REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 91 



and sometliinsx ninst be done to remedy these defects if any proper resnlts are 

 expected. 



Immediate steps should be tf^ken for the erection of a suitable bird and reptile 

 house, as well as a house for small mammals, these being the most imi)ortant needs 

 of the park at the present time. 



Pome attempts have been made during the j-ear to collect rare and valuable 

 American animals by organizing special expeditions on a limited scale. 



The great Kodiak bear of Alaska, of which mention has been made in former 

 reports, is especially desired, not only l)eeause of its great size, but also because it is 

 rajiidly disappearing. Persistent but fruitless efforts have been made to procure this 

 animal through the various fur-trading agencies that have posts in the country it 

 inhabits. It was finally determined to send out Mr. Elwood Hofer, a well-known 

 guide and hunter of the Yellowstone Park, who has served the Smithsonian well on 

 many occasions. Mr. Hofer went to the Alaskan c;oast and Kodiak Island in April, 

 but he did not succeed in capturing any bears nor even in taking cubs. Mr. Hofer 

 was also commissioned to procure other Alaskan animals. The extent of country 

 over which he was obliged to travel and the exingencies of transportation did not 

 permit him to do nuich in this way. His total collections amounted to a grizzly bear 

 cub, three black bear cubs, a young porcupine, and some ground squirrels. None of 

 these, with the possible exception of the grizzly bear cub, whose specific characters 

 have not yet been determined, are characteristic of Alaska, and could have been 

 readily procured much nearer to the park. The expedition must be considered as a 

 failure, owing to the difficulty of carrying on extended operations in that country 

 and the scarcity of the animals. 



Another animal that has been especially desired is the mountain sheep. Several 

 attempts have previously been made to obtain specimens of this animal by offering 

 definite prices to himters. These have been unsuccessful, probably because the men 

 have not been able to procure the necessary outfit and supplies for a long and arduous 

 expedition. Finally a contract was made with Mr. C. S. Jones to make a special 

 expedition for the purpose. Through the intervention of Senator Wolcott the gov- 

 ernor of Colorado kindly accorded permission to collect in that State for the United 

 States Government. It was hoped to procure three pairs of animals, but only two 

 young lambs, both males, were captured, and these have since died. 



An attempt was made to collect the California condor, the largest flying bird in 

 North America, now rapidly becoming extinct. The park has procured one young 

 specimen of this fine bird by purchase. 



The aquarium has been an object of considerable interest to visitors during the 

 year. Acknowledgment should be made of the conrtesv shown Ijy Mr. J. E. Jones, 

 the director of the public aquarium at Battery Park, New York City, who has greatly 

 added to the interest of the collection here by exchange of valual)le specimens, among 

 which were several of the beautifully colored tropical fishes from tlie Bermudas. 

 Considerable attention has been paid during the year to the preparation of plans and 

 estimates for a new aquarium building suitable for the permanent installation of an 

 attractive exhibit, but Congress has made no appropriation for the purpose. 



Besides the service rendered by the Park to the schools, which was commented on 

 in a previous report, the value of its collections has received recognition from another 

 source. Well-known illustrators, including Messrs. Charles R. Knight, J. M. Gleeson, 

 and L. A. Fuertes, have worked here during the year for considerable periods, and 

 some of Mr. Ernest Seton-Thompson's charming pictures are based on studies made 

 in the park. 



Of the more important photographic work may be mentioned that of Mr. A. Rad- 

 clyffe Dugmore, the author of " Bird Homes," whose picture of a beaver is shown here- 

 with, and that of Mr. E. F. Keller, of New York City, whose photographs of mule 

 deer, bear, moose, and antelope are also reproduced. 



