26 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1917. 



less than 136 American water birds of 24 species are to be seen in 

 the lake. 



Every effort is being made to make the park a sanctuary for native 

 wild birds. Over 100 nesting boxes have been put in place and dur- 

 ing the cold "weather food is provided, resulting in a notable increase 

 in the bird population of the park. 



As noted in last year's report, the appropriation made by Congress 

 in 1913 for the acquisition of a frontage for the park on Connecticut 

 Avenue, lapsed owing to delays caused by legal complications, and 

 it is regretted that Congress has not made a new appropriation for 

 this purpose. As the principal entrance to the park will probably 

 be on Connecticut Avenue for all time, it is exceedingly important 

 that the land in question be acquired before it is too late. 



Among the imperative needs of the park, the superintendent men- 

 tions some provision for the parking of the increasing number of 

 automobiles that visit the Zoo, outdoor dens for carnivorous animals, 

 additional ponds for waterfowl, a bird house, and a reptile house. 

 The most urgent need, however, is a substantial increase in the gen- 

 eral appropriation. Owing to the steady advance in the cost of sup- 

 plies and the increasing expense occasioned by the larger number 

 of visitors, the point has now been reached where the entire appro- 

 priation, which has remained the same for the past seven years, does 

 not cover actual maintenance expenses. 



For some years past the National Zoological Park, in common with 

 other similar institutions in the United States, has felt the effect of 

 conditions that operated to hinder more and more the importation of 

 wild animals from abroad and to reduce the supply. 



At the suggestion of Dr. W. T. Hornaday, director of the New 

 York Zoological Park, a conference was held at the Philadelphia 

 Zoological Garden to consider the question of sending a joint expe- 

 dition, on behalf of the New York, Philadelphia, and National Zo- 

 ological Parks, to South Africa for animals. It was decided to send 

 a man out to look the ground over, see what could be done in the way 

 of arranging for a supply of animals for the future, and bring back 

 anything desirable that could be secured at the time. Mr. J. Alden 

 Loring, who had been successful in bringing animals from Europe 

 for the New York Zoological Park, and had also had experience in 

 Africa as a member of the Smithsonian expedition to East Africa, 

 was selected to make the trip. 



Mr. Loring sailed from New York July 22, 1916, taking with him 

 hay and grain enough to feed as many antelopes and other herbivora 

 as he was likely to obtain, for one of the conditions necessary to se- 

 cure their entry into the United States was that no forage from 

 Africa should be brought with the animals. He arrived at Port 



