74 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



is to be devoted to pigeons and doves. This installation is situ- 

 ated on the west side of the Aquatic Mammals' Pond, and occu- 

 pies the site of the old aviary. 



GROUND IMPROVEMENT WORK UNDER THE DIRECTION OF 

 ZOOLOGICAL PARK OFFICER.S. 



During the year 1904 the Ground- liii|)rovement force, working 

 under the direction of Mr. Herman W. Merkel, Chief Constructor, 

 has been larger than ever before, and its work has been not only 

 of great importance, but also very satisfactory, from every point 

 of view. The principal items will be briefly mentioned. 



Baird Court. — During the year a great amount of labor" and 

 materials was expended on the southern half of Baird Court. 

 An elaborate system of drainage was laid, underground conduits 

 were constructed to convey electric-light cables and telephone 

 wires to all the buildings of Baird Court, and the entire surface 

 was filled, graded and paved. The portions to be used as walks 

 were covered with telford macadam, and after a series of careful 

 experiments were finished with a tarred surface. The eastern 

 wall was built up in conformity with the final plan of Baird 

 Court, and much of the new area thus enclosed was filled in. 

 Idle shade trees will be planted in the spring of 1905. 



Hurrowiny^ Rodents' Quarters. — The rusting of the wire of the 

 Burrowing Rodents" (Quarters necessitated a new covering, and 

 advantage was taken of that occasion to lay concrete floors in 

 all the cages, to make them entirely rat-proof. The rock-work 

 was reconstructed on an im])rove(l plan, and, on the whole, the 

 installation is now more perfect and attractive than heretofore. 

 It is believed that the plague of rats which once afliicted this 

 collection is now permanently abated. With the beginning of 

 spring, this entire series of cages will be stocked with a new 

 collection. 



Electric Conduits. — The cunstructinn of a system of electric 

 conduits, with which tn carr\ clrctric-light cables to the build- 

 ings of Baird Court and .\u(hil:<in ( ourt, was an im])orlanl item 

 of construction. All this work was performed under the direc- 

 tion of Mr. Merkel. in accordance with the j^lans and sj)ecifica- 

 tions of Mr. James Robert Moore. Electrical bjigineer. and it is 

 believed that this im])oriant imi)rovement is on a permanent basis. 

 The total nuinbrr of linral fcrt of tlii^T inch vitrified conduit 

 constructcfl during the year was .v-^'"*- 



Rebuilding of Walks. — in the _\ear iS</;. when the total fund 



