84 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1911. 



colder months food is provided for the winter residents in various 

 parts of the park. 



Of all the native wild birds within the park perhaps none attract 

 so much attention as the turkey vultures, or " buzzards," which con- 

 gregate here in great numbers during the fall and winter months. 

 Food, at practically no expense, is provided for the vultures, and they 

 become very tame and confiding. Many visitors from the Northern 

 States, to whom the birds are a novel sight, greatly admire the grace- 

 ful flight of these interesting creatures. During the summer months 

 the vultures scatter out over the surrounding country to nest, and 

 only a few appear within the boundaries of the park, but the security 

 afforded for winter roosts brings them back in great numbers with 

 the approach of autumn. 



Bobwhite quail appear to be increasing in numbers within the 

 park and are now fairly abundant. A considerable number of these 

 birds must help stock the surrounding country from year to year. 



Numerous bird classes from the schools and parties of Audubon 

 Society members find the wilder parts of the park ideal grounds for 

 observation of the birds. 



ALTERATION OF WESTERN BOUNDARY. 



It again appears desirable to recapitulate for future reference the 

 various stages through which the matter of the adjustment of the 

 western boundary, near the Connecticut Avenue entrance, has passed. 



The following appropriation was made by the act approved June 

 23, 1913: 



Readjustment of boundaries: For acquiring, by condemnation, all the lots, 

 pieces, or parcels of land, other than the one hereinafter excepted, that lie 

 between the present western boundary of the National Zoological Park and 

 Connecticut Avenue from Cathedral Avenue to Klingle Road, $107,200, or such 

 portion thereof as may be necessary, said land when acquired, together with 

 the included highways, to be added to and become a part of the National 

 Zoological Park. The proceedings for the condemnation of said land shall be 

 instituted by the Secretary of the Treasury under and in accordance with the 

 terms and provisions of subchapter 1 of chapter 15 of the Code of Law for the 

 District of Columbia. 



As the act required that the proceedings be instituted by the Secre- 

 tary of the Treasury, the attention of that official Avas called to the 

 matter in a letter from the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 

 dated June 28, 1913. A special survey and plat of the land required 

 was necessary, but this plat was not forwarded to the Department of 

 Justice until November 5, 1913. Other delays ensued; the title of 

 the various owners of the land had to be investigated, and it was not 

 until March 11, 1914, that the district court ordered a jury to be 

 summoned. A hearing was set for April 10, 1914, and a final hearing 

 of the case was heard by the jury on July 2 following. The verdict 



