REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. Bat 
The mortality during the year has been considerable. A great proportion of the 
animals that have died have succumbed immediately after arrival, either being in 
bad condition from injury or otherwise, when shipped, or being too delicate to stand 
transportation. ‘Those who send specimens to the park should always take care to 
keep the animals in confinement for some time before shipping and should ask for 
directions as to the proper method of boxing. Many animals are killed by being 
sent in an improper manner and by being either starved or provided with improper 
food. The animals received from South America have been very frequently mori- 
bund when received. Thisis partly due to the customs regulations at New York City, 
which cause considerable delay in the reshipment of animals to this city. 
The beautiful specimen of the big horn sheep (Ovis montana) succumbed to an at- 
tack of apoplexy, while the animals were still confined in the contracted yards in 
the rear of the Smithsonian Institution. A post-mortem examination showed the 
animal to be in an excellent physical condition, and it is believed that lack of 
exercise was the principal cause of the disorder that terminated its existence. As 
far as can be judged from this case there appears to be no reason whatever why this 
sheep, so rare in zoological collections, should not thrive in captivity if a suitable 
range of rocks and cliffs such as is found in the National Zoological Park is given 
to it. 
The close of the year finds the work of the park progressing steadily and as rap- 
idly as the funds appropriated by Congress will admit. The interest of the public 
is found to be very great, much more in fact than had been anticipated. There can 
be no doubt that in the course of a few years the park will become one of the chief 
attractions of a city already famous for its sights, offering as it does a combination 
entirely unique, exquisitely beautiful natural scenery with the charming aspects of 
varied animal life. 
It has already been noticed that the one roadway is too narrow for the accommoda- 
ion of the large number of carriages that frequent the park on Sundays, the throngs 
between the hours of 3 and 5 p. m. being so great as to endanger visitors, and it it 
earnestly desired to extend the system of roads in accordance with a plan already 
laid ont. The bridge, from necessary economy, was restricted to a width just suffi- 
cient to allow carriages to pass, no footway being provided. In view of the throng 
already referred to, this offers another source of danger, and it is contemplated build- 
ing footways on projecting brackets along either side of the bridge should funds be 
appropriated for the purpose, Either this or a bridge for foot passengers alone will 
be absolutely essential, : 
