FOURTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 45 



hibits by an extension on the landward side of the present struc- 

 ture, preserving intact the old walls of Castle Clinton, or by 

 erecting a small building for the accommodation of the engine 

 and storage room on the sea wall to the south of the Aquarium, 

 giving this additional space to large exhibition tanks and pro- 

 viding an outlet for the crowds ; a matter now required for rea- 

 sons of public safety. An additional story in this case would 

 then be required on the north front of the Aquarium, where 

 small aquaria for invertebrates could be exhibited, and labora- 

 tory work be done. 



Such improvements, as are outlined above, are now impera- 

 tive and will demand a large increase in the maintenance fund 

 as now supplied. The Director must be supplied with at least 

 two scientific assistants and the floor force must be enlarged to 

 correspond with the increased attendance. This will necessitate 

 an increase in the maintenance to at least $65,000. Before this 

 can be done, the law authorizing the City to provide money for 

 the maintenance of the Aquarium must be changed, as at present 

 $50,000 is the maximum amount that can be appropriated by the 

 City for this purpose. 



During 1910, the Committee expects to devote more time 

 and attention to this institution. The administration of this ex- 

 hibit has reflected great credit both to the Society and the 

 Director, and a portion of the Society's funds should hence- 

 forth be devoted to scientific work in connection with this marine 

 exhibit. A library and publications are especially needed at the 

 Aquarium. 



KUSER PHEASANT EXPEDITION. 



Colonel Anthony R. Kuser of Bernardsville, New Jersey, 

 has been the first to provide for an expedition on a large scale 

 under the auspices of the New York Zoological Society. His 

 donation for this purpose of an amount exceeding $60,000, the 

 Committee hopes will mark the beginning of a new era in the 

 Society's development. Col. Kuser, being greatly interested in 

 pheasants, proposed to the Society to provide funds for an ex- 

 pedition around the world in charge of our Curator of Birds, 

 Mr. C. William Beebe, in order that the pheasants could be 

 studied in their home surroundings. Mr. Beebe was granted a 

 leave of absence for eighteen months for this purpose, and sailed 

 from New York on the 29th of December, 1909, for England and 

 the Continent, where his preliminary investigations must be 

 made. He will then proceed to India, China, Borneo and Japan 



