FIFTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 99 



will be empty — it will at all times be open to all ornithologists 

 and bird-lovers who are interested in the birds of prey. 



FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS 



Eagle and Vulture Aviary. — For several years our really 

 large and fine collection of eagles and vultures has been suffering 

 for an adequate and thoroughly modern aviary, without which 

 no large vivarium can be regarded as completely equipped. At 

 present the large birds of prey are scattered all over the Park, 

 and the raptorial collection has no separate identity whatever. 



Mr. Beerbower spent some months in the preparation of 

 plans and specifications for the Aviary desired, and a brick build- 

 ing back of it for use as a winter shelter for tropical species. A 

 contract for the work was finally awarded to George Hildebrand, 

 for $18,867. Work began on February 15, 1911, and it is hoped 

 that the Aviary itself will be completed by midsummer. 



Additional Bear Dens. — The possession of seven of the great 

 Alaska brown bears, and the legitimate growth of the general 

 collection of bears, rendered it imperatively necessary to pro- 

 vide without delay a series of additional dens. This necessity 

 afforded a long-desired opportunity to provide some smaller dens 

 than any of those now in use, for single specimens of small 

 species that do not thrive in large dens with several companions. 

 Accordingly, Mr. Beerbower prepared plans for a series of eight 

 small dens, and two large ones for bears of the largest size. 

 The site chosen is the hill-side directly opposite the main range 

 of Bear Dens, including the spot where a soda pavilion original- 

 ly stood. 



A contract for these new Bear Dens was awarded to the J. 

 W. Fiske Iron Works, for $7,700, and work is now progressing. 

 These dens, when completed, will permit us to assemble in that 

 locality all the bears that now are exhibited in the Small-Mam- 

 mal House and in other places where bears do not belong. 



We are greatly indebted to Park Commissioner Higgins and 

 his Chief Engineer, Mr. Martin Schenck, for the promptness 

 and energy with which they have taken up and pushed forward 

 every Zoological Park matter that has required their co-opera- 

 tion. 



Respectfully submitted, 



William T. Hornaday, 



Director. 

 January 1, 1911. 



