Appendix 4. 

 REPORT ON THE NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 



Sir : I have the honor to submit herewith a report concerning the 

 operations of the National Zoological Park during the fiscal year 

 ending June 30, 1915. 



The sundry civil act approved August 1, 1914, provided $100,000 

 for improvement and maintenance. The cost of food for the animals 

 during the year was about $23,000, being slightly less than the 

 previous year, when it attained the highest figure yet reached ; exten- 

 sive repairs were required on roads and a considerable amount had 

 to be expended on some of the buildings, all of which reduced the 

 amount available for additional improvements. 



ACCESSIONS. 



Eighty-eight animals were born and hatched in the park. Among 

 these were a South American tapir, an Arabian camel, 4 otters, 5 

 bears, a beaver, and various other mammals and birds. 



The accessions included altogether 25 species not hitherto repre- 

 sented in the collection, and although considerably greater in number 

 than during the previous year, included few of importance, as the 

 supply of foreign animals was largely cut off by the war. A speci- 

 men of Przewalski's horse was secured as were various other animals 

 of less note ; a considerable number of waterfowl were also added. 



EXCHANGES. 



Eighty-two animals were secured through exchange, including 4 

 pumas, a jaguar, a palm civet and other mammals, a considerable 

 number of birds, and a few reptiles. 



GIB'TS. 



Mr. H. H. Bailey, Newport News, Va., a whistling swan. 

 Mr. H. B. Barber, Washington, D. C, a great horned owl. 

 Mr. D. L. Barton, Washington, D. C, an alligator. 

 Mrs. O. L. Beardsley, Washington, D. C, three spermophiles. 

 Mrs. B. O. Billingsby, Jules Station, Va., a skunk. 

 Miss Lillian Birney, Washington, D. C, an alligator. 

 Mr. F. D. Bradford, Washington, D. C, four alligators. 

 Mr. M. E. Bruce, Philadelphia, Pa., two yellow-naped parrots. 

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