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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 59 
The completion of the series of yards made it possible to transfer all of the 
bears from the temporary wooden cages that they have been occupying to their 
permanent quarters. The cages were then removed, and the area which they 
had occupied was graded and planted. 
Wolf and fox yards.—Since the occupation of the park the wolves and foxes 
have been kept in temporary yards near the lion house. This has been unsatis- 
factory in several respects, the yards being of an irregular and unsightly 
character, rather obtrusive, and not as secure as desirable. A better site for 
them was selected at the foot of the steep acclivity, where the stream from the 
beaver valley empties into Rock Creek. There were constructed here a series 
of ten yards having a tota! frontage of 230 feet, with a depth varying from 
16 to 36 feet. The fence was constructed of heavy wire netting with square 
mesh, on steel posts, and has a height of 6 feet 6 inches. A retiring den for 
each yard was excavated in the hill at the rear of the cages and arranged with 
a door outside the inclosure for the keeper’s use. ‘These cages, as well as the 
bear yards, were completed and occupied in the late autumn of 1908. 
An entirely pleasant feature of this site is its secluded, woodland character, 
enhanced by the little stream flowing down over rocks to the creek. Consider- 
able planting was done here, using the material indigenous to the neighborhood 
in order to retain as far as possible the original character of the forest. 
The cost of this series of yards was about $2,600. 
ROADS AND WALKS. 
Lack of funds prevented the continued prosecution of the repair of roads 
and walks in the park, only such work being done as was absolutely necessary 
for the public safety. The Adams Mill road and part of the road along the 
banks of the creek were treated with a coal-tar product known as “ terracolio,” 
to obtain freedom from dust and prevent the washing of the roadbed during 
heavy rains. This was fairly successful. Some of the walks were treated 
with another coal-tar preparation known as “tarvia.” This, too, proved an 
excellent preventive of dust and abrasion. 
The shaded walk and stairway from the Adams Mill entrance to the lower 
levels of the park was completed and a small rest house and shelter built at 
the upper end. It is believed that this walk can be made one of the most 
attractive features of the park. In spite of the careful watch, some difficulty 
is experienced in preventing the uprooting and carrying away by visitors of 
the ferns and other specimens that have been planted in profusion along its 
sides. The amount expended on the walk during the present year was about 
$700, while the rustic shelter, 20 by 25 feet, cost approximately $400. 
ACCESSIONS AND LOSSES. 
Gifts included 5 chamois from Bernese Oberland, received through the De- 
partment of the Interior from the Swiss Government as a gift to the United 
States Government; 3 young Alaskan brown bears from Mr. George Mixter, 2d, 
of Boston, Mass.; 3 Barbados woolless sheep, from the United States Department 
of Agriculture; a large grizzly bear and female black bear with 2 cubs were 
received from Lieut. Gen. S. B. M. Young, superintendent Yellowstone National 
Park; also 2 mule deer and 2 prong-horn antelopes from Maj. H. C Benson, who 
succeeded General Young at the Yellowstone Park. Ten beavers were also 
obtained in the Yellowstone Park through the cooperation of General Young. 
A lioness, a pair of Sarus cranes, 2 European flamingoes, and a fishing cat 
were received in exchange for surplus animals. 
