APPENDIX 6 
REPORT ON THE NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 
Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith the following report 
on the operations of the National Zoological Park for the fiscal year 
ended June 30, 1926. 
The appropriation made by Congress under the bill for the Dis- 
trict of Columbia for the regular maintenance of the park was 
$157,000, and there was the usual allotment of $300 for printing and 
binding. Virtually the entire appropriation was required for 
maintenance, so that very little could be done in the way of per- 
manent improvement, and some much-needed repairs had to be 
deferred. 
While the collection of animals on exhibition has not decreased 
in numbers it has lost somewhat in value, as several serious gaps 
have occurred during the year which it has not been possible to fill. 
There is especial lack among the larger kinds of mammals which are 
expensive and, therefore, difficult to include in the present budget. 
ACCESSIONS 
Gifts——There were added to the collection by gift a total of 150 
animals. The Canadian Government, through Hon. J. B. Harkin, 
commissioner of Dominion parks, presented a splendid male Rocky 
Mountain sheep as a new head to the little herd that has bred here 
so successfully for nine years past. 
Six fine specimens of rhea, the ostrich of South America, were 
received as a gift from Dr. Daniel Garcia Accevedo, of Montevideo, 
Uruguay; and a fine collection of South American snakes, includ- 
ing specimens of bushmaster and fer-de-lance, was presented by 
Dr. Vital Brazil, of Sao Paulo, Brazil. All these came from South 
America under the special care of Dr. W. L. Schmitt of the Na- 
tional Museum. 
Dr. H. C. Kellers, United States Navy, who accompanied the 
department’s solar eclipse expedition to Sumatra, brought back for 
the park a very interesting collection of birds and snakes, including 
hornbills, fruit pigeons, various other birds, and two Philippine 
green snakes. ‘These reached the park in excellent condition and 
make valuable additions to the exhibits. 
91 
