REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 97 



Ostrich house. — The ostriches and their near relatives the emus, 

 the rheas, and the cassowaries are so large and important that they 

 should have a house to themselves. This should be 120 feet by 35 

 feet, with cages on one side only and yards giving plenty of room 

 for exercise from 30 to 100 feet deep. 



Trojncal waterfowl. — These birds require heat during the cold 

 season and the house would be really their winter quarters. During 

 the summer they would be in the large " flight cage " or in some other 

 outdoor inclosure. A house 120 by 50 feet, with cages on one side 

 and one end, would be required. 



Tropical birds of prey. — These require similar treatment but could 

 not, of course, be housed with the waterfowl. A house 80 by 45 feet 

 with cages on both sides and outside cages 18 feet deep would be 

 needed. 



Aquarium. — An exhibit of fish and other aquatic creatures is neces- 

 sary to a complete survey of the domain of zoology. Such an exhibit 

 was for a few years shown at the park and was one of the most popu- 

 lar features of the collection. It was installed in a rude frame struc- 

 ture erected for temporary use as a carpenters' shop. The tanks and 

 other apparatus were furnished by the United States Fish Commis- 

 sion, having been used at the Atlanta Exposition. The building be- 

 came quite unsafe and in 1901 Congress was asked to appropriate 

 $25,000 toward the construction of a permanent structure. As this 

 was not granted it became necessary to abandon the exhibit until such 

 time as Congress may enable it to be properly housed. A building 

 about 130 by 50 feet would be sufficient for the present. 



Insectary. — In several European gardens an exhibit under glass is 

 made of social and other interesting insects, such as ants, bees, wasps, 

 butterflies, moths, etc. These have proved very attractive and are 

 inexpensive. A house 60 feet by 30 feet with wall cases and table 

 cases would accommodate such an exhibit. 



The foregoing list merely recapitulates the needs of a fairly com- 

 plete establishment such as may be seen in the European capitals. It 

 would be well if the municipal architect, to whom the park is required 

 to go for plans and specifications for buildings, could be asked to 

 prepare estimates of cost for all of the above improvements to pre- 

 sent to Congress. 



In order to accommodate the buildings a considerable amount of 

 grading should be done. The park is already cramped for space for 

 convenient parking of vehicles upon crowded days. Over 50 automo- 

 biles and sight-seeing cars are sometimes assembled here at once, and 

 there is great difficulty in managing them. A request for an appro- 

 priation of $4,000 for grading banks and filling ravines which was 

 asked of Congress last year will be renewed. 



