EEPOET OF THE SECEETAEY. 59 



The completion of the series of yards made it possible to transfer all of the 

 bears from the temporary wooden cages that they have been occupying to their 

 permanent quarters. The cages were then removed, and the area which they 

 had occupied was graded and planted. 



Wolf and fox yards. — Since the occupation of the park the wolves and foxes 

 have been kept in temporary yards near the lion house. This has been unsatis- 

 factory in several respects, the yards being of an irregular and unsightly 

 character, rather obtrusive, and not as secure as desirable. A better site for 

 them was selected at the foot of the steep acclivity, where the stream from the 

 beaver valley empties into Rock Creek. There were constructed here a series 

 of ten yards having a total frontage of 230 feet, with a depth varying from 

 16 to 36 feet. The fence was constructed of heavy wire netting with square 

 mesh, on steel posts, and has a height of 6 feet 6 inches. A retiring den for 

 each yard was excavated in the hill at the rear of the cages and arranged with 

 a door outside the inclosure for the keeper's use. These cages, as well as the 

 bear yards, were completed and occupied in the late autumn of 190S. 



An entirely pleasant feature of this site is its secluded, woodland character, 

 enhanced by the little stream flowing down over rocks to the creek. Consider- 

 able planting was done here, using the material indigenous to the neighborhood 

 in order to retain as far as possible the original character of the forest. 



The cost of this series of yards was about $2,600. 



KOADS AND WALKS. 



Lack of funds prevented the continued prosecution of the repair of roads 

 and walks in the park, only such work being done as was absolutely necessary 

 for the public safety. The Adams Mill road and part of the road along the 

 banks of the creek were treated with a coal-tar product known as " terracolio," 

 to obtain freedom from dust and prevent the washing of the roadbed during 

 heavy rains. This was fairly successful. Some of the walks were treated 

 with another coal-tar preparation known as " tarvia." This, too, proved an 

 excellent preventive of dust and abrasion. 



The shaded walk and stairway from the Adams Mill entrance to the lower 

 levels of the park was completed and a small rest house and shelter built at 

 the upper end. It is believed that this walk can be made one of the most 

 attractive features of the park. In spite of the careful watch, some difficulty 

 is experienced in preventing the uprooting and carrying away by visitors of 

 the ferns and other specimens that have been planted in profusion along its 

 sides. The amount expended on the walk during the present year was about 

 $700, while the rustic shelter, 20 by 25 feet, cost approximately $400. 



ACCESSIONS AND LOSSES. 



Gifts included 5 chamois from Bernese Oberland, received through the De- 

 partment of the Interior from the Swiss Government as a gift to the United 

 States Government; 3 young Alaskan brown bears from Mr. George Mixter, 2d, 

 of Boston, Mass. ; 3 Barbados woolless sheep, from the United States Department 

 of Agriculture ; a large grizzly bear and female black bear with 2 cubs were 

 received from Lieut. Gen. S. B. M. Young, superintendent Yellowstone National 

 •Park; also 2 mule deer and 2 prong-horn antelopes from Maj. H. C Benson, who 

 succeeded General Young at the Yellowstone Park. Ten beavers were also 

 obtained in the Yellowstone Park through the cooperation of General Young. 



A lioness, a pair of Sarus cranes, 2 European flamingoes, and a fishing cat 

 were received in exchange for surplus animals. 



