96 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



last three months of the year. In spite of this fact, however, a 

 substantial increase for the season was shown. It had been 

 planned to have the dining-room addition built during midsum- 

 mer while the open pavilion was being used, and then move into 

 it so as to permit of the construction of the pavilion addition 

 with a minimum of interruption to business and annoyance to 

 guests. Because of the insufficiency of the appropriation for the 

 work the original plans had to be redrawn, with a consequent 

 delay. It was unfortunate that the original request for funds 

 was not allowed, as the amount appropriated was so limited as to 

 make it impossible to carry out the work wholly on the original 

 architectural lines of the building. 



The work is now complete, and is already a source of great 

 satisfaction. Both the summer and winter dining-rooms have 

 been enlarged to double their former size, and the service fa- 

 cilities proportionately increased. These alterations are certain 

 to result in increased business. 



Soda Water. — Improvements at several of the soda stands, 

 to relieve the overcrowded conditions on Sundays and holidays, 

 were carried into effect during April, 1912. A small addition 

 was made in the rear of the stand near the Bird House, suffi- 

 ciently large to permit of the installation of another separate and 

 entirely independent fountain. A narrow walk connecting with 

 the platform where tables are placed, permits of waiter service 

 from this fountain, thus greatly relieving the demands on the 

 fountain where the public is served. A somewhat similar ar- 

 rangement was made at the lunch pavilion, where a small foun- 

 tain was put in at one end of the counter. At the Bear Den 

 stand, a small cashier's booth was built and the original building 

 remodeled and improved to give greater capacity. 



It is expected that this business will benefit greatly through 

 the facilities afforded by the new building now under construc- 

 tion. For several years past it has been seriously hampered by 

 the lack of proper and adequate quarters. 



Souvenir Books. — Negotiations for an issue of fifty-cent 

 souvenir books were begun early in the year, with the result 

 that an order was finally placed for an edition of 20,000 copies, 

 — more than four times any previous issue. The new book con- 

 sists of 48 6x8 pages of four-color single and group illustrations. 

 Deliveries could not be made until rather late in the year, but the 

 increased sales of the souvenir booklet at once demonstrated 

 its popularity with visitors. 



