REPORT OF THE SECRETARY 29 
NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 
Although the number of animals in the park remains practically 
the same as in the previous year, the value of the collection has 
decreased somewhat through the loss of a number of the larger 
mammals which are expensive and therefore difficult to replace. 
Among the 150 animals presented to the park may be mentioned 
six specimens of the rhea, the ostrich of South America; a very 
interesting collection of birds and snakes from Sumatra; a three- 
toed sloth; an ocelot; a fine pair of Canada lynx; a Tasmanian walla- 
by; and four giant salamanders. One hundred and one mammals, 
birds and reptiles were born or hatched in the park during the year. 
The mammals included Rocky Mountain sheep, moufion, Alpine ibex, 
American bison, Indian buffalo, yak, guanaco, various deer, Javan 
and Japanese monkeys, raccoon, rock kangaroo, and beaver. The 
animals lost by death included a number that had been in the park 
for long periods, the longest record being that of a sloth bear, which 
had lived in the park for 21 years and 6 months. The total number 
of animals at the close of the year was 1,619, including 461 mammals, 
1,042 birds, and 116 reptiles and batrachians. 
The number of visitors for the year was 2,512,900, slightly less 
than the year before, but more than in any previous year. Schools 
and classes visiting the park numbered 309, comprising 24,309 
individuals. General improvements included grading along the new 
western boundary of the park near Cathedral Avenue, a large amount 
of needed repairing to roofs, rebuilding the roadway to and around 
the administration building, and putting in a new drainage system 
for the cages and walks on the south side of the lion house. 
It is gratifying to report that provision is made in the appropria- 
tion for the coming year for a bird house, for which there has been 
urgent need for several years. It is planned to begin construction in 
the spring of 1927. This structure will enable the officials of the 
park to assemble a collection of birds worthy of the National Zoologi- 
cal Park. Funds were made available during the past year for fur- 
nishing uniforms to the park policemen, making possible the main- 
tenance of a better standard of personal appearance. Similar pro- 
vision should also be made for the keepers, who are brought to a 
considerable extent into contact with the public. 
In connection with the Smithsonian series of radio talks, a new 
series was begun during the year entitled “ Radio Nature Talks from 
the National Zoological Park.” In this series, thirty-one 15-minute 
talks were given through station WRC, each preceded by a brief 
statement of current news of the park. 
Through the interest and financial support of Mr. Walter P. 
Chrysler, automobile manufacturer, an expedition was sent to Tan- 
20837—27——_4 
