REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 37 



ral conditions. These desiderata for the animals may be combined with 

 landscape eti'ects; with stretches of meadow and wooded hillsides, 

 with overhaugiug- cliits and running- water, with dense shade and sunny 

 slopes; such as can not fail to prove a lasting advantage and pleasure 

 to the public. 



It is obvious that care should be taken to develop this park along 

 the lines which the natural conditions so clearly indicate, and that it 

 would be a mistake to nuir its beauty by huddling the buildings together, 

 and by crowding the animals into small and uncomfortable quarters. 



Having always in mind that the original object of the park was the 

 preservation of American animals, it is intended to make that a princi- 

 pal matter of consideration ; yet it must be remembered that even in 

 the interest of North American zoology, comparative studies can not 

 be properly carried on without a certain proportion of animals belong- 

 ing to the Old World. It is to be exjiected, therefore, that a certain 

 number of foreign animals will be included in the collection when they 

 can be advantageously obtained. 



The Yellowstone National Park has always been regarded as an 

 important x>reserve, from which supplies could be drawn for the 

 National Zoological Park. Its distance and the cost of transportation 

 have prevented its use to so great an extent as could be wished; 

 yet there have been received from it during the year a total of 28 

 animals, among which were a flue herd of young elk. In order to 

 properly utilize the resources of the Yellowstone Park, it will probably 

 be necessary to construct there a corral of considerable extent, into 

 which wild animals can be driven, inclosed, fed, and, at the proper 

 time, secured for shipment. Projects for a structure of this kind have 

 been considered, but the lack of funds has thus fVir prevented their 

 accomplishment. 



It seems necessary to again refer to the desirability of changing the 

 appropriation act so as to permit the occasional purchase of animals. 

 Several times during the past year rare native animals have been offered 

 for sale at extremely low prices— indeed, for less than the cost of trans- 

 portation from the regions where they were obtained. Among such 

 are the Eocky Mountain Goat and the Mountain Sheep. This goat has 

 never before been seen in captivity, as far as I am aware, and the 

 sheep is extremely rare. 



In October, 1893, the proprietor of the large menagerie which in 1890 

 presented the park with an elephant, offered to make a temporary deposit 

 of a number of animals without charge. In consideration of the words 

 of the fundamental act, "For the instruction and recreation of the 

 people," it was decided to accept the offer, such arrangements being 

 customary in zoological gardens. It was stipulated that any animals 

 born should become the property of the United States. The experiment 

 was satisfactory, affording to the public an opportunity of seeing and 

 studying at leisure, a number of interesting specimens, such as the park 

 could not hope to possess for many years to come. 



