REPORT OF 

 THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 



TO THE BOARD OF MANAGERS 



IN NOVEMBER, 1909, the Society will celebrate the Decen- 

 nial of the opening of the Park in an appropriate manner 

 It is really a great achievement that, in the short space of ten 

 years, through the loyal cooperation of our members, of the 

 city authorities, and of the able stafif of experts, a zoological 

 park ranking among the first in the world has been created. The 

 Administration Building will then be opened, and for the first 

 time members will find an attractive meeting place and special 

 accommodations when visiting the Park. 



There are three great objects to which this Society must 

 especially devote attention and effort during the coming year, as 

 follows : 



Endoii'viejit Fund. — An Endowment Fund for the perpetuation 

 of the Society, similar to that enjoyed by the Aletropolitan AIu- 

 seum of Art, and the American ]\Iuseum of Natural History, is 

 absolutely essential. The welfare of the Society now depends on 

 the annual dues and the individual efforts of its officers. Certain 

 contingencies might arise which would jeopardize what should be 

 absolutely secure, namely, its perpetuation and service to the 

 community. This can only be rendered certain through an ade- 

 quate Endowment Fund. The Executive Committee, during the 

 coming year, will attempt to raise $200,000 toward a fund 

 which should ultimately be $1,000,000. 



Conservation of Wild Life. — From the first, preservation of the 

 wild life of North America has been one of the avowed objects of 

 the Society. The officers of the Society, especially our Director, 

 Dr. William T. Hornaday, and our Secretary, ]\Ir. iMadison 

 Grant, have been extremely active in devising and securing effec- 

 tive legislation in various parts of the United States, in Alaska, 

 in New'foundland, and even in British Columbia, for the preser- 

 vation of wild life. Indirectly the Society has also, through its 

 officers, been instrumental in the great movement for the Bison 

 Preserves of Oklahoma and Alontana. The urgency of this 

 movement increases with the rapidly increasing destruction of 

 game in all parts of our great country, and with it increases 

 the responsibility of the Society, both officially and through 



