30 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



ceiving the most careful renewed study and attention. The 

 Rocking Stone Restaurant, while a building of no great size or 

 elaboration, required months of study before the Committee was 

 entirely satisfied that it had secured an artistic, practical, econom- 

 ical plan for a building which can be maintained inexpensively 

 during the long winter months, when the patronage of this res- 

 taurant will be comparatively small, and at the same time be 

 capable of sudden expansion of patronage on popular days. Nu- 

 merous consultations were held with the architects, and with Mr. 

 Manning, before the building was precisely located and a plan 

 secured, which, it is believed, will be thoroughly worthy of its 

 beautiful site overlooking Beaver Valley. In a similar manner, 

 we are learning from experience and observation certain new 

 principles which will be applied to alterations of detail in the 

 large new buildings which we are about to construct. 



The Aquatic Birds' House has enjoyed the artistic co-operation 

 of Mr. A. Phinister Proctor in the design of the pediments, and 

 in the Pelicans upon its corners ; also of Mr. Robert Blum, who 

 generously executed the charming mural paintings at the back 

 of the wall cages at a nominal cost — a feature which has proved 

 both attractive and satisfactory. After a careful observation of 

 the birds in the central flying cage, the Assistant Curator, Mr. 

 Beebe, reports that they would benefit by an increase of sunlight, 

 and that the design of this building would have been improved 

 if the roof had been wholly constructed of glass, as called for in 

 the Directors' original design. Hereafter, glass-roof construc- 

 tion will be employed more extensively, especially in the houses 

 to be occupied by animals which are sensitive and sun-loving. 



ENTRANCES. 



It has also become necessary to look ahead to the future in the 

 matter of entrances. 



The present entrances of the Park are cheaply constructed and 

 temporary, and, as the Park becomes more central in the growth 

 of the city, and the means of approach by carriage and by rail 

 are developed, it is obvious, not only that it must be surrounded 

 by an appropriate iron fence supported upon a granite base of 

 an absolutely permanent character, but that the various entrances 

 must be spacious, beautiful, and appropriate in design. 



