NINTH ANNUAL REPORT. 77 



was made wholly by the Park force of wire-workers, and 

 the result of this experiment has proven to be highly satisfac- 

 tory. 



Guard wires to a total length of 8,160 feet were constructed 

 along the paths and roads, of coiled-steel wire on wrought-iron 

 posts. 



A special breeding cage for song birds was constructed on the 

 rocky hill near the Aquatic Birds' House. 



Two brick vaults for electric -light converters were constructed 

 in the Lion House and Ostrich House. 



The three large outside cages at the Lion House received, from 

 the hand of Carl Rungius, the noted animal painter, the land- 

 scape backgrounds above and behind their rustic rockwork. ac- 

 cording to the original scheme. The result has been cordiallv 

 approved by the Executive Committee and the public. 



Maintenance Work. — The entire Flying Cage was scraped free 

 from rust, repaired and thoroughly painted. Among other in- 

 stallations similarly treated are the following : 



Ducks' Aviary Fence. Wolf and Fox Dens. 



Raccoon Tree. Fence around Mammal Pond. 



Prairie-Dog Fence. Beaver Pond Fence. 



Fence at Sea-Lion Pool. Fence at Crocodile Pool. 



Eagles' and Owls' Cages. Eastern Boundary Fence. 



All of the entrance pavilions were scraped and varnished, and 

 the service buildings and shops repainted. 



Upon the force of maintenance laborers, under Mr. E. H. Cos- 

 tain, fell the work of maintaining cleanliness and order around 

 buildings ; supplying bedding, food and ice to the various build- 

 ings ; keeping the pools and ponds free from ice ; removing the 

 snow from the yards and w^alks ; removing refuse ; mowing the 

 lawns ; protecting the trees ; maintaining and heating the build- 

 ings ; repairing cage work and fences ; caring for the ornamental 

 plants in the various buildings and throughout the grounds ; rais- 

 ing supplies of vegetables and animal food ; harvesting the ice and 

 looking after the hundreds of catch basins, miles of sewer and 

 water pipes, and many other details. Naturally this burden of 

 maintenance details grows heavier with the growth of the Zoo- 

 logical Park as a whole. Mr. Costain is entitled to much credit 

 for his handling of this work. 



Planting. — The entire boundary plantation was supplemented 

 1)y the planting of low-growing trees and native slu-ul)s. Fxten- 



