THIRTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT all 
finished work is largely due to the high character of the con- 
tractors’ superintendent, Mr. John C. Coffey. Mr. Coffey is now 
rendering similar service on the Administration Building. 
The total cost of this building is $165,546.25, and it is a very 
fine structure to have been obtained with that amount of money. 
It was occupied by its animals and opened to the public on No- 
vember 19, 1908. 
The Elephant House Yards.—No modern elephant house is in 
any sense complete without a series of yards enclosed by heavy 
steel fences, in which the animals may enjoy exercise in the 
open air and sunlight. With the exception of the serpents and 
a few small monkeys, it has been the rule of the Zoological So- 
ciety that each animal in the Park should have a comfortable 
yard connecting with its in-door quarters. To provide play- 
grounds for adult elephants and rhinoceroses is a very serious 
task, and involves heavy expenditures. 
In addition to the heavy interior fences designed to keep the 
animals from the visitors, another strong steel fence, six feet 
outside it, is necessary to keep the visitors from the animals. It 
is necessary also that a complete series of gates should be pro- 
vided in order that wagons may drive through the yards, com- 
pletely around the building. 
The yards for elephants and rhinoceroses must be heavily paved 
with stone, or concrete, in order that they may easily be cleaned, 
and also in order that those heavy and powerful animals may not 
be able to dig up the surfaces of their enclosures. In view of the 
many difficulties involved in saving the valuable trees in the en- 
closures surrounding the Elephant House, it was imperativelv 
necessary that all work on the surfaces of the yards should be 
performed by laborers and foremen under our own immediate 
supervision. 
Steel Fences for Elephant Yards.—During October, 1908, a 
contract for furnishing and erecting all fences and gates for the 
yards surrounding the Elephant House was let to McHarg-Bar- 
ton Company at $13,700. Work began promptly, was prosecuted 
vigorously, and completed within the contract time. The fences 
themselves, and the gates are of good materials and have been 
excellently made. As stated elsewhere, much trouble was ex- 
perienced with the sub-contractor on the concrete work and the 
setting of the posts. The setting of the posts in the changeable 
and inclement weather of December and January made a great 
deal of trouble for all concerned, but the hurry was necessary and 
unavoidable. 
