80 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1918. 



It is estimated that an expenditure of about $2,000 will be necessary 

 to put this building in good condition. 



Adams Mill Road grade and stairway. — The work of grading 

 Adams Mill Koad between Clydesdale Place and Harvard Street, re- 

 cently commenced by the District, will make necessary some expendi- 

 ture on the part of the park to care for the resulting fill above the 

 stairway and walk leading into the park from the Adams Mill Road 

 gates. At present it is impossible to estimate the exact amount of 

 work that will be needed, but it is probable that a new bridge and 

 walk will have to be built at one point, with a substantial retaining 

 wall at the base of the fill for the safety of the public. A very narrow 

 strip of land between Adams Mill Eoad and the park, from Clydes- 

 dale Place to Ontario Eoad, still in private ownership, should be 

 added to the park for the protection of this point. 



Additional lake for waterfowl. — Exhibits of waterfowl are among 

 the most popular and instructive features of the park. An additional 

 lake, to be used for the birds in summer and for skating in winter, 

 could be built at comparatively small expense on the open flat near 

 the Harvard Street entrance. 



Aviary building. — The need of a new house for the exhibition of 

 birds has been felt for some years and is becoming more pressing 

 because of the greatly increased numbers of visitors now cared for 

 in the park. Such a building should be provided with commodious 

 public space. The aisles in the old bird house are far too narrow 

 for the crowds of the present day, and the exhibition of birds, im- 

 portant and valuable as it is, can not be properly displayed. 



Reptile house. — A public exhibition building, properly constructed 

 and equipped for the display of reptiles and amphibians, would be 

 greatly appreciated by visitors. The small collection of reptiles now 

 kept in inadequate and wholly unsuited quarters in the lion house 

 is very popular. The reptile house should be planned to show in 

 natural environment the various types of reptiles of economic im- 

 portance, those sought and used for food, and those feared by man 

 in many countries. The educational value of such a building could 

 be developed to a point of great importance. 



Outdoor quarters for mammals. — Many species of mammals, espe- 

 cially some of the larger carnivores, now kept in cages in heated 

 buildings, could be much better shown and more pleasantly and 

 healthfully located in outdoor quarters with warm but unheated 

 shelters. A large African lion, kept in the park for two winters 

 without artificial heat, has shown marked improvement from such 

 treatment. Such provision should be made for the exhibition of 

 certain of the lions, the Siberian tigers, and other mammals. Out- 

 door cages, adjoining the winter quarters, should be constructed on 

 the east side of the lion house for the leopards, jaguars, and hyenas. 



