TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT 5D 
PARK IMPROVEMENT AND REPAIRS. 
During the year, in addition to some smaller items, the entire 
exterior and interior cages of the Small-Mammal House have 
been reconstructed, from funds derived from gate receipts. 
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT. 
The Medical Department, under Dr. George S. Huntington, 
has continued to utilize the soft parts of such animals as have 
died during the year, while the skeletons and skins when in good 
condition have been sent to the American Museum of Natural 
History where they are utilized for exhibition purposes. 
FEDERAL TAXATION OF BEQUESTS. 
The Society joined with other institutions during the year 
in an effort to secure exemption from the federal tax on all be- 
quests to scientific institutions. While successful in obtaining a 
substantial modification of the Income Tax provision on gifts 
from income, they were unable to secure exemption from the 
Federal Inheritance Tax. This tax on bequests for scientific 
work is regarded by your Committee as a very serious blow to 
educational institutions and it is hoped that the severe require- 
ments of the present law will be modified in the near future. 
WILD LIFE PROTECTION. 
During the first half of 1917, great efforts were made to 
secure a number of new laws for the more thorough protection 
of game, and also to prevent valuable laws from being repealed. 
The renewed effort in the New York legislature, by Mr. Kasson, 
to repeal the famous “buck law” preventing the killing of female 
deer was defeated. 
The Migratory Bird treaty with Canada was ratified and 
signed by the two signatory powers, and a bill providing for its 
enforcement was at once introduced in Congress. Through the 
pressure of war measures, this bill and the Chamberlain game 
sanctuary bill were both laid aside until the end of 1917. 
A great effort was made in eighteen state legislatures in the 
West to secure laws providing long close seasons for upland 
