Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-09-26
The Central Park Menagerie.

The Central Park Mcnagerie is a source of
neyer-e ending entertainment, not to the chill
drcn alone, but to their guardians as well for
there are few people too dull to look with in
tcrcst on wild beasts Que never grows
weary of watching a lion-if he is in "A cage
and eagerness to see the monkeys is univer-
,nl. The scene in the monkey house at the
Park ON a crowded afternoon passes dcscrip-
tion. One must wait patiently for a chance
to get to the cages, for Den, women and chill
dren push and struggle for a good look ut
these odd little beasts. The ubiquitous street
boy wriggles through the crowd like small
worm tJ gain front place, and household
pets Of few summers perched securely up
on papas shoulders shrek with delight.
There are at present in the cages balloons
from Africa, capuchins from South American
forests, macaques from India, spider mon
keys from Costa Rica, and numerous other
varieties. All are alike amusing, and full Of
grotesque half human frolic. Now "A serious
big monkey, apparently full of years. dang
les a rope, upon which the smaller ones twist
and turn until the rope being dropped sud
denly, they all tumble in heap to the floor,
only to scramble up and begin now tricks.
And so the incessant monkey play goes ON,
and we crowd our way out into the fresh air,
and llnger before the cage where the great
American bison stands mournfully and IN 81
lence, as if longing for the freedom Of the
plains in the far West. The poor bison in
spires pity and so do the eagles. which
futter heavily about their cage screeching in
dismal dscordant fashion, as if protesting
against confinement in the very land where
they are the symbol Of liberty. The pigeons.
owls, and other birds in the large ayiury APP
pear cOntentcd enough The pigeons plume
themselves, and look contemptuuusly on the
wrangngs Of a crowd of sparrows which
have taken posse ssion of one Of the large
feed dishes to the utter exclusion Of all their
feathorcd sisters. But the sparrow is always
a loafer and thief, and as such We must ac-
cep: him.
During the summer numbers Of animals are
chained ON the grounds around the buildings,
or confined in outside pens and cages Here
are different species Of large-horutd cattle
quietly munching at heaps of fresh. cut grass
or resting III the shade. Here, too, is a hide
Gus, fabby little elephant, standing patiently
and quietly under tree, the cynosurc of Il
bcvy of wondering boys and girls. Across
the path Is cage through which "a tank Of
water, placed Oh the top, pours a continuous
shower, and III the refreshing dampness stand
three white polar bears, swayng their heads
to and fro without coasing for an instant
There are black bears too, trotting restlcssly
i'll their cages, and in a pen near by group
Of solemn camels are wagging their jaws from
side to side. Other pens contain graceful
spotted deer (Which push their soft noses
through the railing for haudfuls of fresh
grass, zchras llamas, Angora sheep and 9TH
or herbivorous animals. \ large incosure
with n tank in the centre contains the seals
and here is the rare sight of n mother sea-
HonesS and her baby. The infant WAS born
during the journey of the mother to this city.
1t appears to be thriving child and the
utptbtr'e t,plHr,F...y tot-.rl bar n. l..
very touching As We gazcd at this novel
sight - tall lordly English crane stalked across
the iuclosure, before whose presence the seals
fled prccipitautly, and at the door Of the seal
house there appeared u large gray seal, which
stood calmly gazing out upon the scene, as
hermit might sit in the doorway Of his cell on
u summer evening.
Within the buildings the vicious and saw
age animals are confiued There are pan
Tiers tigers wildcats curlcd up asleep and
looking more like nice puSs" than beast to
be dreaded, and lions, noble. grand, and
shaggy, looking out through the iron bars of
their cages with stolid, dsdaiuful glance at
the gazing crowd. The great beasts, how
ever, are not altogether wanting in affection
ate feeling, for one of the keepers of the me
nagcrie having been removed not long since.
the lions roarcd for him so at night that the
slumhcrs of tie inhabitants of the handsome
residences along the Fifth Avenue side of the
Park were disturbed and broken by terrible
dreams of the DARK Continent"
A menagerie is like a large family, and has
it, episodes of birth and death. The death
list at the Park during last year includes an
elephant liouess, a puma, bears, and sew
cral smaller animals. In nearly every case
death was the result of hardshps endured
during long voyage in confined quarters,
the hygienlc conditions of the Park menage-
rio being in themselves favorable to animal
life. During the same period, nine lious,
four prairie wolves, two camels, a zebu, sew
eral deer, and large numbers of the feathered
tribe were born.-HelSR S. COHdHt ia HIr-
peF'S MdQdzi1te fer Oct0beF