Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-06-02
AN EMBRYO zoo.
The Interesting Collection of Animals
at the smithsonian institution.
FEEDING Owls WITH MEAT, BONES, AND ALI
Playful BEARs-How MONKEY PLAYED WITH
THE 'POSsUNs-BUFFALo AND DEER-JAGUAR AND
PRAIRIE DOGS

Everybody is more or less interested in natural
history'and few intelligent people can help feeling
special interest in the collection OF animals be-
longing TO the Smithsonian Institution to be found
In nttle frame structure fitted up with cages in
the rear OF the Smithsonian building. This col
lection Is specially interesting because 1t contains
representatives OF American animals or species
Ihat are Ia great danger OF soon passing forever
Out OF the number OF living things When a re-
porter OF The STAR entered the little frame build
ing one day this week he was struck with the
neatness OF everything about the embryo 800"
Inc Feeding OF the animals, which was just CON-
mehclng, proved very Interesting. The 1rst ones
10 De attended TO were the barred owls, just one
month Old When the keeper approached the cage
the owls set up loud screening, discordant
welcome 10 the keeper and the breakfast lie
brought with him. The food consisted OF small
olts OF raw meat, having the hair and bone intact
Ihe reason We feed them on food having the
mar ana bone with It," he said ais because it is an
absolute requisite TO their well being, and when
led with meat without these necessary adJuncts
they soon TALL away and de-"
What becomes OF the pones?" Queried The STAR
man. Are they igested?"
That's the runny part OF IT." answered the
keeper. TO certain degree the gastric juice
plays most important part. After three or four
hours the bones are disgorged In the shape OF
small pellets"
Aiter the owls had been satisfied, the next in
turn 10 De fed were the partr1dges. They are
located alongside the owl cage and attract great
Zeal of attention In one cage the partridges are
uOineSllc0Jtu, ana through the shock OF WnedL
tnat STANDS upright In the cage nine snowy white
eggs can be seen. The familiar whistle OF '.Bob
white" frequently reSOunds through the building,
reminding one Of cool, shady groves and wooded
Pastures.
TEE CARRIER PIGEONS.
The famous carrier pigeons Liberty and Min
strel," came next. Mrs Libertyis now very busily
engaged In hatching full minstrel troop But by
lar the most Interesting OF the bird collection Is
the carrier pigeon Frank, who occupies the same
cage. lie was Matched In Baltimore and there
hIlf tod
from his FIRST love, ana contents himself with
visit once "a week To his mate In Baltimore, never
men, and Is needed at the Museum the next day.
tiny band OF metal encirc.e5 one or the legs OF
the bird with the letter FL" stamped upon IL. This
pigeon when II is very young, 20 distinguish IL
rom an Old bird and wnen the foot develops the
Olnd ushtenS, and can't be taken of without
cutting It,
Turning to the right The STAR man confronts
trio OF black bears whose once shiny coats have
been worn threadOare by constant contact with
tht cage Ihey are very tame and enjoy having
their heads scratched. Here, indeed, one could
nnger Tor hours watching their interesting antics.
Ihey are residents OF South Carolina and Texas.
respectively, and bear the significant Southern
names OF StOnewan Jackson, Bob Lee and Gen.
Btaury. They are most happy family, and never
ueht, except at meal time, when an opportunity
Il seldom LOST.
JAGUAR AND PRAIRIE DOGS.
TO the right beautiful 1dguar, with his spotted
coat, was pacing restlessly up and down the mar
now confines OF his cage. lie is a very Intelligent
animal, and knows no master out his attendant.
When he appears the JaguarS face seems To
DTl5uten up, his eyes dance, and he gives evidence
In every way OF being highly pleased. lie Is not
very IerOclOus and stands In mortal terror OF a
oro0nlstick. lie was captured when q cub by Il
gentleman in the Cove nment Printing Oliice and
gwen 10 friend IN Texas, by whom he was pre-
sented TO the Smithsonian. Ills capturer has lust
learned that his protege was In TOW n, and VIII re-
new his acquaintance 1T an early day, feeling sure
That they VIII Instantly recognize each other and
become last friends.
a crowd OF ladies and gentlemen at a low cage in
the nrtAer emo OF the room attracted the repor-
tefS attention, anu on approaching the sharp lit
Tie bark told told plainly Iuat the occupants were
prairie dogs. The little fellows are o. a grayish
white anu seeIn 10 be quite cOntentej. They have
regularly formed burrows made IN the pot ON OF he
cage, which Is covered by earth TO the depth OF :,
let Inc attendant On coming Up gave u peculiar
whistle. Instantly several little heads appeared
at the openings, anu took survey OF the sur
rOuhdIngs. One little fellow more daring than his
companions ran TO the Keeper and placed himself
In position 10 nave his head scratched, which was
done TO the enjoyment OF tbs spectators and the
apparent pleasure VI the little fellow.
MONKEY AND 'PossUMs.
Near by monkey Was seen having good time
with poor little 'possuIn, with whom he was
Gagged. He would hug the 'possum until it would cry
out, and then drag IL around the fioor until tired
OF the iun There are two other possumS In the
cage, but they are Older, and the monkey knows
from perienee that his antics Will not be Ioler-
ated by them.
''That monkey, said the keeper, 'is a great ac-
QUESTION 10 our collection. lie not only amJSes
every body, but keeps his eye on the boys and an
umbrella or cane poked into any OF the cages
WITHIN VII us gnt Is Tue signal Tor shri cry from
lin, warning us OF the liberty taken Some days
days ago." continued the Ike per, II was attracted
oy MS peculiar antics. Taxing something in his
lIoht paws ne would smell 1t and then tuck it
away behind the possums. This action was re-
pedted several times 1 determined 10 investigate
the matter and see what IL was he was hdluy so
Carefully. Accordingly i Went behind tn. cage
anu opened the door. There found that Old var
sihi. kthat tie name OF one Of the possulns) had
inter O1 young ones, and Jocko mad been anus
lag himself Dy taxing them out Of the pocket
pouch IN which she carries them when travelling
aud lucklng Them away again. Further investI-
sallOh uiocVsed Inc Iact tndI he had been utiliZ-
ing this pouch as d stOrehouSe and several OF the
young pOSSuEs had died an ignominiouS death by
being buried awe VITA meat ana crackers Come
this way," 1t continued, .'and take a look at the
old lady. In moment they stopped DrIo e a
large cage having shelf running its entire
attracted their attention, and at the sound nine or
ten tiny rat-iihe LOOKING creatures Scrambled
poklns their Tiny heads out looked at the reporter
IN a very knowing way, as though deIylng cap
tUre.
TRIO OF VIRGINIA BUzzARDs
perched upon dead limb in a cage, some distance
from the rest OF the animals. looked ON the scene
with little interest, and seemed on the alert for
something 10 eat.
Tn foxes, with their cunning eyes and sharp
noses were ia a cage near The door. They are very
tame, and viii readily take candy from the hands
OF visitors
Near the foxes a couple OF American badgers.
from Salt Lake City, attract no little interest
1Aey are Beautifully MARKED, but keep TO them
selves and don't MAKE friends.
CINNAMON BEAR.
Next 10 the badgers, the great favorite OF the
collection, Jim. the Cinnamon bear, Will be found
jim was brought here when quite a cub and has
the faculty VI making friends IN an incredibly
snort Time. AItnOugn scarcely over a year old
the Wise look he gives one when approaching hi,
cage makes hin appear much older.
A coy OJe Ii chained TO staple lust opposite
jim, ana seems 10 enjoy his new abode although
VISITORS are somewhat averse TO peJtiDg him Ieay-
Ing their crtsses for the beautiful squirrels that
pIance ana IisA over dead limb in cage near
by.
The bufaloes were next visited. Their house
nOw In the course OF completion, is lust south ol
Jne west Wing % the building. A large crowd was
adlnlrlng The recent arrivals from the West One
Oh negro touched the reporter on the shoulder
and Inquired, SIS dem Texas catIle?"
On either side or the buffalo house deer could he
seen, apparently having al excellent meal on the
hlgh clover all around. A close Inspection showed
that they were staAed cut, and that their moye-
mentS We're checked II they went Too far by sIout
deer Is that II loves raw meat, and while the re-
porter was watching him Two pounds OF raw steak
vanished
HOW THE zoo oRIGISArED.
The taxidermist and superintendent OF the col
lection, Mr.. W. /. Hornady, was found studying
the antics Of mountain lion In the animal build
ing when asked now the collection was begun
ne SAID: 'IRe Idea originated by Studies we taxi
some specimens. We found that the live anirnal