232 TEE ZOOLOOIGAL SOCIETY. 



In reporting on the works at the Gardens in 1903, the 

 Council said that very much was required to bring that part 

 of the estabhshment into a condition worthy of the Society. 

 The improvements, carried out in accordance with the Report 

 of the Reorganisation Committee, included repairs and restora- 

 tions, and better accommodation for housing. Under the 

 former heading a good deal of work was done; telephonic 

 communication was established with the fire station at Camden 

 Town, and hydrants and hose were provided. The Resident 

 Superintendent's house was thoroughly overhauled, enlarged, 

 and fitted with proper office accommodation. 



In the North Garden the canal bank was turfed and laid 

 out with running water and rockwork as cranes' paddocks, 

 where the birds are seen to advantage in natural surroundings. 

 Beyond the pheasantry stables with railed courtyards were 

 erected to accommodate surplus stock. 



The canal bank aviary, opposite the moufflons' yards, was 

 the most important work in the Middle Garden. It consists 

 of an iron framework on concrete foundations and covered 

 with wire netting. It is about 75 ft. long, 52 ft. wide, and 

 over 30 ft. high. The interior contains a number of pollarded 

 trees with nesting-boxes, and is laid out with running water, 

 making several pools, and grass and shrubs. The stock at 

 first consisted of crows, herons, gulls, pheasants, and parrots 

 (using that term in a wide sense), but is now tenanted only by 

 members of the last-named group. The plan of keeping these 

 birds in the open has been very successful. The suricates' 

 cage was put up in a corner of the beaver enclosure. It 

 now, in addition, contains a colony of prairie marmots, which 

 live in harmony with some burrowing owls. The outdoor 

 cage for hardy small mammals dates from this year, as does 

 the new kites' aviary on the eastern boundary walk near the 

 refreshment-room. The old fish house, renamed the diving 

 birds' house, was thoroughly restored ; and a large tank was put 

 up in the centre for the exhibition of the birds. 



In 1904 restorations were effected in the small cats' house, 

 which was then used for squirrels ; elephant, giraffe, and zebra 

 house; Main Entrance and South Entrance lodges, bears' 

 den, antelope house, lion house, reptile house, and deer sheds. 



