106 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



The appropriation for the National Zoological Park for the fiscal year 



l'.KH was as follows: 



For continuing the construction of roads, walks, bridges, water supply, 

 sewerage and drainage; and for grading, planting, and otherwise improv- 

 ing the grounds; erecting and repairing buildings and inclosures; care, 

 subsistence, purchase, and transportation of animals, including salaries or 

 compensation of all necessary employees; the purchase of necessary books 

 and periodicals, and general incidental expenses not otherwise provided 

 for, seventy-five thousand dollars; one-half of which sum shall be paid 

 from the revenues of the District of Columbia and the other half from the 

 Treasury of the United States; and of the sum hereby appropriated live 

 thousand dollars shall be used for continuing the entrance into the Zoolog- 

 ical Park from Cathedral avenue and opening driveway into Zoological 

 Park, including necessary grading and removal of earth: Provided, That 

 the unexpended balance of the amounts, aggregating eight thousand dol- 

 lars, heretofore appropriated for widening, grading, and regulating Adams 

 Mill road from Columbia road to the Zoological Park entrance is hereby 

 reappropriated, to he expended under the direction of the Commissioners 

 of the District of Columbia; and that the control of Adams Mill road is 

 hereby vested in the said Commissioners, and all proceedings necessary to 

 purchase or condemn the land necessary to widen said road as authorized 

 by act approved March third, eighteen hundred and ninety-nine, provid- 

 ing for sundry civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ending 

 June thirtieth, nineteen hundred, and for other purposes, shall he taken 

 by said Commissioners. (Sundry civil act, June l>, 1900.) 



From this the following improvements have been made in the buildings 

 and grounds during the year: 



Temporary bird house. — A much-needed structure to accommodate struthi- 

 01 is and other large birds. As it was deemed inadvisable to expend money 

 for a permanent structure at this time, a cheap frame construction was 

 used, the sides of which were treated with pebble-dash and the roof made 

 of asphalted felt covered with crushed slag. The interior work of the 

 house is better in quality than would he expected from the exterior, the 

 cages being commodious, of good material, with neat finish, and each sup- 

 plied with direct sunlight from a skylight. It is heated by a steam boiler 

 already in the possession of the park, having been formerly used in the 

 principal animal house. The building being very low is easily heated dur- 

 ing winter, but is very hot in summer. It* internal appearance is quite 

 satisfactory, and the birds have been much more healthy since they have 

 been transferred to it. For diving birds two aquarium tanks were intro- 

 duced, in order that their evolutions under water might be seen by the 

 public. This extremely interesting feature might be enlarged with great 

 advantage. To be effective the water supplying the tanks should he per- 

 fectly clear and limpid. This can only lie done by means of a good filter. 

 The cost of this bird house was $3,500. 



flying cage. — Another structure relating to birds has been devised and the 

 construction begun during the present year. This is a large flying cage, 158 

 by 50 by 50 feet. It is intended to supply the cage with running water, 

 and it is hoped that herons and other aquatic species may nest within 

 its limits. The total cost of this structure is estimated at £i;,L'<>0, only a 

 portion of which will be expended from the appropriation for L901. 



The principal animal house. — The roof of this house was repaired and a 

 portion of if replaced. Additional heating coils were placed at the north 

 end, and the outside range of cages was repainted; all at a total cost of $500. 



