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$59,700, and the work has been executed by this firm in a manner extremely satisfactory to the Park Department and to the Society. The opening of this building was very timely, because our large collection of monkeys, which had accumulated during the summer, was much crowded in the Small Mammal House. While the Society was fortunate in escaping any special mortality among the primates, many of the more interesting species could not be placed on exhibition, owing to the absence of heated quarters. The removal of these animals to their new quarters in the Primate House made available a large number of cages, which can now be used for the exhibition of small mammals.

The Committee desires to call the attention of the Society to the modeling of the frieze and pediment of the House for Primates, which were executed by Mr. A. P. Proctor, and especially to two large Hamadryas Baboons, the models for which have been presented to the Society by the sculptor. The heating and ventilating of this building-in fact all its appointments -have proved perfect.

The contract for the Lion House, which is located at the southwest corner of Baird Court, was let on June 17, 1901, to the same contractors, Thomas F. Cockerill & Son, for $134,500. This amount, however, does not include the contract for $8,300 with Mr. Eli Harvey, who has been employed to do the modeling and carving of animal sculptures in connection with this building, or the commissions of the Architects. Mr. Harvey's work includes an elaborate frieze and the modeling and cutting in granite of the four sentinel lions to be placed on either side of the north and south entrances. These items will bring the total cost to something over $150,000. Work has also progressed on this building in a very satisfactory manner, and the Society expects to be able to install its collection during the summer of 1902.

COMPLETION OF BAIRD COURT.

The general design of Baird Court and its approaches, as submitted by Mr. Caparn, was approved last year. The design of the details will be undertaken at once by Messrs. Heins & La Farge; in the meantime extensive excavations have been made for tree-planting to shade the Court. It will probably be

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necessary to plan the Bird House on a larger scale than as originally designed, because experience has shown that large as the buildings are, they are insufficient to accommodate the crowds which visit the Park on public holidays and Sundays.

For the coming year the Society has applied for the appropriation of an additional Ground Improvement Fund of $500,000. With this amount, Baird Court, its buildings and approaches on the north, and the Bird House can be completed. One of the chief purposes of this fund will be the completion of the roads and paths in the Park, so as to accommodate the enormous crowds, which will reach the Park over the line of the new Rapid Transit system. The portion of the Park lying east of the Bronx River must be fenced in to protect it from the depredations of timber thieves; and the unequaled opportunities for enjoyment of multitudes along Bronx Lake must be considered by the erection of a boat-house, and by the development of this portion of the Park, which has heretofore been neglected owing to the lack of funds. From this fund also the Antelope House may be constructed, unless the Society is enabled, through the generosity of some of its members, to erect this building from its own funds. The cost of the building will be about $60,000, and the need of such a structure to shelter during our cold winters the large tropical animals, is imperative. At present the Society is obliged to deprive the buffalo herd of the use of their winter house, in order to install therein a variety of tropical deer and antelope, for which no other heated space is obtainable.

The need for these improvements is immediate, owing to the fact that within two years the terminus of the Rapid Transit system at West Farms will be completed. This will bring to our very gates, for a single fare of five cents, the immense population of New York. The attendance during the last year was 527,145, and the largest attendance for any one day was on Sunday, August 24th, when 20,206 people visited the Park; but these numbers will be dwarfed by the crowds which may be expected in the future. The Committee confidently expects that the present administration will realize the importance of hastening the work in order to prepare for this great influx of visitors.

In this connection it may be said that the Elevated Railroad has been extended during the past year to Fordham, and now carries visitors to within half a mile of the Northwest Entrance.

OTHER BUILDINGS.

In addition to the House for Primates and the Lion House, the restaurant, known as Public Comfort Building No. 1, was completed early in the year, and opened to the public on May 30th. Although not remunerative, it is self-sustaining, and has proved of great service to the public and to the Society.

The Service Building and work-shops in connection therewith were also completed during the year, being located in the rear of the Reptile House, and nearly in the geographical center of the Park. They have proved of great use to the Society and its corps of officers. In it are located the office of the Director and the Chief Clerk, the store-rooms, the kitchen, the cold-storage warehouse, the office of the Chief Forester, Engineer and medical staff and the photographic department. Quarters for the carpenter, the blacksmith, the stable, and shops have been placed in the rear service-yard.

Many smaller installations have also been completed, all of which will be set forth in detail in the report of the Director. In passing, however, reference should be made to the development of a series of installations for wild sheep and goats, in accordance with plans prepared by the Director. Four, fine inclosures have been completed, and rock shelters provided. At present these inclosures contain a pair of aoudad, a pair of mouflon, a Himalayan tahr, and three Spanish ibex. The Director's report also details the various important items of ground improvements accomplished during the year, and the new forms of live animals added to the collections.

COLLECTION OF ANIMALS FOR THE LION HOUSE.

The most pressing need of the Society to-day is, and will be for some years to come, new animals to fill the various installations as they are completed or enlarged. Donations of money, in large or small amounts, are greatly needed for this purpose. It will be necessary for the Society to provide, during the coming spring and summer, funds for the purchase of a large collection of felines for the new Lion House. As far as possible it is the intention of the Committee to purchase young animals caught wild, rather than to purchase stock born in captivity, which are liable to be too closely inbred, and consequently less vigorous than wild stock. Heretofore the cost of the individual

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