TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT 93 



and degrees of destructiveness were carefully considered, and 

 met as far as possible. The tops of the cages were sloped to 

 facilitate cleaning, and built of sheet iron and heavy corrugated 

 glass, making the entire upper tier much lighter than before. 



Each cage was supplied with a triangular sleeping box that 

 can be removed for cleaning purposes, and while these of neces- 

 sity were made of wood, they were reinforced on all exposed 

 edges and corners by heavy strips of sheet metal, to prevent 

 their destruction by the teeth and claws of the animals. 



These rebuilt cages, fifty-eight in number, are a vast im- 

 provement in appearance and comfort, as well as from a sanitary 

 point of view. With proper care, they should last as long as 

 the building itself. It is expected that early in 1917, work will 

 be commenced on the eighteen larger cages on the east side, so 

 as to finish them before the busy season commences. The cost 

 of the work in the Mammal House during 1916 was $1,880.32. 



Elephant House Wire-Guards. — To prevent visitors from 

 throwing food, etc., into the stalls, and also to prevent possible 

 injuries to visitors by the animals, a high guard of wire netting 

 was erected above the railing in front of the stalls of the rhin- 

 oceros and the African elephants. The cost of the work was 

 $100. 



West Roof, Reptile House. — The western section of the 

 roof of the Reptile House developed leaks and became somewhat 

 dangerous on account of dry rot in the wooden rafters. This 

 was due in part to faulty construction, and in part to the ex- 

 cessive amount of moisture from the evaporation of the water 

 in the Conservatory and the Alligator Pool. The very large 

 metal skylight, and the decayed rafters, roofing, and interior 

 sheathing were removed and rebuilt in a better manner, and the 

 slate laid upon a foundation of heavy bituminous paper. Snow 

 guards were also installed in order to prevent the breaking of 

 the glass of the Conservatory by the avalanches of heavy snow 

 and ice, which have sometimes occurred after extra heavy snow- 

 falls in previous winters. 



Concrete Piers and Floor for Large Shelter Pavilion. — The 

 large Shelter Pavilion near the Wolf and Fox Dens had been 

 thrown out of line by the forces of the elements, and owing 

 to the decay of the post bases and heavy floor sills had become 

 dangerous. To make the foundation floor of this building more 



