42 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



Species Specimens 



Mammals 254 812 



Birds 665 2,880 



Reptiles 198 1,308 



Total 1,117 . 5,000 



These figures show an increase over 1908 of 155 species and 

 421 specimens. 



FORESTRY DEPARTMENT. 



The principal work of this Department during 1909 was the 

 grading and planting of the Concourse Entrance and the north 

 end of Baird Court. Planting operations were also carried on in 

 different parts of the Park; notably at the west approach to 

 Baird Court, around the new Soda Pavilion, at the new Public 

 Comfort Station and on the West Farms block. 



Special attention was paid to the prevention of fires, new 

 extinguishers being installed in several buildings, several fire 

 drills were held, and a regular system of inspection of fire-extin- 

 guishers has been organized. An alarm whistle has been in- 

 stalled in the Service Yard, which, with separate signals, gives 

 the alarm in case of the escape of an animal, or in case of fire, 

 and has already proved invaluable on several occasions. 



A crusade which was instituted by this department against 

 the indiscriminate throwing about of refuse, especially on Satur- 

 day afternoons and Sundays when great crowds thronged the 

 Park, has resulted in an improvement in the appearance of the 

 Park, beyond expectation. 



MEDICAL DEPARTMENT. 



The Medical Department has devoted much time to the com- 

 pilation of statistics dealing with the various diseases of our wild 

 animals. A classification is being prepared which will be useful 

 for various zoological collections, both public and private. The 

 department is constantly being called upon to furnish informa- 

 tion as to the care and treatment of diseases of wild animals in 

 confinement, and because of our extensive records, we have been 

 able to supply much valuable data. 



There has been no serious epidemic among the animals, and 

 except for the slightly greater mortality due to the large increase 

 in the small mammal collections, the death rate has been very 

 low. 



The health of the large mammals continues satisfactory. 

 Very few cases of gastro-enteritis have occurred among the 



