SEVKXTII ANNUAL REPORT. 57 



about 50 species and varieties of deer, which constitute the finest 

 collection in existence in a zoological garden. 



The collections mentioned above, and those of wild cattle, buf- 

 faloes, bison, wild sheep, goats, ibex, wild horses, and zebras, 

 must excite in every American feelings of profound admiration 

 and envy. In the most positive manner, the Berlin Zoological 

 Garden and its collections indicate to the people of New York, 

 regardless of what has already been accomplished, that a 

 mountain of work yet remains to be done before the New York 

 Zoological Park can even equal its great pacemaker in Berlin. 



The lesson to be drawn to-day from the zoological gardens of 

 Berlin, London, Hamburg, Amsterdam, and Antwerp is unmis- 

 takably plain and pointed. Hereafter we must build more exten- 

 sively, and more rapidly, or we will never equal our greatest rivals, 

 and never make a finish. 



In several respects, the year 1902 has shown the usual rate of 

 progress. The attendance of visitors increased nearly 40 per cent., 

 and the gain for the year in new installations for animals, walks 

 and maintenance equipment has been on the whole fairly satis- 

 factory. The delay in the completion of the Lion House and addi- 

 tional Bear Dens has been a disappointment, but ultimately it 

 will be forgotten in the enjoyment of these important features. 



ATTENDANCE. 



Notwithstanding the fact that the street railway facilities for 

 reaching the entrances to the Zoological Park are as far away as 

 ever, the attendance of visitors has shown a large increase. The 

 monthly record is as follows: 



1901. igo2. 



January 12,483 12,958 



February 16,167 12,155 



March 24,544 54-742 



April 25,822 56,081 



May 50,381 105,519 



June 70,770 89,691 



July 48.375 87,164 



August 74.264 126,874 



September 103,503 63,370 



October 48,995 45,262 



November 32,687 68,268 



December 19.154 9-431 



527,145 73^'5^S 



Total increase for the year, 204,370. 



