THIRD ANNUAL REPORT. 35 



MAINTENANCE OF THE ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 



During the preparation of the annual estimates for 1899, Park 

 Commissioner Moebus requested the Society to forward a memo- 

 randum stating' the amount of money likely to be required for the 

 maintenance of the Zoological Park during that year and the pur- 

 poses for which it would be expended. The Society applied for 

 $60,000 for the year, furnishing a detailed statement of the various 

 expenditures necessary. The Commissioner called upon the City 

 treasury for $30,000 as a maintenance fund for six months, with 

 the understanding that if the Zoological Park is stocked with ani- 

 mals early in 1899 it will be proper to apply later in the year for 

 whatever supplementary appropriations for maintenance may be- 

 come necessary to carry the institution through the year. 



It is to be noted, therefore, that the City of New York is faith- 

 fully and cheerfully performing all its obligations toward the 

 Zoological Park. Every department which the officers of the 

 Society has been obliged to call upon for assistance — the Board 

 of Estimates, the Finance and Law Departments, and the Depart- 

 ments of Sewers, Police, Water, and Fire — each has responded 

 promptly and in a spirit of cordial helpfulness which has not only 

 materially aided, but very greatly encouraged, the Society in the 

 execution of its great task. It is this spirit of co-operation which 

 now renders it absolutely certain that the Zoological Park will be 

 to this city not only all that its founders have desired, but even 

 more. 



PROTECTION OF OUR NATIVE ANIMALS. 



Owing to the great pressure of work for the Zoological Park 

 the Society has not been able to devote to this important object 

 more than a small proportion of the effort it would gladly have 

 put forth. Our members are again reminded that the protection 

 of our native animals is one of the three great objects for which the 

 Society was organized. 



Despite the pressure of other business, however, the Society 

 accomplished during the past year one task in this line which it 

 is safe to say has proven of great importance, if not of practical 

 value, to our native birds. In accordance with a resolution adopted 

 at the last annual meeting, the Director made a systematic inquiry, 



