Appendix IV. 



REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL 



PARK. 



Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report relating to the condition 

 and operation of the National Zoological Parle for the fiscal year ending June 

 30, 1905. 



Neiv house for mammals. — The principal work that has been prosecuted during 

 the year for the advancement of the park has been that upon the new house for 

 mammals. The structural ironwork was completed about December 1, 1904. and 

 the tile roof was finished about May 1, 1905. This roof was ornamented by 

 terra-cotta finials after models designed by Mrs. Kemeys. A large conduit for 

 heating and ventilating purposes was constructed under the long axis of -the 

 building. The amount expended from the appropriation for the year will reach 

 about $10,000. As the building is situated near the edge of a steep declivity, a 

 heavy fill of earth supported by a retaining wall will be required on the eastern 

 side in order to accommodate the necessary cages and walks. The plastering of 

 this building, the interior and exterior cages, and the woodwork still remain to 

 be done. It is hoped to occupy the building during the coming winter. Con- 

 siderable delays occur from the difliculty of getting suitable mechanics for the 

 work. 



Temporary dird house. — To accommodate the birds kept during the summer 

 in the large flying cage, as well as those received from the St. Louis Exposition, 

 two additions were made to this building. A large indoor cage was fitted up 

 for quail, thrushes, cardinals, etc., and another for finches and other small 

 species, the latter communicating with an outdoor cage. Yards were con- 

 structed for the north African and Somali ostriches received from the Presi- 

 dent, and concrete floors were constructed for several of the larger indoor 

 cages. The total cost of the alterations and extensions was about .?1,200. 



Carnivora house. — A new boiler for the heating apparatus was put in with 

 satisfactory results. Considerable repairs were made to the metal roof, and the 

 ironwork of the outside cages was thoroughly cleaned and repainted, all at a 

 cost of about $800. 



Temporary iear cages. — As funds were wanting for the construction of the 

 permanent dens designed for the collection of bears, the small cages in which 

 those animals are now confined were rearranged so as to give better facilities 

 for drainage. Drains were laid, gutters constructed, and screens planted. 



Inclosures for Mirrowing rodents. — The inclosures heretofore used for this 

 purpose at the park have hitherto not been satisfactory, being badly located 

 and permitting the escape of the animals. Two new inclosures that have proved 

 very satisfactory have been made during the year. One of these, for prairie 

 dogs, was formed by excavating the earth to a depth of 4i feet, paving and 

 grouting the bottom, and then filling in with gravelly earth. Another, for 

 woodchucks, was not excavated so deeply and was closed at the bottom with 

 telford pavement. The cost of the two inclosures was about $500. 



Repairs to inclosures. — Most of the inclosures in the park are made by wire 

 fencing, which has now been in use from five to eight years. In the course of 



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