REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 89 



March 31, 1896, three goats killed l)y dogs. 



December, 1897, mule deer liuck, frightened by dogs, ran into fence, broke its 

 horns, tore off one hoof, and was otherwise so badly injured that it never recovered. 



January, 1900, pack of dogs killed two deer and injured four, three of which 

 (lied in consequence. 



The cats prey upon the wild birds, squirrels, and other small animals, and are 

 even a source of danger for some of the captive colonies of ground squirrels and 

 prairie dogs. Attempts have been made to remedy this bj' increasing the force of 

 watchmen, by strewing poisoned meat near the deer pens, and by removing from 

 the park all domestic dogs which attract their kind. The most effectual remedy 

 would of course be a dog and cat tight fence with guarded gates. An ajipropriation 

 of $20,000 for a fence of this character was asked of Congress, but has not yet been 

 granted. 



It should be noted, moreover, that the maintenance of guarded entrance gates 

 involves an increase in the number of watchmen and the advantage gained seems 

 hardly coinmensurate with the annual expense required, for even with the best 

 repairs the old fence will not prove an effective barrier. 



The expense of a thoroughly jirotective fence inclosing the entire park is undoubt- 

 edly an obstacle to its erection. If it is impracticable to make so large an inclosure, 

 I would still recommend that a considerable section of the more secluded portion of 

 the grounds lie thus fenced off. This would be of the greatest value for the exhibi- 

 tion of game birds of all species, for deer, antelope, rabbits, squirrels, etc. 



The situation of the park at the bottom of a deep valley, while it adds to its seclusion, 

 entails some disadvantages. The city roads that lead into it are steep in grade, and 

 during great storms like that of June 2, 1900, the storm water is precipitated in tor- 

 rents upon the park, bringing down tons of debris that clog the pipes and overwhelm 

 the roads. The only effective remedy for this is the construction oi culverts of suffi- 

 cient size to readily carry into the creek all the water that may fall. The raw slopes 

 of the city streets that lie on a higher level than the park to the eastward continue to 

 be a great source of annoyance, as large quantities of red mud wash dow^i from them 

 upon the park grounds after every heavy rain. 



During the year the District Commissioners constructed a sewer from Ontario 

 avenue through the park, connecting with the intercepting sewer formerly constructed 

 by them. The point where this sewer enters the park at Ontario avenue should be 

 protected by a proper retaining wall. Such a wall should also be built along Klingle 

 road, where the little stream that follows the park boundary for a short distance has 

 cut into the road. 



The circular sent to officers abroad with reference to collecting animals for the 

 National Zoological Park has elicited some very satisfactory responses. Mr. E. S. 

 Cunningham, United States consul at Aden, Arabia, states that wild animals can be 

 procured in that vicinity at low rates and that transportation to New York can be had 

 without great difficulty. Two young lions and two beautiful young leopards have 

 already been secured by his efforts. The consul at Maracaibo has secured free trans- 

 portation for his animals and has offered to attend to procuring them. The consul 

 at Singapore sends a list of animals that may be procured at that port, with ]>rices of 

 the same, which are far below those at which the same animals can be obtained here. 

 Other officers abroad have also offered to procure animals. 



Mr. M. W. Gibbs, the consul at Madagascar, collected some of the rare animals of 

 that region, expecting to deliver them to the U. S. S. Chicago, whose commanding officer 

 had been instructed by the Navy Department to transport them for the park. 

 However, for some reason not clearly understood, the officer in command of the 

 Chicago refused to take the animals. The bubonic plague shortly appeared in Mada- 

 gascar, the shipment of animals then became impracticable, and it therefore became 

 necessary to release them. 



