56 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



ment made with the owners of the lionesses, became the propertj'^ of the park. 

 When these young animals arrive at a suitable age they are readily exchanged for 

 other specimens, and thus form a valuable addition to the resources of the park. 



In accordance with a design long ago formed by the Secretary of the Smithsonian 

 In.stitution, means were instituted during the year for interesting officers of the United 

 States stationed abroad in the objects and needs of the National Zoological Park. A 

 circular to officers was prepared showing a map of the park and illustrated with views 

 taken at various points within it. By permission of the Secretaries of State, of War, 

 and of the Navy, copies of this circular were sent to the principal officers on foreign 

 stations. It is expected that considerable accessions to the collection will be made 

 from this source. The circular is reprinted in subsequent pages. 



In anticipation of this circular the Navy Department instructed Commander Todd, 

 U. S. N., the officer commanding the U. S. S. WUm'mglon, who Avas about to make a 

 voyage up the Amazon River, to make such collections as were practicable for the 

 park. The result was most satisfactory. A considerable consignment of animals 

 was made from the Wilmington, including a fine male tapir, a harpy eagle, and a 

 number of monkeys, birds, and small mammals. An illustration of the eagle is 

 appended. 



The sea-lion pond and the lower ford were materially injured by high water at the 

 breaking up of the ice in the winter. Damage of tliis sort is certain to occur occa- 

 sionally, and may be very serious if not guarded against by riprapping the bank. 

 The elk inclosures and the pond for the j)elicans just above the high bridge have 

 been greatly damaged by the wash of sand and dirt from the fresh-cut bank along 

 the eastern boundary. This bank, on the top of which is a newly constructed road- 

 way, known as Park Drive, will remain a cause of expense to the j)ark until steps are 

 taken to prevent this wash. This could be done by planting the l)anks thickly, but 

 to produce the best results and make a permanent improvement the bank should be 

 made less precipitous and the slope extended into the park itself. As this improve- 

 ment would benefit the park alone, it must be done, if ever, at public expense. The 

 cost would be about $10,000, and I would recommend that Congress be asked to 

 appro[)riate a sum for this purpose. 



Now that roadways leading into the park have been completed at grades estab- 

 lished by the District authorities, it is desirable to surround the entire domain by a 

 tight fence which will keep out dogs and other predatory animals, and thus make it 

 possible to keep small game at large in the park — pheasants, woodcock, grouse, and 

 quail, for instance. The estimated cost of such a fence with suitable gates at the 

 entrances is $20,000. 



At the request of the Capital Traction Railway Company a new entrance to the 

 park has been made upon the south side to accommodate those who desire to enter 

 by the pathway laid out by this company from the railway "loofj" at the eastern 

 end of the Cincinnati street bridge, where a freight station and waiting room have 

 been established. It is not, however, much used. It would be greatly to the con- 

 venience of the public if a right of way could be acquired by which foot passengers 

 could proceed from this " loop" across the grounds owned by the colored cemetery 

 association to the Adams Mill road within the park. The distance is not great, being 

 not more than 300 feet, and the descent is easy. 



The improvement of access to the park has greatly increased its use by the general 

 public. It is found to be of special importance to schools, and groups of children 

 under charge of teachers may be observed almost any fine day during the school 

 season. There are herewith appended two illustrations showing such groups. 



By the act of March 3, 1899, there was appropriated $5,000 to widen the Adams 

 Mill road from Columbia road to the park entrance, and steps have been taken to 

 carry out this provision. 



I desire to recommend an increase in the force of watchmen. The establishment 

 of the railway loop at the bridge near the park has largely increased the number of 



