THIRTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 35 
Owing to the increase in the cost of maintenance, by reason of 
the added charges on account of the Elephant House and other 
new buildings, this additional appropriation from the City is most 
timely. It is also proof of the continued confidence of the present 
City administration in the management of the Park. 
Mauitenance of the Aquarium.—The amount appropriated by 
the City for the maintenance of the Aquarium for 1908 was 
$45,000, which proved sufficient for that year. Owing, how- 
ever, to the fact that the cost of maintenance at the Aquarium is 
increasing, the amount of $46,000 has been provided for the 
coming year, 1909. This action on the part of the authorities is 
very satisfactory and gratifying to your Committee. 
Aquarium Improvement Fund.—The small balance available 
in this fund in January, 1908, prohibited the making of highly 
necessary betterments. Therefore, application was made _ for 
$5,000 for improvements, the most important of which is a new 
roof. This application was granted, but the money has not yet 
been actually placed to the credit of the fund. On January 1, 
1909, there was a balance of $441.57 to the credit of the fund. 
The plans and specifications for the work are now being pre- 
pared. 
Detailed statements of the above accounts are set forth in the 
Treasurer’s report. 
IMPORTANT GIFTS TO THE PARK. 
The most important gifts during the year have been: One 
Sarus crane, presented by Mr. William Rockefeller; one white- 
tailed deer, presented by Captain H. Blake; one black bear, pre- 
sented by Mr. Rex Beach and Mr. F. A. Stone; one white-tailed 
deer; presented by Mr: S. B. Chittenden; one African - rock 
python, presented by Miss Trixie Roderico; one golden baboon, 
presented by Mrs. Annie Kellogg Dale; one anteater, presented 
by Mr. Gustav Butnee; eight pheasants, presented by Mr. Clar- 
ence Whitman; and donations to the Special Animal Fund as fol- 
lows: $1,000 from Mr. Charles H. Senff; $500 from Mr. Robert 
S. Brewster; $500 from Mr. Andrew Carnegie; $500 from Mr. 
Edward S. Harkness, and $500 from Mr. Nelson Robinson. 
A detailed list of subscriptions to the Special Animal Fund 
will appear in the report of the Director of the Park. 
NEW BUILDINGS AND INSTALLATIONS. 
The Elephant House, acknowledged to be the finest zoological 
building in the world, was completed and opened to the public 
on November 20, 1908. 
