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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY
OF THE SMITHSONIAN
INSTITUTION
FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30
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( Publication 2487 )
WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1917
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CONT ENS):
Researches and explorations—
“Geological explorations in the Canadian Rockies...................--
Ceolasredleldtstudies ss. Seta se TAMER CL kee Lee
Hunting graptolites in the Appalachian Valley....................--
Explorations in the Ohio Valley for fossil algae and coral reefs. ......
Examination of ancient human remains in Florida .................-
biolomical workin Cubaandtlartiscesc 0 0s. os acca oe a ee
Botanical workin the’ Hawatian Islands? (00.22. .0 02200
Camehona, botamieal Ss tatrome se SMe ON Sa Aa AS RU Say A?
ibieloateal yworlsiny Chinas. been Fg) Sey Nyt Wve ae
Explorations in Santo Domingo.......... Ee ee Py er Oe er mRe Po
Bap leu moron COMOCLEDeS a. Ske Sra Nec ol Ua Le
Wolline-Gammer Consoexpe@itiam soo. eo
Pre eeAMcMCONPOMIOn Masa iene eae eet eel. hat eee eee ce metas see
metionaletveseatch Counce y hes ONe Oe Sos NU Sw ie Rae
[PUOISLERN BIC ET Dek Gee Sty Ae ere oh Ase ec Man p ROE aga CRS Ree) Oa te aY CeO
TU UREP Ee Se NT, EU A areet aS oe nO 5 NESE PRR ne RI
Reception to French scientists. ..--.. Pe ae eC ss i As aw a al
ch EE Sel: Te CNS eGR la oe en bade ile at AS ee RUN Ra
Me AIMEE PRI TEC AN NEY EET OLODyeRen YS NA SRI NITE ie ok OL oO a
eae miei niAlby CMO MES ec tee Sec. Lo ele eet kG es ee) Sale
AOE AHO OLOM Camb arent A ae RTT EA RN ae Sah kt ME eA ye ON wa
Penitas mislead LOO SEL VA LOU ae trent ca M re Ane Lic aN Ae SHIN Vl al
International Catalogue of Scientific Literature............-2.----------200-
Appendix 1. Report on the United States National Museum. -..........-.....
2. Report on the Bureau of American Ethnology................-
. Report on the International Exchanges....................-.-.
. Report on the National Zoological Park...............-.-.-.--
. Report on the Astrophysical Observatory.....................-.
SLC HOLb OMMLMC IUD TABY 2 Mace teeta Ucn eye Nt WL aa
. Report on the International Catalogue of Scientific Literature....
Pe MONG Ol PU ICAtIONsila5 a3U ss.) eh els has el nisc quee sues wet
Plates 1, 2. Views in National Zoological Park..................-.....-- face
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REPORT
OF THE
SECRETARY OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
Cuartes D. Watcotr
FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1917.
To the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution:
GENTLEMEN: I have the honor to submit herewith the customary
annual report on the operations of the Smithsonian Institution and
its branches during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1917, including
work placed by Congress under the direction of the Board of Regents
in the United States National Museum, the Bureau of American
Ethnology, the International Exchanges, the National Zoological
Park, the Astrophysical Observatory, and the United States Bureau
of the International Catalogue of Scientific Literature.
The general report reviews the affairs of the Institution proper and
briefly summarizes the operations of its several branches, while the _
appendices contain detailed reports by the assistant secretary and
others directly in charge of various activities. The reports on opera-
tions of the National Museum and the Bureau of American Ethnology
will also be published as independent volumes.
‘THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.
THE HSTABLISHMENT.
The Smithsonian Institution was created an establishment by act
of Congress approved August 10, 1846. Its statutory members are
the President of the United States, the Vice President, the Chief
Justice, and the heads of the executive departments.
THE BOARD OF REGENTS.
The Board of Regents, which is charged with the administration of
the Institution, consists of the Vice President and the Chief Justice
of the United States as ex officio members, three Members of the
Senate, three Members of the House of Representatives, and six citi-
1
2 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1917.
zens, “ two of whom shall be residents in the city of Washington and
the other four shall be inhabitants of some State, but no two of them
trom the same State.”
In the personnel of the board the only change was the appoint-
ment on January 15, 1917, of Hon. Henry White, of Maryland, to
succeed Dr. Andrew D. White, of New York, who because of the in-
firmities of age felt compelled to resign after serving as Regent for
nearly 29 years. The roll of Regents on June 30, 1917, was as fol-
lows: Edward D. White, Chief Justice of the United States, Chan-
cellor; Thomas R. Marshall, Vice President of the United States;
Henry Cabot Lodge, Member of the Senate; William J. Stone,
Member of the Senate; Henry French Hollis, Member of the Sen-
ate; Scott Ferris, Member of the House of Representatives; Ernest
W. Roberts, former Member of the House of Representatives; James
T. Lloyd, former Member of the House of Representatives; Alex-
ander Graham Bell, citizen of Washington, D. C.; George Gray,
citizen of Delaware; Charles F. Choate, jr., citizen of Massachusetts ;
John B. Henderson, jr., citizen of Washington, D. C.; Charles W.
Fairbanks, citizen of Indiana, and Henry White, citizen of Mary-
land.
The board held its annual meeting on December 14, 1916. The
proceedings of that meeting, as also the annual financial report of
the executive committee, have been printed, as usual, for the use
of the Regents, while such important matters acted upon as are of
public interest are reviewed under appropriate heads in the present
report of the secretary. A detailed statement of disbursements from
Government appropriations, under the direction of the Institution
for the maintenance of the National Museum, the National Zoologi-
cal Park, and other branches, will be submitted to Congress by the
secretary in the usual manner, in compliance with the law.
FINANCES. :
By the deposit of $4,000 derived from revenues during the year,
the permanent fund of the institution deposited in the Treasury
of the United States now amounts to $1,000,000, the limit authorized
by Congress, and is divided as follows:
MIMTGh Som, YMG = eo ac ae ee ee $727, 640. 00
15 21) of) [pe 0 0 [eae nena a Pte a cally ine, Sas Set Ni ath donc Epes Mela ecm 500. 00
[SMO BH ITO) 0 Wien i 00,6 A eae Meena eeeerer Wee GOL, er yews Vees Seow Ee nee Beh A a 2,500. 00
HoGekias Tyne 2 82 se ee ae 216, 000. 00
UNCON Fn eS ee wha ak we et) a a Le oe 590. 00
PACTS TURING este es Mc We age Ly os 14, 000. 00
PNG OESOT EROUOD TeUnOl eee er eee ee oe Seas ee ee fe 11, 000. 00
Luey I. and" George W."Pooreftund2is Gio hio. 29 28 eee 26, 670. 00
Georreltke Sanford funds ses ye eet esl) 7 ale 1, 100. 00
Total fund in the Treasury of the United States________ — 1, 000, 000. 00
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 3
Other resources.
Registered and guaranteed 4 per cent bonds of the West Shore
Railroad Co., part of legacy of Thomas G. Hodgkins (par
SSPERITIEIEV] Joi LC ar ES a A a Ue te Uma gD Aenea OTE $42, 000. 00
‘Coupon 5 per cent bonds of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Co., due
perv ae OMS (COS) Cree MN eM os BM EN ek a a 5, 040. 63
Coupon 6 per cent bonds of the Argentine Nation, due Dec. 15,
TUS T, (CROPS Yeas na PO cee Ee 5, 093. 75
MO taAlgnnVESteE! LUM SY aoe CN A LON aM a NE 1, 052, 134. 38
With the exception of $4,000 deposited in the Treasury, above
noted, no other permanent investments were made during the year.
Tels deposits consisted of interest accumulations and rentals only.
The principal revenues of the Institution being collectable July 1
and January 1 each year, a surplus of cash is accumulated at these
times. Instead of allowing this surplus to be idle in the Treasury,
the plan has been adopted to invest such sums as may be spared in
time certificates of deposit issued by strong financial institutions of
this city. The rate of interest obtained on these certificates is three
per cent per annum and it is believed that approximately $1,000 can
be gained each year by this method.
The income of the Institution during the year, amounting to
$88,649.52, was derived as follows: Interest on the permanent foun-
dation, $61,490.59; contributions from various sources for specific
purposes, $16,630, and from other miscellaneous sources, $10,528.93.
Adding the cash balance of $44,711.02 on July 1, 1916, the total
resources for the fiscal year amounted to $133,360.54.
The disbursements, which are given in detail in the annual report
of the executive committee, amounted to $124,127.98, leaving a
balance of $9,232.56 in cash and on deposit in the Treasury of the
United States June 30, 1917.
In addition to the above specific amounts to be disbursed by the
Institution there was included under the general appropriation for
printing and binding an allotment of $76,200 to cover the cost of
printing and binding the Smithsonian annual report, and reports and
miscellaneous printing for the Government branches of the Insti-
tution.
The Institution was charged by Congress with the disbursement of
the following appropriations for the year ending June 30, 1917.
miteruationalrexchaneesa ork LOAN LOL OM oy oO ns sd) | $32, 000
International exchanges, deficiency act of Apr. 17, 1917_______________ 3, 500
st EO WES GHEE LEI COY OSEAN fe OS NIE 2D eS I (Pr ag PU ah a 42, 000
FASTRODIMYV SI Gal OWSER VALOR ys eee he Ne 13, 000
National Museum:
EMIT HU OR ao Ce EXCESS a susagh ns ada 25, 000
FS Sa ETRE AGO Nal NY Erb wep eine Ee I a A a SN cd RR A SE Ee Le D8 46, 000
4 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1917.
National Museum—Continued.
Preservation) o£ collectionss)2: 228222 So. ee 300, 000
Books 2. = Set0t Lea SEO TAO Ee See LES 2, 000:
Postage _UC)) 2h m0 ns JON BG EE Oe ee a ee 500
‘Building ‘repairs 2256 ee ee ee 10, 000:
National ZoolégiGal "(ParksleLe Situeh 1) Pete Stee NOOR TI Di tees 100, 000
International Catalogue of Scientific Literature______________________ 7, 500
A tea ah ly 0 Si YR ae a LA oe 581, 500:
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS.
Throughout its history the Smithsonian Institution has constantly
cooperated with the executive departments and other establishments
of the Government in all matters pertaining to scientific activities.
Particularly during the period of the present world war has the
Institution been of service in connection with many important meas-
ures. Every member of its scientific staff, every one of its 500
or more employees has aided the Nation to the utmost in every
possible manner. The laboratories and workshops of the Institution
and its branches have been utilized to their fullest extent and routine
affairs have taken second place whenever important national matters
have needed attention. Your Secretary, as president of the National
Academy of Sciences, as chairman of the military committee of the
National Research Council, and as chairman of the executive com-
mittee of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, has had
opportunity to keep in close touch with the needs of the Nation and to
give such advice as has been in his power, especially in connection
with the development of aeronautics. —
The Institution was particularly fortunate in having as former
Secretary Prof. S. P. Langley, who in 1896 gave to the world a prac-
tical demonstration of the feasibility of mechanical flight by a ma-
chine heavier than the air propelled by its own power. To him the
Nation to-day owes more than can be told, and as an indication of that
debt his memory is fittingly preserved in the name “ Langley Field,”
a tract of some 1,800 acres near Hampton, Va., where extensive ex-
periments of the highest importance to the art of aviation are now
being carried on. The Government has now been aroused to the su-
preme worth of airplanes, machines which Prof. Langley 20 years
ago foresaw would be of great service in times of war as well as
peace. His prophecy has been fulfilled far beyond his hopes or
dreams. The large machine with which his personal experiments:
ceased in 1903 proved its worth and its capability of actual flight
during the past year. Change after change in the design of air-
planes to adapt them for scouting, for fighting, and other military
purposes has followed in rapid succession until now aerial battles
are of daily occurrence and nations are looking ahead to their ex-
tended use under peace conditions.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 5
As stated in my last report, the organization of the National Ad-
visory Committee for Aeronautics has made unnecessary for the
present the permanent establishment by the Smithsonian Institution
of the Langley Aerodynamical Laboratory. Every facility continues,
however, to be afforded to Federal. bureaus to study aviation models
and records possessed by the Institution and, in particular, to con-
sult the large Smithsonian Library on Aeronautics, together with a
general card index of aeronautical literature.
There has recently been erected adjacent to the Smithsonian build-
ing a temporary structure for the use of the United States Signal
Service especially for housing aeroplanes of various designs and
aviation appliances.
The executive committee of the National Advisory Committee ae
held monthly meetings during the year, and many problems of deep
importance have been discussed.
Upon the recommendation of the committee there was organized
by the Council of National Defense the “Aircraft Production Board,”
“to consider the situation in relation to the quantity production of
aircraft in the United States and to cooperate with the officers of
the Army and Navy and of other departments interested in the
production and delivery to these departments of the needed aircraft
in accordance with the requirements of each department.”
The committee also recommended to the Government the adop-
tion of a continuing program for the training of aviators and the
preduction of airplanes and the establishment of schools and an
adequate organization and personnel of regular officers, both in
the Army and Navy for the efficient use of aircraft and direction
of the aviators provided for. As a result of the committee’s activi-
ties the advance in aerial preparedness has been accelerated.
The committee has established a research laboratory at Langley
Field, Virginia, for the carrying on of scientific investigations.
Among the several subcommittees engaged in the study of aeronautic
problems are those on aerial mail service, aero torpedoes, aircrait
communicating, airplane mapping, relation of the atmosphere to
aeronautics, standardization of specifications for aeronautic ma-
terials and aeronautic nomenclature, specifications for aeronautic in-
struments, radiator design,.motive power, and safe design, construc-
tion, and navigation of aircraft.
The second annual report of the National Advisory Commnnittee
for Aeronautics was published during the year in a volume of 630
octavo pages, including technical reports on “ General Specifications
Covering Requirements of Aeronautic Instruments,” “ Nomenclature
for Aeronautics,” ‘‘ Mufflers for Aeronautics.” “ Gasoline Carbureter
Design,” and “ Experimental Researches on the Resistance of Air.”
6 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1917.
RESEARCHES AND EXPLORATIONS. +e
The usual activities were continued during the past year in advane-
ing one of the fundamental objects of the Smithsonian Institution,
the increase of knowledge. In this work various explorations and
researches were inaugurated or participated in by the Institution and
its branches, covering practically all divisions of astronomical, an-
thropological, biological, and geological science. The extent of these
explorations and researches during the history of the Institution
covers a wide range, although a great deal more of most important
work could have been accomplished had adequate funds been avail-
able. Friends of the Institution have generously aided this work,
particularly during the last few years, through the contribution of
funds for specific purposes, but much yet remains undone, and op-
portunities for undertaking important lines of investigation are
constantly being lost through lack of means to carry them into
execution.
Several proposed expeditions to various parts of the world have
been temporarily delayed by the war in Europe.
I will here mention only briefly some of the recent activities of the
Institution in these directions, and for details of other researches and
explorations may refer to the appendices containing the reports of
those directly in charge of the several branches of the Institution
and also to the accounts given in the customary pamphlet review of
this work published each year in the Smithsonian Miscellaneous
Collections.
GEOLOGICAL EXPLORATIONS IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES.
In continuation of geological work carried on by me for several
years past in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, I was engaged during
the summer and early fall of 1916 in field investigations on the Con-
tinental Divide forming the boundary between Alberta and British
Columbia, south of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The very heavy
snowfall of the previous winter together with frequent snow and
rain squalls during the summer, had made the conditions unusually
favorable for taking photographs, the air being exceptionally pure
and clear during the field season, conditions, however, very unfavor-
able for geological investigations. A large number of photographs
were secured, including a number of panoramic views made on con- »
tinuous films eight feet in length.
The sections examined and measured extend from the Mount
Assiniboine region southwest of Banff, Alberta, northwest to the
Kicking Horse Pass, where the Canadian Pacific Railway has bored
a double loop through the mountains on the north and south sides of
the pass.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. .- 7
The season’s work was undertaken with two principal objects in
view: First, to determine, if possible, the base line of demarcation
between the Lower and Middle Cambrian; and second, to locate the
exact horizon of a Cambrian subfauna (AJlbdertella) that had in its
entirety been found only in drift boulders in the Kicking Horse Val-
ley east of Wapta Lake.
One of the important incidental results auiained was the discovery
at Wonder Pass of a great overthrust fault by which the basal
Cambrian rocks forming the mountains on the west side of the pass
have been thrust eastward over upon the limestones of the Devonian,
shown in the slope on the east side of the pass. The thrust along
this fault has carried the rocks forming the main range of the
Rockies in this area several miles to the eastward. The fault crosses
through Wonder Pass and then curves to the northwest, southeast
of Magog Lake, to the great cliff forming the northern extension of
the Assiniboine massif. During the million or more years that the
agencies of erosion had been wearing away the great mass of rocks
above the fault, mountain peaks, canyons, and ridges have been
earved and polished by frost, snow, and the grinding force of huge
glaciers. The glaciers have now retreated to a point near their
origin, high up on the mountains, but they have left behind them
basins that are filled with beautiful lakes, such as Magog, Sunburst,
and Ross.
The line of demarcation between the Lower and Middle Cambrian
was found to be high up in the section on the face of the cliffs at
Wonder Pass, and throughout the Assiniboine massif.
While camped on Magog Lake, below Mount Assiniboine, some
marvelous reflections of the peak in the waters of the lake were seen
in the quiet of the early morning. The changes in the “cloud ban-
ners,” at the peak occur very rapidly. ‘These views led us to regard
the grand pyramid of Mount Assiniboine as the Matterhorn of
America.
Northwest of Banff the broad valley of the Bow has been eroded
diagonally back through the massive scarf of the overthrust massif
and thus exposed to erosion the heart of the great arch that had its
crest over the region now occupied by Mount Victoria and other
peaks of the Bow Range.
Some photographic views were secured looking south across the
Bow Valley into the heart of the Rockies. A view of Pinnacle Peak
tells the story of the tremendous power of erosive agencies, where the
solossal quartzites and limestones are shattered and eroded into the
most fantastic forms.
West of Pinnacle Peak, at the head of Paradise Valley, Mount
Hungabee rises in a terraced wall 4,000 feet above the glacier at its
foot. while another glimpse of these great cliffs is seen under Mount
8 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1917.
\
Lefroy, where the melting snows cascade down as a beautiful brook
ever the quartzite ledges.
At last, in the cliffs above Ross Lake the Albertella fauna was
located in situ, and from the slopes above the lake a panoramic view
was taken of Mount Bosworth, above Kicking Horse Pass on the
Continental Divide. Although only 9,083 feet in height, Mount Bos-
worth exposes in its slopes over 12,000 feet in thickness of bedded
rocks that constitute one of the best sections of the Cambrian rocks
found in the Canadian Rockies. |
Considerable collections of Cambrian fossils were obtained by
myself and Mrs. Walcott, who accompanied and worked with me
throughout the entire trip, before the storms of late September drove
us back to Banff and ended the research for the season.
Many of the photographs taken in this wonderful region are repro-
duced in one of the publications of the Institution.
GEOLOGICAL FIELD STUDIES.
Dr. ‘George P. Merrill, head curator of geology in the National
Museum, devoted several days of the summer vacation period in 1916
to visiting the gem and feldspar quarries of Auburn, Topsham, and
neighboring areas in Maine. While nothing new was secured, he
was able to add interesting material to the Museum exhibit ilustrat-
ing the character and association of the pegmatite dikes, which is
now being installed in the Museum.
HUNTING GRAPTOLITES IN THE APPALACHIAN VALLEY.
The great value of the extinct organisms known as graptolites in
determining the age of geological formations which contain few and
often no other kinds of fossils, has been proved time and again.
During the summer of 1916 Dr. R. S. Bassler and Mr. C. E. Resser,
both of the division of paleontology, United States National Mu-
seum, had occasion to test this particular group of fossils in the course.
of a study of the Cambrian and Ordovician shale formations of
western, Maryland. They report that—
Recent excavations along the Western Maryland Railroad, in the great shale
belt just west of Williamsport and extending north and south for hundreds of
miles, exposed these rocks to such advantage that it was thought possible
enough fossils could be found in them to determine their exact geologic age and
structure. However, no fossils of any kind were found after much search. It
was then decided that the rocks were either barren of organic life or the cleav-
age produced in the strata by the great.forces resulting in their present folded
condition destroyed all traces of fossils.
Finally a fold of black shale was observed and at the point where the
cleavage and the bedding planes coincided. abundant graptolite remains were
1 Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, vol. 66, No. 17, 1917.
JIE OT" REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 9
discovered. The species which were collected proved to be »f such ‘vpical
Trenton forms that there could be no doubt of the Middle Ordovician age of
this particular shale. Limestones known to be much older outcrop so short
a distance to the east of this that a great fault or displacement between the
two kinds of rocks is clearly indicated.
/ With these facts in hand, the fault was traced for a distence of 80 miles
north and south, thus again showing that the graptolites preved the key to the
geologic structure of the region.
\
EXPLORATIONS IN THE OHIO VALLEY FOR FOSSIL ALGAE AND CORAL REEFS.
Through the extensive studies of the Secretary for several years
past, the collections of the National Museum are rich in limestone-
forming pre-Cambrian algae—a low order of water plants that
secrete lime or silica. An instructive series of these fossils has been
placed on exhibition, but in order to show the geologic oceurrence
and evolution of this group of plants it was necessary to supplement
the pre-Cambrian forms with specimens of more recent age. Ac-
cordingly Dr. R. S$. Bassler, curator of paleontology, spent some
weeks in the Ohio Valley, particularly in the blue grass region. of
Kentucky, in a search for large exhibition specimens, and in a study
of their mode of occurrence. He was successful in procuring a num-
ber of showy exhibition specimens as well as numerous study collec-
tions.
More difficult, however, was the discovery and quarrying of a
fossil coral reef suitable for exhibition in the Museum. Coral reefs
ere known at several horizons in the Paleozoic rocks of the Ohio
Valley but they are seldom so exposed that an instructive section
can be quarried out Without injury to the specimens. A great reef of
corals outcrops in the strata along the banks of Chenoweth Creek at
Jeffersontown, near Louisville, Ky., and this was selected to furnish
an exhibit for the Museum. A section of the stratified rocks 6 feet
by 10 feet was bodily quarried out of the bank, and these strata with
their contained corals were later set up in the exhibition hall of
paleontology.
The lowest layer of limestone is composed largely of fossil brachi-
opod shells. Next above is a layer with scattered corals belonging to
a long-tubed species (Colwmmnaria calcina Nicholson), probably torn
by waves from a near-by coral reef. Overlying this is a limestone
stratum largely made of the twiglike stems of stony Bryozoa (Tre-
postomata).
The main reef of corals is chiefly composed of the rounded heads
of three species of honeycomb corals, some with radial partitions in
the tubes (Columnaria alveolata Goldfuss), others without such par-
titions (Columnaria vacua Foerste), and still others with spongy
walls (Calapoecia cribriformis Nicholson). Large stems of fluted or
10 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1917.
nodular Hydrozoa (Beatricea) are scattered among the honeycomb
coral masses.
Horn corals (Streptelasma rusticum Billings) are to be seen in
both the lower and upper coral beds. The spaces between the lime-
stone layers and also between the heads of coral were filled with
clay which contained many other examples of fossil life.
Another coral reef in central Kentucky composed of a single
species (Stromatocerium pustulosum Safford) was investigated and
several massive and complete specimens excavated for exhibition.
The smallest of these was several feet in diameter. These conical
coral masses are restricted to a single layer of limestone, on which
account they serve to identify the bed from place to place. This
coral reef occurs in the Trenton limestone and fine outcrops occur
around Lexington, Ky., and it has been noted at many localities in
central Kentucky and central Tennessee.
EXAMINATION OF ANCIENT HUMAN REMAINS IN FLORIDA.
A good deal of public and scientific interest was aroused by the
finding of human remains in Florida under conditions which seemed
possibly to indicate extreme age. It was therefore desirable that a
critical examination be made of the bones and their environment.
Accordingly, on the invitation of Dr. E. H. Sellards, State geologist
of Florida, and as his guest, Dr. Hrdlicka, of the United States
National Museum, spent four days in the latter part of October,
1916, at Vero, Fla., where his time was devoted to the study of the
site from which certain human bones described by Dr. Sellards were
obtained, and to a preliminary examination of the bones themselves.
Dr. Hrdlicka reports as follows:
Laborers were engaged, and with their help there was made a clean exposure
about 160 feet in length of the geological deposits in close proximity to the
localities where the human bones had been discovered. This afforded a com-
prehensive and enlightening view of the formations involved.
The two human skeletons had been found in the south bank of a recently
excavated drainage canal. ‘They occurred one in fairly close proximity to,
and the other within the broad, shallow bed of, a sinall fresh-water stream,
now drained by a lateral cut from the canal. The former lay in dark and
somewhat indurated sands, the latter for the most part at the base of the muck
deposit of the stream bed, and between this and the next oider stratum. A
few smaller bones, which probably belonged to the second skeleton, were found
at about the same level a short distance from the rest of the remains in an
elevation of the lower sandy layer.
The first skeleton lay at a depth of 24 feet, the second at a depth of 2 to 34
feet from the surface. The deposits above the first skeleton consisted partly
of somewhat indurated and partly of ordinary sands, overlaid by a layer of
marl. The marl when freshly exposed was found to be of the consistency of
fresh mortar, but on longer exposure hardened to fairly solid rock. Above
skeleton No, II there was only muck and irregular sandy patches.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. Lt
Skeleton No. I is that of a woman, probably adult; skeleton No. II that of an
adult man of somewhat advanced years. The bones of the former lay close to-
gether, those of the latter were dissociated though lying within a moderate-sized
ellipse. Broken pottery, bone and stone implements, and stone chips, were
found in the same strata, more particularly in the muck layers, with the human
bones.
Besides the two skeletons, single bones of three additional human bodies—one a
child, one a young person, and one adult—were discovered in the vicinity.
The human bones were considerably mineralized, and in the same strata in
which they occurred are found many bones of long-extinct animals, such as
mastodons, tapirs, etc.
Due to the presence of the fossil animal bones in the same strata with the
human remains, and to the mineralization of the latter, the opinion was ad-
vanced that the human remains were of the same age as the animal bones,
which would relegate them to the early part of the Quaternary.
This is not sustained by an anthropological study of the case and of the
remains. The human bones show no signs of weathering, gnawing, or trampling,
and the two skeletons were represented by so many parts that the only satis-
factory explanation of the conditions can be found in the assumption that the
remains are those of intentional burials.
The pottery and the bone and stone implements are all identical with similar
artifacts of the Florida or southeastern Indians, while the human bones them-
Selves show, without exception, modern features, with numerous characteristics
which permit their identification also as Indian.
The conclusions arrived at are that the Vero finds represent another of those
cases, which are bound to occur from time to time, where the circumstances
seem to point to antiquity of the human bones, but where a thorough, all-sided
inquiry shows that the mass of the evidence is decisively against such an as-
sumption.
Following the visit to Vero, Dr. Hrdli¢ka made a trip to Fort
Myers, Fla., and to several of the outlying keys, where human re-
mains were reported. The particular object of this trip was to visit
a small island off Fort Myers known as the Demorest or Demere Key,
on which, according to information obtained from Mr. Sam L. King,
of Bristol, Tenn., human bones could be found “ imbedded in con-
eretionary materials.” Concerning these remains Dr. Hrdlicka says:
Demere Key, the surface of which measures about 15 acres, was originally
a low and swampy island, like all of the small keys in the vicinity, but a larger
part of its surface was in the course of time artificially elevated by the Indians,
by means of shells, sand, and soil, for the purpose of habitation and cultivation.
Along the middlé of this large artificial elevation runs a remarkable platform
- about 80 feet long, the eastern boundary of which is supported by a still fairly
well preserved, well-made wall of conch shells. This structure has been briefly
reported by Cushing and by Mr. Clarence B. Moore, but its origin is in doubt.
At a short distance northeast of this elevation there is a low, irregular heap
which contains numerous Indian burials. On examining the surface of this
heap, it was found to consist of shells, detritus, sand, and vegetable matter, and
to be everywhere more or less consolidated to the depth of from 6 to 18 inches.
The consolidation was such that in many places it was very hard to penetrate
the crust with an ordinary mattock. Within this crust, on breaking parts of it
off and turning them over, were found numerous human bones, including some
12 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1917.
more or less defective skulls. Beneath the crust was white sand, which also
contained many bones, with a few Indian ornaments and fragments of pottery.
The consolidated crust differed in composition. For the larger part it was
coquina, of just about such a composition as beach accumulations along the
sea; but in other places the solidified part consisted almost entirely of white
sand, while in still others it was a dark concretionary mass enclosing shells,
sand, and vegetable matter, besides the bones. The human bones, though evi-
dently more or less changed, were not yet petrified; and the mound as a whole
appears to have no claim to antiquity greater than perhaps a few hundred
years; but its surface offers a fine example of what favorable conditions can
accomplish in no great space of time in the way of consolidation and inclusion
into rock of human remains.
BIOLOGICAL WORK IN CUBA AND HAITI.
Mr. John B. Henderson, a Regent of the Institution, and Dr. Paul
Bartsch, curator of marine invertebrates, spent the last half of March
in the region about the Guantanamo Naval Station in eastern Cuba,
collecting a large quantity of very interesting land shells, birds,
plants, fossils, and marine invertebrates. The month of April was
spent in Haiti, where they thoroughly explored the Cul-de-Sac region,
the north coast of the western peninsula, and the coastal range from
the Cul-de-Sac north as far as San Marcos. They secured many in-
teresting specimens of land and fresh water mollusks, several new
birds, some very interesting cacti and other plants, and a general in-
vertebrate collection from this much neglected island. <.- 8 | July 19, Aug. 3, 23, Sept. 11, Oct. 9, Nov. 1, 24,Dec. 20, 1916; Feb.
|: 7, Apr. 14, 1917.
BritishiGuiana- 134-2274 522) 2 | Sept. 21, 1916; Feb. 16, 1917.
Canada. op 25800 0 oo 88... : | 16 | Sept. 25, Dec. 18, 1916; Feb. 17, May 17, 1917.
Chip ea ntact aoe ease ier 2S 19 | July 26, Sept. 16, Nov. 16, 1516; Jan. 16, Mar. 29, June 11, 1917.
Ohingzeee els hereon. 26 | Sept. 5, Oct. 25, Nov. 28, 1916; Feb. 8, Mar. 8, May 23, 1917.
Colombiaws : yzipepe st bt bieises 33 | July 16, Oct. 7, Nov. 12, Dec. 13, 1916; May 19, 1917.
COSEANEACH: Soest crepes tana ss 12 | Aug. 12, Oct. 25, 1916; Jan. 17, Mar. 30, Apr. 6, June 13, 1917.
COLI 6} asp cn a oe 4 | Sept. 25, Dec. 18, 1916; Feb. 17, May 17, 1917.
Denmark. <>. .3 22411 37. O2S0r 20 | Aug. 9, Sept. 29, 1916; Jan. 6, Mar. 12, May 21, 1917.
Benagore. € asses see. ee 4 | Aug. 3, 1916; Apr. 10, 1917.
MOM Dctecieae caress ene see 8 | Aug. 11, 1916; May 16, 1917.
eC Fa ae a PARE 123 | July 10, Aug. 18, Oct. 12, Nov. 14, 1916; Jan. 10, Mar. 21, May 9,
1917.
Germany ss 25-5265. - 250. ¢- =< 48 | Dec. 16, 1916. =
Great Britain and Ireland..... 250 | July 20, Aug. 3, 23; Sept. 11, Oct. 9, Nov. 1, 24, Dec. 20, 1916;
Feb. 7, Apr. 11, 18, June 6, 1917.
GTOGEG See nasties ce core che ace 7 | Aug. 14, Nov. 9, 1916.
Guatemala. ices. - 24¢2-ie--teye 2 | Aug. 30, 1916; Apr. 6, 1917.
Haiit, Seabees poe eees os <2 | 4 | Sept. 25, Dec. 18, 1916; Feb. 17, May 17, 1917.
Mon Gras cece 5 sais cc be wares | 2| Aug. 30, 1916; Apr. 4, 1917.
1010 2 ae ee oor | 30 | July 19, Aug. 3, 23, Sept. 11, Oct. 9, Nov. 1, 24, Dec. 20, 1916;
| Feb. 7, Apr. 14, 1917.
TtAlyuer cegereeeac ttc onc n 90 | July 6, Aug. 4, Sept. 22, Nov. 10, Dec. 23, 1916; Jan. 20, Apr. 20
June 4, 1917.
JaMsICAt st . J4s les 5 | Aug. 29, 1916; Feb. 9, May 24, 1917.
VEDA op coe heh. tome oh saa 50 | July 7, Aug. 16, Nov. 28, 1916; Jan. 19, Mar. 2, May 13, 1917.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 65
Consignments of exchanges for foreign countries—Continued.
Country. une Date of transmission.
oneness 2s ee bess 1 | Aug. 30, 1916.
WiPenare oo. .sswets yssoetheds 2 | Aug. 29, 1916; May 28, 1917.
Loureng¢o Marquez......--.--- 1 | May 29, 1917.
IMGXICOME Se Ac gae sme sdl ete. = 4 | Sept. 25, Dec. 18, 1916; Feb. 17, May 17, 1917.
WWerenlandSe. sls scajcn-cn. 25! 30 | July 7, Aug. 5, Sept. 25, Nov. 8, 1916; Jan. 5, 1917.
New South Wales........----- 43 | July 20, Aug. 26, Sept. 25, Oct. 16, Dec. 5, 1916; Jan. 13, Feb. 15,
Apr. 16, June 19, 1917.
Newiicaland so oii ose. 622.5 17 | July 20, Aug. 26, Oct. 20, Dec. 12,1916; Feb. 13, Apr. 17, June 21,
1917.
Nicaragial. .../s2 2h o. fee. 2 | Aug. 30, 1916; Apr. 10. 1917.
INOW WA Yonica itinicis'nicinweeeelon= 13 | Aug. 9, Sept. 26, Nov. 11, 1916; Jan. 6, Mar. 14, 1917.
ATAU Sees sare Sa sine ccne ae 1 | Aug. 30, 1916.
ROR sped ab geoeee eC e eee ease 12 | July 26, Sept. 16, Nov. 16, 1916; Mar. 29, June 12, 1917.
ONG Pall S.h/2 -ecesetioe ~ <3h 5: 15 | Aug. 10, Sept. 28, Nov. 20, 1916; Mar. 15, May 22, 1917.
@rieensland)-'. Jy.82ss22 2-2. 11 | July 20, Aug. 26, Oct. 20, Dec. 12, 1916; Feb. 15, Apr. 17, June
; 21, 1917.
inieaior. ee ‘4 | Aug, 3, 1916; Apr. 7, 1917.
Sema. sy angetiateenaaal 3 | Aug. 30, 1916; Feb. 16, 1917.
South Australia........-...-.- 18 | July 20, Aug. 26, Oct. 18, Dec. 18, 1916; Feb. 12, Apr. 17, June
20, 1917.
DS Galtterese ta sel cic sees. 22 22 | Aug. 11, Sept. 30, Nov. 17, 1916; Jan. 11, May 14, 1917.
Sqnadlbil. ud 43 | Aug. 9, Sept. 27, Nov. 11, 1916; Jan. 18, May 1, 1917.
Switzerland.....-.--...-.--.-. 52 | Sept. 25, Aug. 9, Nov. 11, 1916; Jan. 10, May 9, 1917.
RAST OMIA ec eles Sse Lee. 10 | July 19, Aug. 3, 28, Sept. 11, Oct. 9, Nov. 1, 24, Dec. 20, 1916;
; Jan. 10, Mar. 21, May 9, 1917.
Mrmidad: =. <+---- Be phd ho ipo 2| Aug. 29, 1916; May 25, 1917.
Union of South Africa.......-. 17 | July 6, Sept. 20, Nov. 13, 1916; Jan. 19, 1917.
ORTON Ace o ereicie «wim a) = mae mele io 15 | July 27, Sept. 16, Nov. 17, 1916; Jan. 17, Mar. 29, June 13, 1917.
VIENOZUNClas tes - 5-22 2- =< 2-2 -- 10 | Aug. 12, Oct. 26, 1916; Jan. 17, Mar. 29, June 18, 1917.
ACCOM ES a Netete clic) - == = =< o-- 22 | July 20, Aug. 26, Oct. 17, Dec. 9, 1916.
Western Australia...........-- 12 | July 19, Aug. 3, 28, Sept. 11, Oct. 9, Nov. 1, 24, Dec. 20, Feb. 7,
Apr. 14, 1917.
Windward and Leeward Is- 1 | May 28, 1917.
lands.
FOREIGN DEPOSITORIES OF UNITED STATES GOVERNMENTAL DOCU-
MENTS.
Ninety-one sets of United States governmental documents were
received for distribution to foreign depositories in accordance with
treaty stipulations and under the authority of the congressional
resolutions of March 2, 1867, and March 2, 1901. A communica-
tion was received during the year from the assistant secretary to the
Government of India, department of education, stating that the
United States governmental documents sent to his department are
turned over to the Imperial Library at Calcutta, and requesting that
future consignments be addressed directly to that library.
A list of the foreign depositories is given below. Consignments
for those countries to which shipments are suspended on account of
66 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1917.
the war are being held at the Institution for transmission to the
various depositories at the close of hostilities.
. DEPOSITORIES OF FULL SETS.
ARGENTINA: Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Buenos Aires.
AUSTRALIA: Library of the Commonwealth Parliament, Melbourne.
AustTriIA: K. K. Statistische Zentral-Koimmission, Vienna.
BavEN: Universitits-Bibliothek, Freiburg. (Depository of the Grand Duchy
of Baden. )
Bavarta: K6nigliche Hof- und Staats- Bibliothek, Munich.
BeErciuM: Bibliothéque Royale, Brussels.
Brazit: Bibliotheca Nacional, Rio de Janeiro.
“BUENOS AIRES: Biblioteca de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata. (Deposi-
tory of the Province of Buenos Aires.)
CanapbA: Library of Parliament, Ottawa.
CHILE: Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional, Santiago.
CHiIna: American-Chinese Publication Exchange Department, Shanghai Bureau
of Foreign Affairs, Shanghai.
CotomptA: Biblioteca Nacional, Bogota.
Costa Rica: ‘Oficina de Depdsito y Canje Internacional de Publicaeiones, San
José.
Cuna: Secretaria de Estado (Asuntos Generales y Canje Internacional),
Habana.
DENMARK: Kongelige Bibliotheket, Copenhagen.
ENGLAND: British Museum, Londen.
FRANCE: Bibliothéque Nationale, Paris.
GERMANY: Deutsche Reichstags-Bibliothek, Berlin.
Guascow: City Librarian, Mitchell Library, Glasgow.
GREECE: Bibliothéque Nationale, Athens.
Hartt: Secrétaire d’Etat des Relations Extérieures, Port au Prince.
Huncary: Hungarian House of Delegates, Budapest.
Inpra: Imperial Library, Calcutta.
IRELAND: National Library of Ireland, Dublin.
Iraty: Biblioteca Nazionale Vittorio Emanuele, Rome.
JAPAN: Imperial Library of Japan, Tokyo.
Lonpon: London School of Economics and Political Science. (Depository of
the London County Council. )
Manrrona: Provincial Library, Winnipeg.
Mexico: Instituto Bibliografico, Biblioteca Nacional, Mexico.
NETHERLANDS: Library of the States General, The Hague.
New SoutH WatLeEs: Public Library of New South Wales, Sydney.
New ZEALAND: General Assembly Library, Wellington.
Norway: Storthingets Bibliothek, Christiania.
Ontario: Legislative Library, Toronto.
Paris: Préfecture de la Seine.
Peru: Biblioteca Nacional, Lima.
PorruGaL: Bibliotheca Nacional, Lisbon.
Prussta: KGnigliche Bibliothek, Berlin.
QuerBec: Library of the Legislature of the Province of Quebec, Quebec.
QUEENSLAND: Parliamentary Library, Brisbane.
Russia: Imperial Public Library, Petrograd.
Saxony: K6nigliche Oeffentliche Bibliothek, Dresden.
Sersra: Section Administrative du Ministére des Affaires Etrangéres, Belgrade.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 67
SoutH AUSTRALIA: Parliamentary Library, Adelaide.
Sparn: Servicio del Cambio Internacional de Publicaciones, Cuerpo Facultativo
de Archiveros, Bibliotecarios y Arquedlogos, Madrid.
SweEDEN: Kungliga Biblioteket, Stockholm.
SWITZERLAND: Bibliothéque Fédérale, Berne.
TASMANIA: Parliamentary Library, Hobart.
TurKEy: Department of Public Instruction, Constantinople.
Union oF Soutn AFrica: State Library, Pretoria, Transvaal.
Urucuay: Oficina de Canje Internacional de Publicaciones, Montevidio.
VENEZUELA: Biblioteca Nacional, Caracas.
Vicrorta: Public Library, Melbourne.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Public Library of Western Australia, Perth.
WtrTtreMBEeRG: Ko6nigliche Landesbibliothek, Stuttgart.
DEPOSITORIES OF PARTIAL SETS.
ALBERTA: Provincial Library, Edmonton.
AT.SACE-LORRAINE: K. Ministerium ftir Hlsass-Lothringen, Strassburg.
Botivisa: Ministerio de Colonizacién y Agricultura, La Paz.
BREMEN: Senatskommission fiir Reichs- und Auswirtige Angelegenheiten.
British Cotumeri: Legislative Library, Victoria. a
BRITISH GuIANA: Government Secretary’s Oftice, Georgetown, Demerara.
Buresrta: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sofia.
Cryton : Colonial Secretary’s Office (Record Department of the Library), Co-
lombo.
Weuapor: Biblioteca Nacional, Quito.
Heyer: Bibliotheque Khédiviale, Cairo.
WIintanpd: Chancery of Governor, Helsingfors.
GUATEMALA: Secretary of the Government, Guatemala.
Hamepure: Senatskommission fiir die Reichs- und Auswirtigen Angelegenheiten.
Hesse: Grossherzogliche Hof-Bibliothek, Darmstadt.
Honpuras: Secretary of the Government, Tegucigalpa.
JAmMAIcA: Colonial Secretary, Kingston.
Liseria: Department of State, Monrovia.
Lourenco Marquez: Government Library, Lourenco Marquez.
Ltseck: President of the Senate.
Mapras, Province or: Chief Secretary to the Government of Madras, Public
Department, Madras.
Matra: Lieutenant Governor, Valetta.
MonTeneEGRO: Ministére des Affaires Etrangéres, Cetinje.
New Brunswick: Legislative Library, Fredericton.
NEWFOUNDLAND : Colonial Secretary, St. John’s.
Nicaragua: Superintendente de Archivos Nacionales, Managua.
NortTHWEST TERRITORIES: Government Library, Regina.
Nova Scorra: Provincial Secretary of Nova Scotia, Halifax.
Panama: Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores, Panama.
ARAGUAY: Oficina General de Inmigracion, Asuncion.
Princk Hpwarp IstaAnp: Legislative Library, Charlottetown.
RovumManisA: Academia Romana, Bucharest.
Satvapor: Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, San Salvador.
S14m: Department of Foreign Affairs, Bangkok.
Srrairs SETTLEMENTS: Colonial Secretary, Singapore.
Unitep Provinces oF AGRA AND OupH: Under Secretary to Government, Alla-
habad. '
ViennA: Biirgermeister der Haupt- und Residenz-Stadt.
68 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1917.
INTERPARLIAMENTARY EXCHANGE OF OFFICIAL JOURNALS,
Following is a complete list of the governments to which copies
of the daily issue of the Congressional Record are now sent. The
records for those countries to which it is not possible to forward
consignments at present are being held at the Institution:
Argentine Republic. France. Prussia.
Australia. sreat Britain. Queensland. |
Austria. Greece. Roumania.
Baden. Guatemala. Russia.
Belgium. Honduras. Serbia.
Bolivia. Hungary. Spain.
Brazil. Italy. Switzerland.
Buenos Aires, Province of. Liberia. Transvaal.
Canada. New South Wales. Union of South Africa.
Costa Rica. New Zealand. Uruguay.
Cuba. Peru. Venezuela.
Denmark. Portugal. Western Australia.
LIST OF BUREAUS OR AGENCIES THROUGH WHICH EXCHANGHS
ARE TRANSMITTED.
The following is a list of the bureaus or agencies through which exchanges
are transmitted :
ALGERIA, via France.
ANGOLA, via Portugal.
ARGENTINA: Comisi6n Protectora de Bibliotecas Populares, Santa Fé 880, Buenos
Aires.
AustTrIA: K. K. Statistische Zentral-Kommission, Vienna.*
AZORES, vid Portugal.
BEtGIumM: Service Belge des Echanges Internationaux, Rue des Longs-Chariots
46, Brussels.*
Borivia: Oficina Nacional de Hstadistica, La Paz.
Braziz: Servico de Permutacdes Internacionaes, Bibliotheca Nacional, Rio de
Janeiro.
BriTIsH CoLonies: Crown Agents for the Colonies, London.
BRITISH GUIANA: Royal Agricultural and Commercial Society, Georgetown.
BritisH HonpurAs: Colonial Secretary, Belize.
BuLeGArRIA: Institutions Scientifiques de S. M. le Roi de sie 8 Sofia.?
CANARY ISLANDS, via Spain.
CHILE: Servicio de Canjes Internacionales, Biblioteca Nacional, Santiago.
CuHiInA: American-Chinese Publication Exchange Department, Shanghai Bureau
of Foreign Affairs, Shanghai.
CotomsBi1Aa: Oficina de Canjes Internacionales y Reparto, Biblioteca Nacional,
Bogota.
Costa Rica: Oficina de Depdsito y Canje Internacional de Publicaciones, San
José.
DENMARK: Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskab, Copenhagen.
DutcH GUIANA: Surinaamsche Koloniale Bibliotheek, Paramaribo.
Ecuapor: Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Quito.
Eeypr: Government Publications Office, Printing Department, Cairo.*
1 Shipments suspended on account of the war.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 69
FRANCE: Service Francais des Wchanges Internationaux, 110 Rue de Grenelle,
Paris.
GrrMAany: Amerika-Institut, Berlin, N. W. 7.*
GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND: Messrs. William Wesley & Son, 28 Hssex Street,
Strand, London.
GREECE: Bibliothéque Nationale, Athens.’
GREENLAND, via Denmark.
' GUADELOUPE, via France.
GUATEMALA: Instituto Nacional de Varones, Guatemala.
GUINEA, via Portugal.
Hart1: Secrétaire d’Etat des Relations Extérieures, Port au Prince.
HonpurAs: Biblioteca Nacional, Tegucigalpa.
Huneary: Dr. Julius Pikler, Municipal Office of Statistics, Vaci- utea 80, Buda-
pest.*
ICELAND, via Denmark.
InpIA: India Store Department, India Office, London.
ITAty: Ufficio degli Scambi Internazionali, Biblioteca Nazionale Vittorio Eman-
uele, Rome.
JAMAICA: Institute of Jamaica, Kingston.
JAPAN: Imperial Library of Japan, Tokyo.
JAVA, via Netherlands.
Korea: Government General, Keijo.
LIBERIA: Bureau of Exchanges, Department of State, Monrovia.
LovurENco Marquez: Government Library, Lourengo Marquez.
LUXEMBURG, via Germany.
MADAGASCAR, Via France.
MApDEIRA, via Portugal.
MoNTENEGRO: Ministére des Affaires Btrangéres, Cetinje.*
MozAMBIQUE, via Portugal.
NETHERLANDS: Bureau Scientifique Central Néerlandais, Bibliothéque de 1’Uni-
versité, Leyden.
New Guinea, via Netherlands.
New Sours WAtLEs: Public Library of New South Wales, Sydney.
New ZEALAND: Dominion Museum, Wellington.
Nicaragua: Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Managua.
Norway: Kongelige Norske Frederiks Universitet Bibliotheket, Christiania.
Panama: Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores, Panama.
Paraguay: Servicio de Canje Internacional de Publicaciones, Seecién Consular
y de Comercio, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Asuncion.
Persia: Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church, New York City.
Perv: Oficino de Reparto, Depdsito y Canje Internacional de Publicaciones,
Ministerio de Fomento, Lima.
PorruGaL: Servico de Permutacées Internacionaes, Inspecgao Geral das Biblio-
theeas e Archivos Publicos, Lisbon.
QUEENSLAND: Bureau of Exchanges of International Publications, Chief Sec-
retary’s Office, Brisbane.
RouMANIA: Academia Romana, Bucharest.’
Russia: Commission Russe des Echanges Internationaux, Bibliothéque Impe-
riale Publique, Petrograd.
Satvapor: Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, San Salvador.
Srrpra: Section Administrative du Ministere des Affaires Etrangéres, Belgrade.*
1 Shipments suspended on account of the war.
70 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1917.
Sram: Department of Foreign Affairs, Bangkok.
SourH AusTRALIA: Public Library of South Australia, Adelaide.
Spatn: Servicio del Cambio Internacional de Publicaciones, Cuerpo Facultativo
de Archiveros, Bibliotecarios y Arqueédlogos, Madrid.
SuMATRA, via Netherlands.
SwEDEN: Kongliga Svenska Vetenskaps Akademien, Stockholm.
SwitzeERLAND: Service des Echanges Internationaux, Bibliothéque Fédérale
Centrale, Berne.
Syria: Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church, New York,
TASMANIA: Secretary to the Premier, Hobart.
TRINIDAD: Royal Victoria Institute of Trinidad and Tobago, Port-of-Spain.
TunNIs, via France.
TurRKEY: American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, Boston
UnIon oF SoutH A¥Frica: Government Printing Works, Pretoria, Transvaal.
UruGuay: Oficina de Canje Internacional, Montevideo.
VENEZUELA: Biblioteca Nacional, Caracas.
VictortA: Public Library of Victoria, Melbourne.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Public Library of Western Australia, Perth.
WINDWARD AND LEEWARD ISLANDS: Imperial Department of Agriculture, Bridge-
town, Barbados.
Respectfully submitted.
C. W. SHOEMAKER,
Chief Clerk, International Exchange Service.
Dr. Cuartes D. Watcort,
Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
Aveusr 15, 1917.
1 Shipments suspended on account of the war.
ei el
APPENDIX 4.
REPORT ON THE NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK.
Sie: I have the honor to submit the following report on the opera-
tions of the National Zoological Park for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1917:
There was allowed by Congress in the sundry civil bill the sum of
$100,000 for all expenses, except printing and binding, for which
$200 additional was granted.
The continued increase from year to year in the cost of nearly all
supplies used at the park has so greatly enlarged the bills for
maintenance expenses that very little could be done this year in the
way of permanent improvements on buildings and grounds. The
collections have, nevertheless, been kept in excellent condition and
at nearly the normal numbers, though much-needed repairs and
alterations, for the comfort and safety of the public, or to improve
housing conditions of animals, could not be made. The number of
specimens is slightly below that for a number of years, but the actual
value and scientific importance of the collection is probably as great
as at any time in the history of the park.
In October, 1916, Dr. Frank Baker, for 26 years the superin-
tendent, tendered his resignation to take effect November 1. To quote
from an editorial in the Washington Times of October 6, entitled
“The Loss of Dr. Baker ”:
The resignation of Dr. Frank Baker as superintendent of the National
Zoological Park marks the close of 26 years of valuable service in that
eapacity.
A reading of the reports of the Smithsonian Institution shows how much
the Zoo here has developed under Dr. Baker, until it now possesses one of the
most varied and interesting collections of animals of any such institution in
the country.
The average citizen does not bother much about zoos except as a form of
Sunday afternoon entertainment for children. But the educational value of the
parks is becoming more generally recognized. School children of Washington
are now sent to the Zoo to observe the animals, and they can learn and assimi-
late much more there in a few visits than they could accumulate in weeks of
studying geographies.
As a professor of anatomy for 33 years at Georgetown University, as presi- |
dent of the National Association of Anatomists, and as an active member of
half a dozen other scientific bodies, Dr. Baker has also attained note outside
val
72 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1917.
his work at the Zoo. His capacity for work is suggested in the calm announce-
ment that he, at the age of 75 years, must retire from the Zoo, not to seek
leisure, but because of the pressure of other duties. Dr. Baker is one of a
notable group of scientists to be found in Washington whose reputation is
world-wide.
ACCESSIONS.
Gifts——Animals to the number of 99 were presented by friends of
the park, or placed on indefinite deposit. These include many of the
more common species of the native fauna as well as some especially
desirable animals rarely obtained.
One of the most notable gifts was that of five adult Rocky Moun-
tain sheep received from the Canadian Government, through Mr.
J. B. Harkin, commissioner of Dominion parks. These animals
were captured in the Rocky Mountains Park near Banff, Alberta, and
reached Washington March 7 in perfect condition. The shipment
included one 5-year-old ram, a younger ram, and three ewes. A ewe
lamb was born on May 27. Two paddocks were opened together to
give the sheep sufficient range. and the exhibit is one of the most
important now shown by the park. The animals are doing well to
date and although the wild sheep is one of the species most difficult
to keep in eastern zoological] gardens it is hoped that the animals
comprising this accession may be kept on show for a considerable
time. The Duke of Bedford made a further gift of four Bedford
deer, or Manchurian stags, from his collection at Woburn Abbey,
England. The Bedford deer (Cervus xanthopygus) is one of a large
group of Old World deer related to the American elk or wapiti, and
has not heretofore been exhibited. The animals received have been
given a commodious yard bordering the creek on the eastern side
of the park, near the yaks, and are doing splendidly in their new
home. A thrifty fawn was born June 14. Mr. Victor J. Evans, of
Washington, D. C., showed continued interest in the exhibit by de-
positing some desirable Australian marsupials, including two wom-
bats and a nail-tailed wallaby. both new to the collection.
The complete list of the donors and gifts is as follows:
Adams Express Co., Washington, D. C., mink.
Mr. and Mrs. Carl E. Akeley, New York City, vervet monkey and a bonnet
monkey.
Mrs. Ida Bangs, Washington, D. C., yellow-naped parrot.
Mr. J. C. Beard, Brightwood, D. C.. two barred owls.
The Duke of Bedford, Woburn Abbey, England, four Bedford deer.
Mr. C. E. Brewster and Dr. F. Kent, Eagle Pass, Tex., Inca dove, a hybrid
quail, and eight chestnut-bellied scaled quails.
Mrs. C. S. Briggs, Washington, D. C., alligator.
Mrs. F. S. Brown, Washington, D. C., sparrowhawk.
Postmaster General Burleson, Washington, D. C., alligator.
Mrs. E. Caminetti, Washington, D. C., yellow rail.
é
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 7083
Canadian Government, through Hon. J. B. Harkin, five Rocky Mountain
sheep.
‘Prof. W. E. Castle, Bussey Institution, Harvard University, four Peruvian
wild guinea-pigs.
Mrs. Chatham, Washington, D. C., yellow-headed parrot.
Mr. D. Crovo, Washington, D. C., boa constrictor and a murine opossum.
Mr. John O. Darlington, Washington, D. C., two alligators.
Dr. Ned Dearborn, Laurel, Md., common ferret.
Mr. R. E. Dunham, Allegan, Mich., alligator.
Dr. W. O. Emery, Washington, D. C., Cooper’s hawk.
Mr. Victor J. Evans, Washington, D. C., nail-tailed wallaby and two SQL
Mr. H. G. Fletcher, Washington, D. C., alligator.
Mr. J. M. Frank, jr., Washington, D. C., alligator.
Mrs. W. S. Groh, Burke, Va., alligator.
Mr. M. E. Heeter, Washington, D. C., alligator.
Mr. John Heywood, Gardner, Mass., ten mallards.
Mr. J. J. Hoffman, Washington, D. en alligator.
Mrs. Katherine Hunter, Washington, D. C., yellow-headed parrot.
Mrs. J. W Jenks, Washington, D. C., blue jay.
Dr. Guy W. Latimer, Hyattsville, Md., ring-necked pheasant.
Mr, Willis Lillycrop, Washington, D. C., white-throated capuchin.
Mr. T. P. Lovering, Washington, D. C., two chicken snakes, a black snake, a
southern brown snake, and a brown water snake.
Miss Eleanor Marshall, Washington, D. C., alligator.
Mr. D. W. May, Mayaguez, P. R., Mona Island iguana.
_ Misses Margaret and Lily Meldahl, Washington. W. Va., curassow and a red-
yellow-and-blue macaw.
Mr. J. C. Meyer, Washington, D. C., fox sparrow.
Mr. Irvin Miller, second officer, steamship Northland, Norfolk, Va., green -
heron.
: Mr, James Mooney, jr., Washington, D. C., alligator.
Miss Niles, Washington, D. C., alligator.
Mr. William H. Ottemiller, York, Pa., alligator.
Mrs. M. A. Pitt, Washington, D. C., three grass parrakeets.
Mr. T. J. Poole, Washington, D. C., two screech owls.
Mrs. J. L. Primm, Washington, D. C., three Virginia opossums.
Mr. Louis Rueger, Richmond, Va., Mexican puma.
Mr. W. EH. Safford, Washington, D. C., gopher turtle.
Mr. E. S. Schmid, Washington, D. C., woodchuck.
Dr. R. W. Shufeldt, Washington, D. C., water snake.
Miss Pearl Smith and Mr. J. C. Lamon, Alcoa, Tenn., two banded rattlesnakes.
Dr. John S. Stearns, Washington, D. C., horned grebe.
Mr. Wilfred Stevens, Wesley Heights, D. C., indigo bunting.
Mr. C. E. Swihart, Fort Barraneas, Fla., horned toad.
Mr. J. E. Taylor, Oxford, Md., common skunk.
Mr. Hall Vermillion, Washington, D. C., sparrow hawk.
Mr. Clark Vernon, Washington, D. C., alligator.
Mr. J. W. Weaver, Nashville, Tenn., common skunk.
Births —Fifty-two mammals were born, and 41 birds were hatched
during the year. The births include 3 bears, 1 hippopotamus, 8 red
deer, 1 Bedford deer, 2 elk, 2 mule deer, 2 Virginia deer, 1 fallow deer,
1 axis deer, 2 hog deer, 4 barasingha deer, 3 Japanese deer, 1 black
74 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1917.
buck, 1 yak, 3 bison, 1 Rocky Mountain sheep, 1 aoudad, 2 guanacos,
3 llamas, 2 great red kangaroos, 1 wallaroo, 6 coypus, and 1 monkey.
The birds hatched include Canada geese, ducks, Java sparrows, and
peafowl. The hippopotamus is the first one born in the park, and
one of very few ever born in America. It is a thrifty male and has
attracted great attention.
Exchanges.—In exchange for surplus animals the park received
12 mammals and 62 birds. A drill, a young male sea lon, a pair
of scarlet ibises, and numerous ducks for the North American water-
fowl lake were obtained in this manner, as well as other species much
needed to fill gaps in the collection. y
Purchases.—Owing to lack of sufficient funds for the purchase of
animals, many desirable species greatly needed in the collection,
and offered from time to time, could not be obtained. A total of
26 mammals, 23 birds, and 22 reptiles were received through pur-
chase, mostly small native species at low cost.
Transfers—F¥our elk were received from Yellowstone Park
through the Department of the Interior, but only two reached Wash-
ington in good condition and were saved. These were shipped East
with a carload of elk for the State of Virginia, and were obtained
with the idea of introducing new blood in the herd maintained at
the park. The Biological Survey, of the Department of Agriculture,
transferred to the park certain North American mammals, including
-a mountain lion from Arizona, a dusky marmot from New Mexico,
and some mountain beavers from Washington.
Captured in the park.—One bird and one reptile, captured within
the boundaries of the park, were added to the collection.
Deposited —Hon. R. M. Barnes, of Lacon, Il, sent to the park
as a loan a male of the almost extinct trumpeter swan, one of the
finest species of North American waterfowl. The park owned a single
female of this rare swan and efforts are now being made to mate
these surviving birds and preserve the species from extinction. The
two swans are quartered in an ideal place, and although they were
apparently placed together too late to breed this season, hopes are
entertained that by next spring they will be sufficiently familiar with
their surroundings to nest. A number of fur-bearing animals from
the Bureau of Biological Survey, Department of Agriculture, and
some rhesus monkeys from the Hygienic Laboratory were received
on temporary deposit.
REMOVALS.
Surplus birds and mammals to the number of 51 were exchanged to
other zoological gardens, and 62 animals on deposit were returned to
the Bureau of Biological Survey, Department of Agriculture, and
to the Hygienic Laboratory. A number of specimens of native
eS oe
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 75
species were liberated in the Park and dropped from the list of ani-
mals in the collection.
The number of animals lost by death is comparatively small, but
some important and valuable animals are included in the lst. The
death of Dunk, the Indian elephant, was the most notable loss. Dunk
was the first animal to be placed in the Zoological Park when the
present site was occupied. He was presented to the park by Mr.
James EK. Cooper, proprietor of the Adam Forepaugh Shows, April
30, 1891, and was then about 25 years old. Over 50 years of age at
the time of his death, Dunk had reached the average limit for animals
of his kind, for contrary to common belief the longevity of the ele-
phant is not great in proportion to the size of the beast. Others of
the more serious losses were a large Galapagos tortoise (Zestudo
ephippium), February 21, from enteritis; the harpy eagle (TArasaé-
tos harpyia) April 14, from aspergillosis; and a female Manchurian
tiger which was idncirally killed as unfit for exhibition June 29.
The Galapagos tortoise, with others of his kind, had been in the col-
lection since October 1, 1898. The record for the harpy eagle is a
matter of pride for the keepers in the bird department, for this rare
bird of prey had been kept in good health for nearly 18 years. He
was received May 19, 1899, as a gift from the governor of the State
of Amazonas, Brazil, through Commander C. C. Todd, United States
Navy. It is believed that the species has never before been kept in
any gardens for a similar period.
Post-mortem examinations were made, as usual, by the pathological
division of the Bureau of Animal Industry, United States Depart-
ment of Agriculture. The following list shows the cause of death of
animals in each general group. It is believed that the publication of
such lists is to be encouraged, as they are of undoubted value to
gardens less fortunately provided for up-to-date pathological inves-
tigations.
CAUSES OF DEATH.
MAMMALS.
Primates: Gastritis, 1; enteritis, 3; gastroenteritis, 2; no cause found, 1.
Carnivora: Hnteritis, 3; gastroenteritis, 7; malnutrition, 1; anemia, 1; peri-
tonitis, 1; internal hemorrhage, 1. —
Ungulates: Enteritis, 3: gastroenteritis, 1; pneumonia, 3; congestion of lungs,
1: tuberculosis, 2; uremia, 1; peritonitis, 1; necrosis of jaw, 1; cachexia, 1;
malnutrition, 1.
Rodents: Entertits, 1; gastroenteritis, 1; tuberculosis, 2; anemia, 1.
Marsupials: Enteritis, 1; pneumonia, 1; septicemia, 1.
BIRDS.
Passeriformes: Enteritis, 1.
Coraciiformes: Aspergillosis, 1; no cause found, 2.
76
ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1917.
‘
Cuculiformes: Gastroenteritis, 1; internal hemorrhage, 1; cause not found, 10.
Charadriiformes: Enteritis, 2; tuberculosis, 3; pneumonia, 2.
Gruiformes: Tuberculosis, 2.
Galliformes: Enteritis, 2; gastroenteritis, 2; quail disease, 22. ds
Falconiformes: Enteritis, 1; aspergillosis, 3; no cause found, 1.
Anseriformes: Enteritis, 2; tuberculosis, 4; pneumonia, 1; aspergillosis. 2; no
cause found, 3.
Ciconiiformes: Enteritis, 5; anemia, 1; internal hemorrhage, 1; fibroma of in-
testine, 1.
Colymbiformes: Septicemia, 1.
Testudinata: Enteritis, 1.
Loricata: No cause found, 1.
REPTILES.
Serpentes: Enteritis, 1; intestinal necrosis, 1; no cause found, 1.
Thirty-three of the animals lost by death were transferred to the
National Museum for mounting. These included all the rarer speci-
mens or those of special scientific importance.
ANIMALS IN THE COLLECTION JUNE 30, 1917.
MAMMALS.
MARSUPIALIA. CARNIVORA—continued.
Murine opossum (Marmosa murina) __ 1 | Cinnamon bear (Ursus americanus
Virginia opossum (Didelphis virgin- Chinamomuim) 2 22
nai) ie eg a eS eh 3 | Sloth bear (Melursus wrsinus)—------~
Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus har- Polar bear (Thalarctos maritimus) —~
ky) 2 sill ella BS BS oe ea es Nl Re ea 2 | Eskimo dog (Canis familiaris)_-__-~-~-
Phalanger (Trichosurus vulpecula) —-- 2 | Gray wolf (Canis nubilus)__-----__
Dusky phalanger (Trichosurus fulig- Southern wolf (Canis floridanus)—---
SOA A Vagre c ESA A all A ag i eS 2 | Woodhouse’s wolf (Canis frustror)__—
Nail-tailed wallaby (Onychogale fre- Coyote (Canis latrans)——~----------_
CL TEH I U2) Ye eae SEE, SA SY ea ee ae Se 1_| Red fox (Vulpes fulwa)—_ 2-2
srush-tailed rock kangaroo (Petrogale Swift fox (Vulpes velow) _=___—_—_——
penicilliata)tsiies se ee Shoes a 2 | Gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) —
Great gray kangaroo (Macropus gi- Cacomistle (Bassariscus astutus)----~
OUR AG Dp Vpes es A oh eligi eel 2 | Raccoon (Procyon totor)=——2=2 2202
Red kangaroo (Macropus rufus)-—~--~ 5 | Gray coatimundi (Nasua@ narica) _---~-
Wallaroo (Macropus robustus)_---_---~ 8 | Kinkajou (Potos flavus) 2-2
Black-tailed wallaby (Macropus uala- Ferret (Mustela furo) 2222222222222
EET SEG) Na a) aS og ae ate, 1) Mink. (Mustela-vison) == See
Parma wallaby (Macropus parma) -_~ 1 | Tayra (Tayra btoerbtora) See
Wombat (Phascolomys mitchelli) ---~ 2 | Skunk (Mephitis nigra)
American badger (Tagidea tarus)__--~
CARNIVORA. European badger (Meles meles)__---~-
Florida otter (Lutra canadensis vagd@) —
Kadiak bear (Ursus middendorjji) ~~~ 1 | African civet (Viverra civetta)-—---~
Alaska Peninsula bear (Ursus gyas) -_ 2 | Genet (Genetta genetta) ______---__~
Yakutat bear (Ursus dalli)_____--_-~- 1 | Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta)—--_-
Kidder’s bear (Ursus kidderi)_----~-- 2 | African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)——
Hybrid bear (Ursus kidderi-arctos) _~ 3 || Lion "(Felis lé0) Lee
European bear (Ursus arctos)__---~ 2 Somaliland lion (Felis leo somatliensis) —
Himalayan bear (Ursus thibetanus) ~~ 1 | Bengal tiger (Felis tigris) ---__------_~
Japanese bear (Ursus japonicus) _—_~~ 1 | Manchurian tiger (Felis tigris longi-
Grizzly bear (Ursus horribilis)_----~ 3 mlis) 22-2 2 ee
Black bear (Ursus americanus) _—~~-~ 3..| Leopard (Felis pardus) i _ eee
Kenai black bear (Ursus americanus East African. leopard (Felis pardus
BOLT IC CN ce = ee at ae ee 2 suahelica), -_ siivinny ss = vee
1Nine lorikeets, while apparently healthy, died suddenly after convulsions.
pathologists have thus far been unable
to find the cause.
NE RN EP HEB UNDN NDP HBB BPE OH HEPA NNHONNHE
The
a
ae
REPORT OF
CARNIVORA—continued.
BacualNCMels ONCE) = a
Mexican puma (Felis azteca) __------
Mountain lion (Felis hippolestes) _-_--
Canada lynx (Lyn# canadensis) ------
Bay lynx (Lyn@ ruffus) --_-----------
California lynx (Lyn« californicus) —--
PINNIPEDIA,
California sea lion (Zalophus califor-
_ manus) —--—--__---______________
Steller’s sea lion (Humetopias jubata) —
Harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) --------
RODENTIA,
Patagonian cavy (Dolichotis patagon-
CCU) ee ee EN A a
Peruvian guinea pig (Cavia tschudti
(DTALIOIOI)) ea eee ae ET
‘Guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) _-_-_------
Coypu (Myocastor coypus) —--------+-
_ Mexican agouti (Dasyprocta mewicana) -
Azara’s agouti (Dasyprocta azar@) _---~
Crested agouti (Dasyprocta cristata) --
Paca (Cuniculus paca) --------------
WViscacha (Lagostomus maximus) —----
Crested porcupine (Hystria cristata) --
Mountain beaver (Aplodontia rufa) -—--
Woodchuck (Marmota mona) —------£
Dusky marmot (Marmota flaviventris
GUSCULO) ee ee 2 eee
Prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) ~~
Striped spermophile (Citellus tridecem-
MPETERS) 25 oe Se ee ee
Albino squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) —
American beaver (Castor canadensis) —
LAGOMORPHA.
Domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cunicu-
OG)) S52) = i Ee
EDENTATA,
Hairy armadillo (Huphractus villosus) —
PRIMATES.
Mongoose lemur (Lemur mongoz) ---~--
Black lemur (Lemur macaco) —--------
‘Titi monkey (Saimiri sciureus) —------
Gray spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyt) —
White-throated capuchin (Cebus ca-
LUCID IOS) re ee ae es
Brown capuchin (Cebus fatuellus)_----
Guinea baboon (Papio papio)-------~
Chacma (Papio porcarius) _---------~-
Yellow baboon (Papio cynocephatus) ——
HMamadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas) —-
Mandrill (Papio sphingv) ~-----------
Drill (Papio leucopheus) _-----------
Moor macaque (Cynopithecus maurus) —
Brown macaque (Macaca speciosa) ~---
Japanese monkey (Macaca fuscata) —-_
Pig-tailed monkey (Macaca nemes-
TBUPL LER) as eel ey A ne
25027—17—_6
THE SECRETARY.
Sow Pr bs
bo to eH bh
PNRPeENYDARNY EAS
Ne
Nee
15
BPP e
NNYFE ENE Oe DO
PRIMATES—continued.
Rhesus monkey (Macaca rhesus) —---
Bonnet monkey (Macaca sinica) —~---_-
Javan macaque (Macaca mordac) ——--—
Sooty mangabey (Cercocebus fuligi-
Green guenon (Lasiopyga callitrichus) —
Vervet guenon (Lasiopyga pygery-
Mona (Lasiopyga mona) _~--------~-
Roloway guenon (Lasiopyga roloway) -
Patas monkey (Hrythrocebus patas)—-
Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) —-----~
ARTIODACTYLA.
Collared peccary (Pecari angulatus) —
Wild boar (Sus scrofa)—--_-----_--_-
Wart hog (Phacocherus e@thiopicus)-_—
Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphib-
FUE S)) eS ESR SPE IES 2 BNL BD el
Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) —
Arabian camel (Camelus dromeda-
MULES) PESTS BSNL A BTN Eas
Guanaco (Lama huanachus)—-----~-
Llama (Lama glama)__--_-__-__-_--
Alpaca (Lama pacos)-~--~-------~-~-
Vicuna (Lama vicugna)—-------------
Fallow deer (Dama dama)—---------
Axis deer (Awis aavis)_--_--_______-__-
Hog deer (Hyelaphus porcinus) -__-~
Sambar (Rusa wnicolor)__-_---_-___~
Luzon deer (Rusa philippinus)_—~__--
Barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii) ____
Japanese deer (Sika nippon)—-------
Red deer (Cervus elaphus) —.----_---
Kashmir deer (Cervus hanglu) ------
Bedford deer (Cervus xanthopygus) —-
American elk (Cervus canadensis) —-—
Virginia deer (Odocoileus virginianus) —
Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) —---
Black-tailed deer (Odocoileus columbi-
Blesbok (Damaliscus albifrons) __-___
White-tailed gnu (Connochetes gnu) _--
Defassa water-buck (Kobus defassa) —
Indian antelope (Antilope cervicapra) —
Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis
GONMERGIES)) os OS es ee es
Sable antelope (Ozanna niger) —---~-~
Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) __~
Congo harnessed antelope (Tragela-
DRUSEAHOT UNS) Se oe See
East African eland (Taurotragus oryw
iwingstonti) or eee eee
Tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus)—-----~
Aoudad (Ammotragus lervia)_-------_
Circassian goat (Capra hircus)_------
Rocky Mountain sheep (Ovis canaden-
849) ee ee ee ae
Barbados sheep (Ovis aries) ---_-----
Zebu (Bos indicus) --._-_-__-__-------
Anoa (Anoa depressicornis) ___-_-_----
Yak (Poéphagus grunniens)_—-----_-
2 | American bison (Bison bison)_---~--
oo 02
=
BRNWONMMAMOCWHENAAAWHE bw oo w
ay
DERE ae RPH Oo
is)
78
PERISSODACTYLA.
Brazilian tapir (Tapirus terrestris)__-
Mongolian horse (Hquus przewalskii) —
Grant’s zebra (Equus burchelli granti) —
Grevy’s zebra (Hquus grevyi)-------
Zebra horse, hybrid (Equus grevyi-
COUGEUS) 255 n= tele Sk BS pe ee Ake
RATITA.
South African ostrich (Struthio aus-
LP OMS)! Se ane ae eee
Somaliland ostrich (Struthio molybdo-
TU COMES) ea aN a
Rhea (Rhea americana) ____.--------
Cassowary (Casuarius galeatus) _-----
Emu (Dromiceius novehollandie) —---
CICONIIFORMES.
American’ white pelican (Pelecanus
CLYENTOCRYNCHOS) Ha ee ae
European white pelican (Pelecanus
ONCCTOTOUS) ea ee ee
Roseate pelican (Pelecanus roseus) —--
Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspic-
ALTAR GE So ee ee
srown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) —
Florida cormorant (Phalacrocoraw au-
ritus floridanus) 82 .=—-~-—a==—--=
White-necked heron (Ardea cocot)---
Great blue heron (Ardea herodias)—--
Snowy egret (Egretta candidissima) —-
Green heron (Butorides virescens) —--~
Black-crowned night heron (Nycticorap
nyCclticora®e Meuius)), ~~ 2-2.
Boatbill (Cochlearius cochlearius) ~~~
White stork (Ciconia ciconia) _---_---_
Black stork (Ciconia nigra) --_-----~
Marabou stork (Leptoptilos dubius) —-
Sacred ibis (Threskiornis ethiopicus) —
White ibis (Guara alba) _----------~-
Searlet ibis (@uara rubra) __-_-_-_-_---_
Roseate spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja)—--_--
European flamingo (Phenicopterus
Re LS) Ve et Se eS eS ee
ANSERIFORMES,
Black-necked screamer (Chauna_ tor-
CITA H AT op SS AD ES Oe? Ee
_Horned screamer (Anhima cornuta) ——
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) —~------
East Indian black duck (Anas platy-
TRYNCHOS Vie yy see 8 ee a Se
Black duck (Anas rubripes) _-----_-
Huropean widgeon (Mareca penelope) —
Baldpate (Mareca americana) __------
Green-winged teal (WNettion caro-
UNENSE) i a ae ene
Blue-winged teal (Querquedula_ dis-
COWS) 21 0. Eee SAE ia ak
Ruddy sheldrake (Casarca ferruginea)
*
= 6 = oD ee to
he
=
ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1917.
PPRISSODACTYLA—continued.
Zebra ass, hybrid (EHquus . grevyi-
Q8iINUS) =o eee
PROBOSCIDEA.
Abyssinian elephant (Lozxodonta afri-
cand aryotis) 2... 55 See
BIRDS. s
>
Newer
wb
-
NNF Ore Wh >
fa
-
1
ANSERIFORMES—continued.
Pintail (Dajfila acuta) -— 222 eee
Wood duck (Atm sponsa) =e
Mandarin duck (Dendronessa galericu-
lata)
Canvas-back (Marila valisineria) _____
Lesser scaup duck (Marila affinis) ____
Rosy-billed pochard (Metopiana pepo-
800Q@) _-2_ 2 eee
Snow goose (Chen hyperboreus) ______
Blue goose (Chen cerulescens) ______~
Ross’s goose (Chen rossii) _-_-_-______
White-fronted goose (Anser albifrons) —
American white-fronted goose (Anser
albifrons gambelt)| 2s 522 eee
Toulouse goose (Anser cinereus do-
mesticus): s-co5 2S) Bae Bee
Bar-headed goose (Anser indicus) —___~
Canada goose (Branta canadensis) ___
Hutchins’s goose (Branta canadensis
hutchinestt) —... 32-2 eee
Cackling goose (Branta canadensis
minimde) 22—e. 1. See
Barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis) ____
Upland goose (Chloéphaga leucoptera) _
Spur-winged goose (Plectropterus gam-
bensi8.... 2 2
Cape Barren goose (Cereopsis novehol-
lendi@) Jo.
Wandering tree duck (Dendrocygna ar-
ciate) . =... eee eee
White-faced tree duck (Dendrocygna
viduttd) ... eee
Black-bellied tree duck (Dendrocygna
qutumnalhis) — —..-.— 22 eee
Mute swan (Cygnus gibbus)_________
Whistling swan (Olor columbianus) —-
Trumpeter swan (Olor buccinator) —__
Black swan (Chenopsis atrata) __-_~-
FALCONIFORMES.
South American condor (Vultur gry-
phus) .. hee eee
California condor (Gymnogyps califor-
NONUS) & 225 eee
Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) —--__
Black vulture (Coragyps urubu) —---_-
King vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) ——~
Secretary bird (Sagittarius serpenta-
VIS) — owe Sac bane ee ee
Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) ______--
Cinereous vulture (Aegypius mona-
Chus)— =~. 22 eee
Woe He He bet
=
why kw
i a i
REPORT OF
FALCONIFORMES—continued.
Lammergeyer (Gypaétus barbatus) —---
Caracara (Polyborus cheriway)_____~
Yellow - throated caracara (Lbycter
GU AEIT)Y a, Se eet A RE eae epee ak LL AB
Crowned hawk eagle (Spizaétus coro-
IE ROPTERR FISD es en es 9 Ss A Sbe LAL UL
Wedge-tailed eagle (Uroaétus audaz) ~~
Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaétos) —____
Bald eagle (Haliewetus leucocephalus) —
Alaskan bald eagle (Haliwetus leuco-
cephalus alascanus) ~~ ~-_____-_____
Sparrow hawk (Falco sparverius) —____
GALLIFORMES.
Mexican curassow (Craz globicera) —_~
Daubenton’s curassow (Crar dauwben-
EOE IO Bre a AL oe OPIS
Wild turkey (IMJeleagris gallopavo) ——_-
Peafowl (Pavo cristatus)__~______~__
Peacock pheasant (Polyplectron bical-
GU MCUE ITT Wea eee a a Fos BIN ee Be
Silver pheasant (Huplocamus nycthe-
IUCIELLS) ys has AP NHI ORAS FS ND Nn Lt Bag &
Natal francolin (Francolinus natalen-
GORY oo le NR SP ee ee
Crested francolin (er cncoinue seph-
Curacao crested quail (Eupsychortyx
ICHUST GIES) Py Se ieee oe aL ea
Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) ___-_~
Scaled quail (Callipepla squamata) —_—
Gambel’s quail (Lophortyx gaimbelii) —_
Valley quail (Lophortyx californica
SOIC QUID) Vee 2s ae a a Pe Se ae
GRUIFORMES.
American coot (Fulica americana) —__
Whooping crane (Grus americana) -__
Sandhill crane (Grus mexicana) ___-~~
White-necked crane (Grus leucauchen) —
Indian white crane (Grus leucogera-
TIMID) Be ae es Se eee
Lilford’s crane (Grus lilfordi) _-_--_~
Australian crane (Grus rubicunda) ——_
Demoiselle crane (Anthropoides virgo) —
Crowned crane (Balearica pavonina) __
Cariama (Cariama _ cristata)_--~----~-
CHARADRIIFORMES.
Great black-backed gull (Larus mari-
Herring gull (Larus argentatus) ——_--~
Laughing gull (Lerus atricilla)__-_--
Australian crested pigeon (Ocyphaps
VO TUO LCS reer ss toi NCE ee Oa
Wonga-wonga
UCHUCG) 2 2 0s ee pay ye A
Speckled pigeon (Columba pheonota) —
Snow pigeon (Ooluwmba leuconota) _--
White-crowned pigeon (Patagienas
ICUCOCCORGLA) oa ieee ee
Band-tailed pigeon (Chlorenas fas-
LOCO tase ase ea LY ES ay SEL as See
THE SECRETARY.
oNNe
bo :
La me ho OF hb
Howe hb
FPMponNne we
CHARADRIFORMNS—continued.
Red-billed pigeon (Chlorawnas flaviros-
White-winged dove (Melopelia asia-
ERGO) ates a Wi Le NS A eye
Mourning dove (Zenaidura macroura) —
Peaceful dove (Geopelia tranquwilla) —
Zebra dove (Geopelia striata) _____-_
Cape masked dove (Gina capensis) ~~~
Inca dove (Scardafella inca) __----_~—
Blue-headed quail-dove (Starnenas
eyanocephala) ~~ -2—-_ =
Collared turtle-dove
TUS OPZUCL) os a aN ete va es ASE AU
CUCULIFORMES.
White-crested touraco as cory-
GREELY SIE SSG WT US EE LOB NS
Grass parrakeet (inepsinens un-
GAUL EUES)) | SESE EEE Ak a es ES Bs
Black-tailed
MeElANUTG) LIAO INS - eB h e
Banded parrakeet
GAG GOY ES A 2 i SB EN
Lesser vasa parrot (Coracopsis nigra) —
Gray parrot (Psittacus erithacus) ~~~
Cuban parrot (Amazona leucocephala) —
Porto Rican parrot (Amazona vittata) —
Yellow-winged parrot (Amazona bar-
DAGENSIS) eee ee oy
Festive parrot (Amazgona festiva) --__
Yellow-fronted parrot (Amazona och-
VOCCPWALG) oa A Na i
Yellow-naped parrot (Amazona auro-
OCLC.) ase ae eg EE
Yellow-headed parrot (Amazona ora-
TROL) ee aia DY a pede e te Repeye Ryu ee
Quaker parrot (Myiopsitta monachus) —
Red-and-blue macaw (Ara _ chlorop-
NEC TCV Se acc Ee PRA ION
Red-and-yellow- ci blue macaw une
IVACHO) ea SS Se URE
Yellow-and-blue macaw (Ara arara-
AUTO) es eas es UM ee EE
Sulphur-erested cockatoo (Cacatoes
ODLETLED) So eS
Great red-crested cockatoo (Cacatoes
moluccensis) ______--_--_-_-----+--
White cockatoo (Cacatoes alba)_____~
Leadbeater’s cockatoo (Cacatoes lead-
beaters) 2 ERIS Ae ae
Bare-eyed cockatoo (Oacatoes gym-
1D GIRLS) ee ee
Roseate cockatoo (Cacatoes roseica-
BLL) Rice Ue eee Le ee
Scaly-breasted lorikeet (Psitteuteles
chlorolepidotus) _-----__----_-----
CORACIIFORMES.
Giant kingfisher(Dacelo gigas) ---_—~
Concave-casqued hornbill (Dichoceros
O1OT NIB) ee et ee
Barred owl (Strig varia) -~----------
Screech owl (Otus asio)__--_--------
Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) -
peak
79
20
tet et et
12
80 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1917.
PASSERIFORMES.
‘
Yellow tyrant (Pitangus sulphur-
CG ee eae ee ee
Japanese robin (Liothrix luteus) _---
Laughing thrush (Garrulag leucolo-
YT fig pp ds hl ea he A IY
Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) _----
Brown thrasher (Toxvostoma rufum) —-
Australian gray jumper (Struthidea
cinered)=-. 22 eee
Red-billed magpie (Urocissa occipi-
(ALA Ba Vee ape ol pe eet ee
FCT) fe a eae
Blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) -------
American crow (Corvus brachyrhyn-
Choe). Sees See ae eee aL
Australian crow (Corvus coronoides) —
European raven (Corvus corag®) ------~
Glossy starling (Lamprotornis cauda-
$149) pe ee ee SS
Malabar starling (Spodiopsar mala-
Gartous) ees hee esses ee se Sek 1 lat@), 2-22 esi see 2
Napolean weaver (Pyromelana afra) -- 2 | Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) _----- 3
REPTILES.
Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphe- Horned toad (Phrynosoma cornutum) — 1
MALS) Bae 2 TaD RN 1 | Rock python (Python molurus) —_---- 3
Duncan Island tortoise (Testudo ephip- Anaconda (Hunectes murinus) ------- 2
pi) ae ee ee See ay al Boa constrictor (Constrictor constric-
Albemarle Island tortoise (Testudo tor) .2iLsosuLl. 2 eee eee 3)
AVE OLIUD)) sas gt pa esse ES 1 | Water snake (Natrin sipedon)—------ 2
Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)_ 30 | Black snake (Coluber constrictor) —-_-- 2
Mona Island iguana (Cyclura stejne- Coach-whip snake (Coluber flagellum) — 1
Gerth Dawes 1 NIE Eb SIS 1 | Chicken snake (Elaphe obsoleta quad-
Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) — (G rivittata) _...23es ee 3
STATEMENT OF THE COLLECTION.
ACCESSIONS DURING THE YEAR.
Presented : Transferred from other Goy-
Mammals tt atone ere 28 ernment departments:
Bar SB Aneh etek +> aren ene 44 Mammals'= 2.2 eee 5
Reptiles 222222 tae sees 27 5 d ‘ arr tee
—— 99 | Captured in National Zoologi-
Born and hatched in the Na- eal Park: i
tional Zoological Park: Birds 22.3) 1
Mammaisioa2) |. oniedian _ J 52 Reptiles, -_ = ee ql
BirdsS=2322? seer graSs nes 41 , soa Vee
—— 93 | Deposited:
Received in exchange: Mammals: 222530 52
VGA THOT a: ESL eee Wi ee Mi NEP uP} Birdsili 0024. Se il
Beis Aaa) eS 62 ae.
ey (| aE:
Purchased: Total accessions ay ef 397
IVES IN asi ee 26
Bind Set es 2 Se i 23
Reptiles 2. Seen apes) 22
PASSHRIFORMES—continued,
Crimson-crowned weaver (Pyromelana
flammiceps). +...--=-- = 2
1 Madagascar weaver (Foudia madagas-
4 cariensis) —- = 3 eee 3
Paradise weaver (Steganura para
2 diséa) 22.-2--2._- eee 5
1 Cut-throat finch (Amadina fasciata) —_ 1
1 | Black-faced Gouldian finch (Poéphila
gouldi@), ---- 2255 -=3 See i
1 | Black-headed finch (Munia atricapilla). 4
Three-colored finch (Munia matlacca) —- af
1 | Nutmeg finch (Munia punctularia)___ 2
Java sparrow (Munia oryzivora) —---- 13
3 | White Java sparrow (Munia oryzi-
2 UO"rG) =- 2-54 =—- eee 5
Cowbird (Molothrus ater) ----------- 1
1 | Fox sparrow (Passerella iliaca) ~----~- if
1 | Nonpareil (Passerina ciris) _-_-----_-- 1
1 | Saffron finch (Sicalis flaveola)__--__~- 12
Canary. (Serinus canarius) ~--------- 4
1 | Green singing finch (Serinus icterus)_ 3
Red-crested cardinal (Paroaria cucul-
71 |
Ce ee
Smithsonian{Report, 1917.—Secretary’s Report. ; ~ PLATE 1.
«
a
Fic. 1.—THE RECONSTRUCTED BUFFALO House, Now IUSED AS A SHELTER FOR THE
MounTAIN SHEEP, ELANDS, AND KASHMIR iDEER, RECENT GIFTS TO THE PARK FROM
CANADA AND ENGLAND.
Fic. 2.—-VIEW ON THE NEW NorTH AMERICAN WATERFOWL LAKE IN THE NATIONAL
ZOOLOGICAL PARK. TWENTY-FOUR OF OUR NATIVE SPECIES OF WILD DUCKS AND
GEESE MAY BE SEEN ON THIS LAKE.
Smithsonian Report, 1917.—Secretary'’s Report. PLATE 9.
Fic. 2.—Rocky MouNTAIN SHEEP RECEIVED AT THE NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK,
MARCH 7, 1917, FROM ROCKY MOUNTAINS PARK, BANFF, ALBERTA, CANADA.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 81
SUMMARY.
Animals on hand July 1, 1916____ ct PUES FN ae a SS A 1, 383
Accessions during the year____ pa I oN TS RRR AS OF Genres 397
1, 780
Deduct loss (by exchange, death, return of animals, and ,animals lib-
VSTEEUE EVOL )) jet eal a lalla ll eo ata ons ian ial ees pages nO met Niu ew sul 557
COP ToT HUT BO EG ea a a RL 1, 223
Class. Species. Individ-
Marina speasereres csi}. cohen toe ht bee eee Oe eee f 159 484
FSied Se ee octal a A ach cia fue mecinsaon letaacacde Nae saat ae eeeauaae 182 683-
LEAETDES s cco ocoe's eels Aa Si ea eT oS OA ER LGN RRS RNS RL A aE 14 56:
OEE on po SOE SR es Se ee eee Seay ete Aine or SE raEae Me aery tee a 355 1, 223
VISITORS.
The number of visitors to the park during the year, as determined
by count and estimate, was 1,106,800, a daily average of 3,032. The
greatest number in any one month was 171,400, in April, 1917, an
average per day of 5,713. The attendance by months was as fol-
lows:
1916: July, 78,800; August, 80,500; September, 122,550; October, 92,200;
November, 48,250; December, 44,625.
1917: January, 37,750; February, 55,675; March, 108,400; April, 171,400;
May, 110,550; June, 161,100.
Excepting 1916, this was the largest attendance in the history of
the park. The anil of visitors was only 50,310 less than in 1916,
and doubtless would have exceeded that “setyd year but for the un-
.seasonable weather on Easter Monday.
One hundred and fifty-three schools and classes visited the park,
with a total of 8,492 individuals.
In addition to the local schools
and those from near-by States, these included schools from Alabama,
Arkansas, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma,
Pennsylvania, and Vermont. A number of officials from other zoo-
logical gardens visited the park.
The exceptionally favorable weather made the skating pond an
attractive feature during the past winter and for a much longer
period than usual. The ice was kept clean of snow throughout the
season and the appreciation of the public would seem to warrant the
construction of additional lakes to be used for exhibits of waterfowl
ne the summer and skating in winter.
,
é
i
82 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1917.
IMPROVEMENTS.
The hospital and laboratory, which has been mentioned in the re-
ports for the last two years, is still unfinished, but a considerable
amount of work was done on the interior cages so that the building
now lacks only the necessary outside yards and the laboratory equip-
ment. The hospital cages are designed for the care and special com-
fort of indisposed or quarantined animals, and accommodations are
provided for two mammals of lion-size, three of leopard-size, three
large ruminants, and a number of smaller animals. In addition,
there is a large, well lighted, central room for laboratory use. The -
completion of this building will greatly facilitate the work of the
pathologists from the Department of Agriculture who visit the
park.
The largest water fowl lake, in the southeastern part of the park,
was enlarged and reconstructed to provide safe and retired breeding
and resting places for the birds. It had formerly been inclosed by
a fence of ordinary poultry wire without special protection from pre-
dacious animals, and there had been frequent loss from the depreda-
tions of rats and the smaller native carnivores. In order to increase
sufficiently the land area it was necessary to construct a stone wall
along Rock Creek at the rear of the inclosure. By lowering the
grade of the hill bordering the lake, sufficient earth was procured to
fill up to the level of the wall on the inner side. A rat-proof fence —
was woven in the machine shop and further provided with guards
against cats and raccoons. The level of the water was raised about
12 inches, greatly increasing the size of the lake, and the new fence
was constructed on a concrete coping considerably outside the former
boundary. Numerous shrubs, small trees, canes, and grasses were
planted to supplement the fine growth of larger trees already on the
area. Visitors walk along one side of the lake only and as the thick
vegetation virtually hides the fence on the opposite side at all points
the effect is that of a wilderness breeding lake for ducks and geese.
As completed, the inclosure provides almost natural conditions for
the waterfowl of numerous species and forms a very attractive ex-
hibit. It has been given over entirely to North American species,
and it is hoped that a large representation of the ducks, geese, and
other aquatic birds commonly associated with them native to our
continent may be kept here. On June 30, no less than 136 North
American waterfowl, of 24 species, were to be seen on the lake. The
natural surroundings and the fact that only American species are
shown here makes this waterfowl lake of special interest to school
classes, sportsmen, and bird lovers, and it has become one of the
popular features of the park. A cement walk was extended from
the bridge near the Harvard Street entrance along the south side of
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 83
the road to the cross roads, to connect with the cinder path bordering
the lake.
The work of grading and filling around the old buffalo house and
the remodeling of the building for other uses, which was commenced _
last year, has been completed. As reconstructed the building makes .
an ideal shelter of pleasing design and furnishes house space for the
animals occupying the six large paddocks that surround it. The
Canadian Rocky Mountain sheep, the elands, and the Kashmir deer
are provided for in this group of yards.
An outdoor cage and shelter, summer quarters for the chimpanzee,
were built near the north entrance to the lion house. This provides
not only for the better health of this interesting trained ape, but
makes it possible for larger crowds to gather about at the time his
meals are served.
New paddocks were provided for ungulate mammals on the piece
of ground recently leveled by grading northwest of the llama yards.
Much-needed repairs were made on the wolf dens and to the lion-
house roof.
A considerable portion of the pasture land near the office was
plowed as an addition to the garden, in an effort to decrease the cost
ef feed for the animals. For the same reason horseflesh has been
substituted for beef as fcod for the carnivorous animals, with the
prospect of saving at least $6,000 on this item alone during the next
fiscal year. A portion cf the nursery was fenced and breeding pens
for quail and other game birds were installed within the inclosure.
It is hoped that most of the quail of various species needed for park
purposes may be reared in this place and that important experiments
in the breeding of game birds may at the same time be conducted
without additional expense.
THE PARK AS A BIRD SANCTUARY.
The entire 169 acres of the National Zoological Park constitutes a
carefully preserved sanctuary for native wild birds. Every effort is
being made to increase the bird population within this area and to
give better protection to the resident species. During the past year
over 100 nesting boxes were provided for those species which com-
monly nest in holes in trees. These were made in the carpenter shop
at odd times during the winter months from trunks and limbs of
fallen trees with the bark in place. Attached to trees of the same
kind or with bark of the same color these nesting boxes are much less
conspicuous and unsightly in the park trees than square boxes made
from planed boards. Many of the boxes were occupied during the
summer by bluebirds, chickadees, nuthatches, wrens, and flickers, and
additional nests will be provided from year to year. During the
84 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1917.
colder months food is provided for the winter residents in various
parts of the park.
Of all the native wild birds within the park perhaps none attract
so much attention as the turkey vultures, or “ buzzards,” which con-
gregate here in great numbers during the fall and winter months.
Food, at practically no expense, is provided for the vultures, and they
become very tame and confiding. Many visitors from the Northern
States, to whom the birds are a novel sight, greatly admire the grace-
ful flight of these interesting creatures. During the summer months
the vultures scatter out over the surrounding country to nest, and
only a few appear within the boundaries of the park, but the security
afforded for winter roosts brings them back in great numbers with
the approach of autumn.
Bobwhite quail appear to be increasing in numbers within the
park and are now fairly abundant. A considerable number of these
birds must help stock the surrounding country from year to year.
Numerous bird classes from the schools and parties of Audubon
Society members find the wilder parts of the park ideal grounds for
observation of the birds.
ALTERATION OF WESTERN BOUNDARY.
It again appears desirable to recapitulate for future reference the
various stages through which the matter of the adjustment of the
western boundary, near the Connecticut Avenue entrance, has passed.
The following appropriation was made by the act approved June
23, 1913:
Readjustment of boundaries: For acquiring, by condemnation, all the lots,
pieces, or parcels of land, other than the one hereinafter excepted, that lie
between the present western boundary of the National Zoological Park and
Connecticut Avenue from Cathedral Avenue to Klingle Road, $107,200, or such
portion thereof as may be necessary, said land when acquired, together with
the included highways, to be added to and become a part of the National
Zoological Park. The proceedings for the condemnation of said land shall be
instituted by the Secretary of the Treasury under and in accordance with the
terms and provisions of subchapter 1 of chapter 15 of the Code of Law for the
District of Columbia.
As the act required that the proceedings be instituted by the Secre-
tary of the Treasury, the attention of that official was called to the
matter in a letter from the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution,
dated June 28, 1918. A special survey and plat of the land required
was necessary, but this plat was not forwarded to the Department of
Justice until November 5, 1913. Other delays ensued; the title of
the various owners of the land had to be investigated, and it was not
until March 11, 1914, that the district court ordered a jury to be
summoned. y AN
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