REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



63 



w The ground vacated upon the hill, which is one of the most desirable sites in the 

 park for buildings, was used for the erection of a large shed suitable for herbivorous 

 animals requiring a moderate degree of heat. This house is about 40 by 100 feet 

 with a wing 30 by 40 feet. The small sum available made it necessary to limit the 

 construction to bare necessities. It was therefore impossible to lay a lloor or to 

 finish the interior in any but the roughest manner. Eventually this house will be 

 used mainly for such animals as antelopes and tropical deer. It is therefore known 

 as the antelope house. Its cost was about $3,500. 



The aquarium received from the Atlanta Exposition was partly set up in one of 

 the abandoned sheds. About $200 was expended on this during the year. Iu order 

 to obtain a suitable person for keeping this aquarium a competitive examination was 

 held by the Civil Service Commission and the successful competitor was finally 

 appointed. The first tanks to be established were those for fresh water. These 

 have been fed by water from the city mains, but as this is frequently very turbid it 

 became necessary to use an alum filter for the purpose of clearing it. This is dis- 

 advantageous, as it requires constant care and watchfulness to prevent an excess of 

 the salt impregnating the water and injuring the fish. It is thought that a more 

 satisfactory water supply can be obtained by sinking wells near the creek and forc- 

 ing the water to the aquarium by a pump. 



A new deer paddock was established during the year upon the high ground near 

 the western entrance at a cost of $800. The cold damp exposure near the creek, 

 where the paddocks have been situated, is found to affect the health of the animals. 



Small shelters and alterations amounting to $700 were made during the year. 



There was expended upon the continuation of the road along the meadow and its 

 slopes $4,800. Repairs to existing roads amounted to about $1,000. Upon walks 

 there was spent $650. 



The seeding, planting, sodding, and improving of grounds cost in the neighborhood 

 of $1,200. 



Considerable deterioration in the buildings and inclosnres of the park has occurred 

 during the year, due in great measure to the temporary character of these structures. 

 The elephant barn is still in a very serious condition, the lloor in the principal ani- 

 mal house greatly needs to be wholly replaced, and the smaller buildings and cages 

 must, many of them, soon be entirely rebuilt. The bridge over Rock Creek near the 

 Quarry road shows signs of decay iu some of its principal timbers, and will soon 

 have to be replaced by a more permanent structure. It is estimated that this will 

 cost about $8,500. 



The losses of animals were no greater than is usual among animals kept in con- 

 finement, although several of the buildings are by no means suitable for the animals 

 confined in them. Tropical birds and monkeys necessarily suffer when placed in 

 buildings that are not kept at a constant temperature of at least 70°. It is hoped 

 that houses specially adapted to these classes of animals may be erected in the park 

 at no distant day. 



I append herewith a list of the animals in the park at the close of the year; also 

 the accessions from various sources during the year. 



Animals in the National Zoological Park June SO, 1898. 



Name. 



MAMMALS. 



American bison (Bison amerieanus) 



Zebu (Bos indicus) 



Common goat ( Capra hircue) 



Cashmere goat ( Capra hircus) 



Indian antelope (Antilope cervicapra) 



Prong-horn antelope (Antilocapra ameri- 

 eana) 



Num- 

 ber. 



Name. 



mammals — continued. 



American elk ( Oervus canadensis) 



Virginia deer (Cariacus virginianus) 



Solid-hoofed hog (Sus scrofa, var. solidimgu 



lata) 



Peccary (Dicotyles tajagu) 



Llama (Auchenia glama) 



Guanaco (Auchenia huanacos) 



Num 

 ber. 



