82 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1914. 



SUMMARY. 



Animals on hand July 1, 1913 1, 468 



Accessions during the year 325 



1,793 

 Deduct loss (by exchange, death, return of animals, etc.) 431 



On hand June 30, 1914 1.362 



Class. 



Species. 



Individuals. 



Mammals 



150 

 172 

 18 



004 



Birds 



097 



Reptiles 



01 









Total 



340 



1,302 







The number of animals on hand at the close of this year was about 

 100 less than the previous year. This decrease occurred mainly in 

 small birds, conditions in the temporary bird house being so unsatis- 

 factory that it seemed advisable to reduce somewhat that part of the 

 collection. The floor of the bird house had to be renewed and the 

 underpinning replaced and made rat proof. 



Fewer reptiles, also, were on hand, as a part of the space pre- 

 viously used for them in the lion house was required for the new 

 hippopotamus. 



VISITORS. 



The number of visitors to the park during the year, as determined 

 by count and estimate, was 733,277, a daily average of 2,009. This 

 was about 100,000 more than during the previous fiscal year. The 

 largest number in any one month was 142,491, in April, 1914. The 

 largest number during one da}^ was 56,981, on April 13 (Easter 

 Monday). Vehicles were excluded from 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. of that 

 day because of the crowded condition of the roads. 



Seventy-nine schools, classes, etc., visited the park, with a total of 

 3,172 individuals. 



IMPROVEMENTS. 



The amount remaining from the appropriation, after providing 

 for maintenance and the acquisition of animals already mentioned, 

 was used for such minor improvements as were most urgentlj^ needed. 

 The fitting up of the old elephant barn as temporary quarters for 

 the pair of African elephants was completed, and a good-sized yard 

 built in connection with it, inclosed by a strong steel fence. The 

 yard includes a bathing pool. The adjoining inclosure and pool 

 for tapirs were completed and put in use early in the year. 



New quarters for hippopotamus were arranged in the lion house 

 by enlarging the cage formerly occupied by elephant seals. This 



