KEPOET OF THE SECRETARY. 57 



visitors after the hour when the buildings are closed and the keepers and day watch- 

 men have left. Heretofore one night watchman has been deemed sufficient, but 

 another is now necessary from 4 p. m. to 12. 



The circular letter and "Advice to collectors" alluded to in a previous page is 

 reprinted below, omitting most of the illustrations. 



Smithsonian Institution, 

 Washington, U. S. A., July 1, 1899. 



The Secretary, on behalf of the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, and with 

 the i)ermission of the honorable the Secretaries of State, of War, and of the Navy, 

 calls the attention of officers of the United States on foreign stations to the fact that 

 there is at the capital a National Zoological Park, established by an act of Congress 

 approved April 30, 1890, which provides — 



" That the National Zoological Park is hereby placed under the direction of the 

 Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, who are authorized to transfer to it any liv- 

 ing specimens, whether of animals or plants now or hereafter in their charge, to 

 accept gifts for the park at their discretion, in the name of the United States, to make 

 exchanges of specimens, and to administer the said Zoological Park for the advance- 

 ment of science and the instruction and recreation of the people. 



" That the heads of the Executive Departments of the Government are hereby 

 authorized and directed to cause to be rendered all necessary and practicable aid to 

 the said Regents in the acquisition of collections for the Zoological Park." 



This park, of which some idea may be formed by the accompanying map and illus- 

 trations,' has been established in an unusually beautiful site near the city of Wash- 

 ington. It is intended to form here a representative national collection which, while 

 especially rich in our native American animals, shall also contain specimens from all 

 parts of the world, and shall be to America what the zoological gardens at London, 

 Paris, and Berlin are to their respective countries. 



For several years Congress macle no ajipropriation for the purchase of animals, and 

 the park is still largely dependent upon gifts to increase the collection, which is far 

 from adequate as an exhibit in a national institution. 



If officers stationed abroad, who may be interested in animal life, would bear in 

 mind the necessities of the park, many additions could be made to the collection. 

 Almost any foreign animals would be gladly received. 



Expenses of boxing and of land transportation, where necessary, will always be 

 paid by the Zoological Park. 



Purchase of animals can be made only in exceptional cases, but if the opportunity 

 for any especially desirable acquisition arises, the Secretary of the Smithsonian 

 Institution would be pleased to be advised by letter, or in urgent cases by telegraph. 

 The Secretary would also be glad to correspond with officers who expect to visit 

 regions where interesting animals occur. 



Public recognition of gifts is made, the names of donors being placed upon the 

 labels attached to the cages or pens, and a notice of the gifts with the names of the 

 donors is also made a part of the annual report of the Secretary of the Smithsonian 

 Institution. 



A list of the most important animals that can be collected in different countries is 

 appended hereto, and concise directions for boxing, shipping, and feeding are given. 



S. P. Langley, Secretary. 



Advice to Collectors, 

 animals especially desired. 



The new possessions of the United States are comparatively poor in animals, but 

 it is especially desirable to have as full a representation of the fauna as possible. 

 While all will be valued, those whose names are italicized are particularly desiral)le. 



Cuba and Puerto Rico afford the manatee, or sea cow, which frequents l)ays and 

 mouths of rivers; the flamingo, spoonbill, ibis, pelican, several species of parrots 

 and parrakeets, a variety of pigeons, the ani, and other interesting birds. Boas of 

 several kinds occur in these islands, and large lizards of different species are very 

 abundant. The agouta (Solenodon) and the hutia {Capromyn), animals a little larger 

 than a common rat, ancl the crocodile are also found in Cuba, and an interesting 

 macaw occurs in the Isle of Pines. 



In the I'li'dijiine Mands the most notable mammals are the "tamarau," a small 

 wild buffalo found on Mindoro; several s})ecies of deer; the "babui," or wild hog; 



' Most of the illustrations are not reijrinted here. — Editor. 



