68 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1944 
years. On his retirement the Smithsonian Institution appointed Mr. 
Blackburne consultant to the Director for life. In his more than half 
a century of continuous service, Mr. Blackburne saw the Zoo grow 
from the original lot of 124 specimens that he brought to the Park from 
the Smithsonian grounds in a wagon borrowed from the Humane 
Society to its present size. 
WARTIME PROBLEMS 
All zoos have faced wartime difficulties in obtaining food and sup- 
plies. The National Zoo, however, has received valuable assistance 
from the managers of some of the large Safeway, A. and P., Giant, 
and other stores, who have put aside for the Zoo trimmings from vege- 
tables. These are picked up by truck each day and provide the Zoo 
with greens and certain types of vegetables. Through the United 
States Marshal’s Office there have been obtained considerable quan- 
tities of food condemned for one reason or another as not fit for human 
consumption, including several tons of peanuts, quantities of soy beans, 
and other products, which have been of material aid. 
ATTENDANCE 
The attendance for the year was: 
Ue eee ee ee ee 172,200) ‘Mebrnary <0). 602 er eee 53, 200 
MAI SEUIS Green ar cree knee ee eet cas 204, 500F March ni) joes Sa eee 97, 450 
September] 2) oe eee 228, OOO: ADTIL json ee eer 207, 982 
Octobery ss set ieee eee ae 142 STOOD May) ie ae CS eee ee 269, 500 
INOvenbers=s25 2 eee 14S) 200) Sune eee 169, 000 
December yas. 22 A ee 42, 850 —_ 
PADMA Seo ee ee ee 72, 300 Total) 2 eee 1, 803, 532 
Although no actual tabulation was made, it was apparent that mili- 
tary and naval personnel constituted a very substantial proportion of 
the total number of visitors. 
There has been a good attendance from various schools and groups 
who have come by whatever means of transportation were available. 
It is interesting to note that the number of visitors is more even 
throughout the week than hitherto, although naturally the attendance 
reaches its peak on Saturday afternoons, Sundays, and holidays. The 
number of family picnic parties has greatly increased. 
Medical groups have come to the Zoo for the purpose of studying 
certain types of animals, and the Zoo office receives many requests from 
the War and Navy Departments and other agencies of the Govern- 
ment for information on biological problems. The Zoo continues to be 
a regular study ground for art and biology classes, as well as a focal 
point for inquiries about animals by mail, by telephone, and in person. 
