REPORT OF THE SECRETARY 101 



IMPROVEMENTS 



The complete reconstruction of the wolf and fox dens below the 

 sea lion pool was finished early in the year. The quarters for these 

 animals are now much more comfortable and sanitary than before 

 and immensely improved in appearance. The outdoor cages for 

 rhesus and other monkeys were all repaired, covered with new wire, 

 provided with suitable water and sewer facilities, and generally put 

 into first-class condition. Repairs were made to the ostrich en- 

 closure, safety guards of electrically welded wire were placed along 

 the fence bordering the walk in front of the main bear dens, and 

 numerous minor repairs were made to cages and enclosures. In so 

 far as was possible with the limited funds, necessary painting was 

 done. 



The principal construction for the year, however, has been the 

 continuation of work on the recently graded area in the west-central 

 part of the park, between the great flight cage and the hospital 

 building. This work was commenced seven years ago, but was dis- 

 continued during the war. It is greatly to be hoped that it may be 

 completed during the current year. After building a new road 

 from the hospital to the scales, near the Rocky Mountain sheep 

 inclosure, over the edge of the fill previously made, the old winding 

 road was abandoned and there was available a large area of flat 

 ground suitable for paddocks. Four extra large yards were designed 

 along the automobile road, where species commonly kept in breed- 

 ing herds may be shown. One yard has been especially designed for 

 Rocky Mountain goats and a miniature mountain of flint bowlders 

 has been constructed within it. The other large yards bordering the 

 automobile road have been prepared for red deer, barasingha deer, 

 and Japanese deer. On the south side, bordering the walk passing 

 the great flight cage for birds, are seven paddocks with shelters, 

 designed especially for Indian buffaloes, tahr goats, aoudads, axis 

 deer, and similar species. The water-buffalo yard has been provided 

 with a large tank for bathing, and the tahr and aoudad yards with 

 large rock piles. The axis deer shelter includes a closed room of 

 commodious size for breeding females, as this species commonly 

 brings forth the young in winter, when the weather out of doors 

 is unfavorable for young fawns. Passing directly through the center 

 of this system of yards from east to west is a service road along 

 which all of the shelter houses have been built. This system places 

 the retreats for animals at the rear of each yard, away from the 

 public, and, after proper planting, makes the buildings compara- 

 tively inconspicuous. It also simplifies care and the shifting or 

 transfer of animals without actual capture. At the end of the 



