 

 been provided as far as possible. There is a special ventilating sys- 

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