Vol. IX] EVERMANN— DIRECTOR'S REPORT FOR 1919 369 



This Splendid animal is known variously as the Roosevelt 

 Elk or Wapiti, Olympic Elk, or Humboldt Elk. It is the 

 largest and most magnificent of all the elks. It differs from the 

 common Canadian or Rocky Mountain Wapiti in several re- 

 spects, the most important of which are its larger size, larger, 

 broader and more massive skull, and much darker coloration. 



The late Colonel Roosevelt, in his entertaining book, "The 

 Wilderness Hunter," speaks of the Rocky Mountain Elk as 

 "not only the most stately and beautiful of American game, but 

 also the noblest of the stag kind throughout the world" ; and 

 adds : "Whoever kills him has killed the chief of his race, for 

 he stands far above his brethren of Asia and Europe." But this 

 was written before the elk of the Olympics had been described 

 as a distinct species by Dr. C. Hart Merriam who very properly 

 says that "these remarks must now be transferred from the 

 common Wapiti to the Pacific coast animal." Dr. Merriam 

 further says : "I deem it a privilege to name this splendid 

 animal Roosevelt's Wapiti. It is fitting that the noblest deer of 

 America should perpetuate the name of one who, in the midst 

 of a busy public career, has found time to study our larger 

 mammals in their native haunts and who has written the best 

 accounts we have ever had of their habits and chase." 



For this beautiful habitat group the Academy is indebted to 

 Mr. William C. Van Antwerp who very generously gave to the 

 academy the funds necessary to meet the cost. 



The group was prepared by Paul J. Fair, assisted by Arthur 

 L. Reed. The background was painted by Charles Bradford 

 Hudson. 



It was completed December 20, 1919, photographed on the 

 22d, and the plate-glass front was put in on the 23d. On De- 

 cember 30 a private view of the group was given to Mr. Van 

 Antwerp and his friends and on New Year's day it was for- 

 mally opened to the public. 



The public-spirited generosity of Mr. Van Antwerp in thus 

 so materially aiding the Academy in its scientific and educa- 

 tional work is greatly appreciated not only by the Trustees, 

 Council and entire membership of the Academy, but equally so 

 by the general public, many thousands of whom have already 

 viewed this imposing group and been fascinated as well as in- 

 structed by its beauty and fidelity to nature. 



