Report, 1859. ]09 



present a successive series of objects of great interest. 

 At the head of the list of donations, and the most valuable, 

 are a lion and two ostriches, presented by Her Majesty. 

 The Council, having heard of the unexpected arrival of 

 some animals as presents to Her Majesty from the 

 Emperor of Morocco, took steps to submit the claims of 

 the Society to Her Majesty's consideration, and Her 

 .Majesty was graciously pleased to present to the Society 

 a lion and a pair of ostriches. The lion, the Council 

 regret to say, died almost immediately on its landing. It 

 appeared to have suffered from illness of long duration. 

 The ostriches had also felt the effect of a sea voyage at 

 an unfavourable season of the year, but through the 

 indefatigable care of your Assistant Secretary, and those 

 under him, they are in good health, and are just now 

 throwing out their full plumage. The Council entertain 

 a confident hope that her most gracious Majesty will 

 continue to mark her approval of the management and 

 purposes of the Gardens by occasional donations of 

 animals, as opportunities may present themselves. Your 

 Council here desire to record their thanks to the Right 

 Honorable S. Walpole, Secretary of State, and to the 

 Honorable Sir C. Phipps, Keeper of the Privy Purse, for 

 their prompt and kind attention in bringing the application 

 of Council under Her Majesty's consideration. In one 

 department of natural history, that of water fowl, your 

 Garden would be unrivalled if sufficient protection were 

 afforded ; but, as long as only one side of the pond of the 

 Gardens is enclosed, sufficient protection cannot be 

 attained. The unprotected side of the pond permits the 

 escape of water fowl, and leaves them exposed to mis- 

 chievous persons and to dogs. The Council some years 

 ago made an application, which was unsuccessful, to have 

 the pond enclosed. They entertain, however, a confident 

 hope that on the matter being fully explained and again 

 brought under the notice of His Excellency, and of the 

 authorities having the care of the Phoenix Park, their 

 request may be entertained. The fencing which the 

 Council have in contemplation would be so much below 

 the level of the road to the Viceregal Lodge, and of such 

 a nature that not only the view would not be interfered 

 with, but the beauty of the drive would be increased by 

 the appearance of the varieties of water fowl ; while the 

 low rate of admission would present no obstacle to the 

 humblest of the community enjoying both banks of the 



