TENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 69 



REPTILES ON HAND OX DECEMBER 3I, I905. 



Species. Specimens. 



Chelonia 31 127 



Crocodilia 3 46 



Lacertilia 20 118 



Ophidia 56 278 



Amphibia 15 118 



Total 125 687 



The total census of the Zoological Park collections at the end 

 of 1905 is as follows : 



SUMMARY OF COLLECTIONS. 



Species. Specimens. 



Mammals 177 625 



Birds 355 1,555 



Reptiles no 569 



Amphibians 15 118 



Total 657 2,867 



Increase over 1904 221 1,065 



GROUND IMPROVEMENTS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF ZOOLOGICAL 



PARK OFFICERS. 

 Hermann W. Merkel, Chief Forester and Chief Constructor. 



Planting. — In this branch of our work the year 1905 w'ill be 

 memorable for two reasons — the great amount of planting done 

 and a good growing season for newly planted stock. That our 

 maximum effort should have been made in the year most aus- 

 picious in weather conditions is indeed cause for congratulation. 



Previous to 1905 many causes had operated to postpone the 

 extensive planting operations that had been planned for the south- 

 ern front of the Zoological Park. The western boundary had 

 previously been planted with deciduous trees, but even there the 

 masses of conifers necessary to a perfect border plantation and 

 wind-break were lacking. At last, however, funds for planting 

 became available in the autumn of 1904. 



During the winter the Chief Forester was sent to nearly all 



