EEPORT OP THE SECRETARY. 69 



It lias been found extremely difficult to make satisfactory arrangements for 

 transportation from distant South American ports. The steamship companies 

 refuse to receive animals without prepayment of transportation charges, which 

 in the case of the United States Government is impracticable. Certain ship- 

 ments of animals from Buenos Ayres are now waiting until some satisfactory 

 adjustment can be made. 



Through exchange with the New Zealand government (arranged by the 

 President and mentioned in 1904 report) S roe deer were received. Ten 

 elk, a munber of birds, and several small mammals were delivered to the rep- 

 resentatives of the New Zealand government in February and are understood 

 to have reached their destination safely. The elk were desired for propagating 

 purposes. 



Births. — The births, 134 in number, included 1 American bison, 7 elk, 4 mule 

 deer, 2 Columbian black-tailed deer, 3 Virginia deer, 2 fallow deer, 2 Barbary 

 sheep, 1 Brazilian tapir, 23 blue foxes, 7 dingo, 9 gray wolves, several kanga- 

 roos, various rodents, etc. ; also about 30 young of night heron and other birds 

 which nested in the flying cage. The wild turkeys which were hatched in the 

 spring of 1904 have run at large, and 6, together with the hen, still remain in 

 the park. 



Deaths. — Gastro-intestinal troubles was the chief cause of death of animals 

 and included 2 young jaguars and several other cats, 2 Tasmanian zebra wolves, 

 a Kocky Mountain sheep, a cassowary, several flamingos, and various other 

 birds and small mammals. A number of bhie foxes were lost from uncinaria 

 and two fi'om ascaris canis. 



Deaths from tuberculosis, though less in number, included more large ani- 

 mals, among those lost being 1 bison cow, 1 nilghai, 1 red deer, 7 roe deer, 2 

 elk, and 4 monkeys. The majority of these animals had recently come into 

 the collection and were undoubtedly affected with the disease when received. 

 Three monkeys were lost from osteomalacia, or " cage paralysis," and a tinamou 

 from pulmonary aspergillosis. 



Two elk and 1 prong-horn antelope were lost from accident, due in the latter 

 case to fright. 



Autopsies were made as heretofore by the pathologists of the Bureau of 

 Animal Industry, either at the park, in the case of large animals, or at the 

 laboratory of the Bureau in the case of the smaller kinds. 



Readjustment of boundaries. — An item was again submitted in the estimates 

 for $60,000 to purchase the land between the park and the new highways estab- 

 lished along the eastern and western sides of the park. (Public Act, April 28, 

 1904, " For the opening of connecting highways on the east#and west sides of 

 the Zoological Park, District of Columbia.") No action was taken by Con- 

 gress. 



Exhibit at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. — This was successfully main- 

 tained throughout the season with comparatively little loss. Two keepers were 

 employed during the summer and autuiim. The exhibit closed about the middle 

 of November on account of cold weather, the birds beuig removed and trans- 

 ferred to the National Zoological Park. The cage was purchased by the citj' 

 of St. Louis at its appraised value. 



Personnel. — The fixed force of the park numbers about 82 persons, of whom 

 8 are assigned to the administration, 29 to the care of animals, 20 to the mechan- 

 ical department, 18 to the care of grounds, and 7 to the watch. Considerable 

 difficulty has been found in obtaining suitable men for positions of keepers of 

 animals. To be effective in this duty it is iiecessarf to be quick, active, always 

 alert, neither timorous nor venturesome, and to have a natural aptitude for 



