68 EEPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



this time the wire has become seriously weakened by rust in spite of all 

 efforts made for its preservation. A general reconstruction of the fences and 

 .paddocks will soon be necessary. During the year considerable repairs have 

 been given to the fences inclosing the deer and the yak, and an additional in- 

 closure and shelter has been made for deer. 



Public comfort rooms. — The park is still deficient in suitable public comfort 

 rooms for the accommodation of the public, especially for women and children, 

 and this is especially felt on holidays, when the park is crowded. On Easter 

 Monday thousands of children, with their parents and nurses, remain at the 

 park nearly all day, and the accommodations are wholly insufficient. During 

 the past year the rooms for women have been more than doubled, but they are 

 still too small. A building is badly needed in which a public comfort room 

 and restaurant could be combined. 



treats and henclies. — During tlie i»ast year a special clause for the purchase 

 of seats was inserted in the act making general appropriations for the park. 

 One hundred and sixty movable seats and 30 stationary benches were made 

 and distributed throughout the park at points where they may be convenient 

 for tlie public. 



Coniferous trees. — The park received during the year an important gift of 

 coniferous trees from Mr. Lowell M. Palmer, of Stamford, Conn. These com- 

 prise some thousands of specimens of different species. They will be planted 

 in appropriate situations, and it is believed that they will eventually greatly 

 add to the natural beauty of the park. 



New survey and map. — The map whi(;h was prepared early in the history of 

 the park has gradually become almost useless because of the ntimerous altera- 

 tions that have been made. More accurate and abundant detail was also 

 required in order that work might be always effectively planned. For this 

 reason ;i new survey was made and a map prepared of the most important part 

 of the park, covering about 40 acres. This map shows all trees, shrubbery, 

 water and sewer pipes, and every detail of configuration practicable to express 

 on its scale, which is 50 feet to the inch. Such a survey should be extended to 

 the entire park. 



Important accessions. — The following animals were received by gift : 

 From the President : One zebra, 1 lion, 2 gelada baboons, 1 north African 

 ostrich, 1 Somali ostrich (from the King of Abyssinia), 1 female .iaguar (from 

 E. II. Plumacher, American consul at Maracaibo, Venezuela), also several small 

 mammals, an eagle, etc. 



From E. H. Plumacher, American consul, Maracaibo, Venezuela : Twenty-two 

 specimens, including a young jaguar. 2 ocelots, 2 monlvcys. 2 rough foxes, several 

 parrots, etc. 



From the Hon. H. G. Squiei-s. envoy extraordinary and minister plenipoten- 

 tiary to Cuba : Eight specimens, including 3 Cuban deer and a hawk-bill turtle. 

 From Admiral Robley D. Evans, U. S. Navy : One Philippine deer. 

 There were procured for the park by Dr. F. W. Coding, American consul at 

 Newcastle, New South Wales : Fifteen specimens, including 3 kangaroos, 1 

 female Tasmanian devil (to complete pair), 1 male Tasmanian wolf (to com- 

 plete pair), 2 brush turke.ys, 2 Australian cranes, and some smaller birds. 



P^rom J. N. Kuflin. American consul at Asuncion, Paraguay : One young jaguar, 

 2 ca])ybaras. 2 coypus. and a king vulture. 



By exchange there were received from New York Zoological Park : One llama, 

 1 mandrill baboon, 1 hornbill, 2 crowned cranes. 



From the Zoological Garden at Buenos Ayres, Argentine Republic : One pair 

 guanacos, 1 ]>air peccaries, 1 hairy armadillo, I female rhea (to complete pair), 

 1 pair upland geese, 1 crested screamer, 2 rufous tinamou. 



