90 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



and to regrade the bank of the Bronx River opposite the Boat- 

 House where the natural washing away of the soil threatened 

 to kill many fine trees. 



Two wooden bridges which had become dangerously de- 

 cayed were removed, and substantial concrete culverts were sub- 

 stituted for them. It is our intention to resurface the entire 

 East River Walk with tar-macadam early next season, and to 

 erect substantial guard rails wherever needed along the bank 

 of the river. A certain amount of planting was done near the 

 southern end of the Park, and it is hoped that by the end of 

 next year, this east side can be in an entirely satisfactory con- 

 dition. The work on the east side of the Bronx River cost 

 $3,600.00. 



At the Rocking-Stone Restaurant, the extension of the din- 

 ing-room and pavilion, necessitated the building of 150 running 

 feet of good retaining wall of rustic stone, resting on a sloping 

 rock, and the cost of this work was about $1,200.00. 



At the Elephant House the arrival of the three pygmy 

 hippos compelled considerable changes in cage-work, and the 

 building of a tank connected with the cages on the west side. 

 A small bathing-tank was also built in the outdoor yards. 



MAINTENANCE WORK. 



Few people realize the enormous wear and tear to which 

 the Park and its installations are subjected, not only by its 

 animals but also by some visitors. 



The work involved in the care of the grounds, trees, shrubs 

 and other plants, and of the walks, fences, cages, buildings, 

 drainage, water and sewage systems, is continually increasing. 



During the early summer, when only one uniformed patrol- 

 man and no special police were available, the amount of damage 

 done to trees and shrubs, etc., and in the throwing about of 

 refuse, was very great; but since the reappointment of five of 

 our men as special policemen, we have managed to preserve 

 order fairly well. The great need of extra uniformed police 

 on holidays, Saturday afternoons, and Sundays, has been clearly 

 demonstrated, but it has become impossible to obtain anything 

 like an adequate force. Judging from the many empty pocket- 

 books, wallets, etc., which are continually found by our men in 

 the shrubberies and other places — where they have been thrown 

 by the thieves — pickpockets have been especially active. That 

 one policeman is not sufficient to handle 40,000 people, scat- 



