REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW YORK 



ZOOLOGICAL PARK TO THE BOARD 



OF MANAGERS. 



At last the spell has been broken; and to-day, thoiij^h very in- 

 complete, the Zoological Park of Greater New York is an accom- 

 plished fact. The foundation has been laid, and a goodly portion 

 of the superstructure has been completed and occupied. The 

 people as a whole have done a portion of the goodly work, but 

 private generosity and private enterprise have done more. 



But our task is only one-third of the way toward completion. 

 The private effort represented by the Zoological Society stands 

 pledged to donate $75,000 more within eighteen months, and the 

 people should now provide $300,000 for the continuation of the 

 improvements which are needed to render the Zoological Park 

 more completely available for the use to which it has been devoted. 

 In view of the fifty years of delay that have elapsed in the found- 

 ing of this institution, both the sums named above should be fur- 

 nished promptly and cheerfully, in order that we may, to some 

 extent, make up for lost time. It is beneath the dignity of Greater 

 New York to allow this enterprise, involving but a comparatively 

 small expenditure, to languish and halt through lack of additional 

 funds. Assuming that all those who have contributed toward the 

 work of the Society will be interested in the business methods and 

 work of their representatives," this is the story, in brief, of the 

 past year's eflforts in the creation of New York's Zoological Park. 



"WORK OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



The beginning of the year 1899 revealed less progress in im- 

 provements generally than had been hoped for. Instead of being 

 walled and roofed, the Reptile House had not risen above its 

 foundations. The Bird House was roofed with boards, but it 

 was a mere empty shell, standing over an ice-bound reservoir of 

 water, for which escape was impossible. The Birds' Valley sewer, 

 for which the Director had labored so persistently in order that 



