NINETEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 49 



The small balance of $4,165.34, reported January 1, 1914, 

 as being available for Miscellaneous Ground Improvement Work 

 at the Park, has been completely exhausted. 



CONSTRUCTION. 



Animal Hospital. — The balance of $7,518.32 available for 

 the erection of an Animal Hospital, proved insufficient for that 

 purpose, and your committee therefore made an application, as 

 above stated, to the City Authorities for an additional appro- 

 priation of $15,000, which has been granted. With the money 

 at present on hand a total of $22,518.32 is available for this 

 purpose. Failure of the various City Departments to act has 

 resulted in considerable delay, but the site has been located, and 

 the plans have been completed, and with the specifications are 

 being printed. Bids will be advertised for early in 1915. 



The epidemic among the anthropoid apes and the difficulty 

 of providing the gorilla with suitable quarters, has emphasized 

 the absolute necessity of a Quarantine and Hospital Building. 



Ape House. — The next building to be erected at the Park 

 will be a house for the anthropoid apes, so planned that the 

 space reserved for the animals and that devoted to visitors will 

 be absolutely independent, and each have a separate system of 

 ventilation and heating. 



Elephant House Roof. — The repairs to the roof of the Ele- 

 phant House have been completed with apparently satisfactory 

 results. 



Shelter Pavilion, East Side. — The Shelter Pavilion on the 

 east side of the Bronx River has been completed and opened to 

 the public. 



EXPEDITIONS. 



Gorilla Expedition. — The Society's expedition to West Af- 

 rica for living gorillas, in charge of Mr. R. L. Garner of Phila- 

 delphia, returned to New York on August 21, with one female 

 gorilla in good condition. This rare animal (known as "Dinah") 

 is at present on exhibition at the Park. A smaller and less 

 valuable specimen, obtained at the same time, died in January, 

 1914, before leaving Africa. The plan formulated to take time 

 to domesticate gorillas in Africa, proved successful in this case. 

 This specimen on arrival, instead of being morose, sullen and 

 contrary in appetite, was very cheerful, lively and affectionate, 

 and exercised vigorously. 



