Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-01
SUNDAY AT THE zoo.
Schenley Park Menagerie in the Fifth
Avenue Market House.
THE BUZzARD AND THE Rash COON
Crowds of Young and Old Flock to the
Aggregation, Which is
ON EXHIBITION BUT SIX DAYsA WEEK

Schenley Parks collection of beasts and
birds, now doing time at the old Fifth Ave-
nue Market House, enjoyed more peace and
quiet yesterday than they have known since
the doors we're thrown omen to the public
some ten days ago. Superintendent Nc
Knight, with an eye open to the moral cui-
ture of his constantly increasing family OF
attractions, has started in with determina-
tion to confine the sightseeing strictly to
week days, but whether he will be able to
retain this rule remains to be seen. There
were hundreds of applicants yesterday who
were turned away and who lett the doors
with feelings of regret.
TIE collection has now assumed such pro-
portions that it affords many attractive
features for all the children. and many
grown people, and the headquarters have
many of the ear marks of first-class men,
agerie. The attendance since the opening
has been something remarkable, and it has
been constantly on the increase.
MIMICs OF HUMANITY.
The monkey family is quite well repre-
sented, three or four species having been
obtained, and their grotesque mugs and
quaint actions are full of interest tor the
little ones. Side by side with them is
quartet of monkey-faced owls brought from
South America, and they are said to be
rather rare specimens for this section of the
universe. In this same department is
pair OF beautiful and delicate grayhounds.
and couple of gorgeous hued parrots that
keep up constant chattering.
Tn he ioip fa t,a
found the black bear, fat, sleek good
natured fellow, full of play; the elephant,
still somewhat disfgured by his long jour
ney; two splcldid specimens Of mountain
sheep, deer, as clean of limb and as sound
Of body as ever roamed the fields and forests,
and last, but not least, three rough-coated
donkevs, with ears on them like Goldfish and
voices that even give the bear pain every
time they tune up for short season of song.
In third room are to be found a number
OF entertaining customers. Least attractive
is a trio of turkey buzzards. Their heads
consist chiefly of beak and eyes, but their
digestive powers are simply wonderful.
LIKE THEIR MEAT HIGH.
Meat that would be rejected at a schindery
as too ancient for use suits the buzzards bet
ter than fresh tenderloin or porterhouse
steaks. II by chance they find any of their
provender too fresh for immediate use, they
simply breathe on it two or three times and
then calmly await the certain change. Thus
they are prepared to lace any emergency.
Next to these scayengers, but with an air.
tight partition between them. is family of
seven as handsome coons as ever peeped out
of cage. The original number was eight,
but one of them in a fit of temper bit one of
the buzzards the other day and died. He
passed away without pain, however, being
unconscious from the time he opened his
mouth to do the bird injury until death
claimed him. The partition was put in that
same afternoon.
Next to the coons comes cage containing
a red fox and wolf. Then follows the
eagle, a family of six red foxes, a cage of
splendid horned owls, the kind that steal
chickens and make side dishes of rabbits,
rats, mice, quail and pheasants; cage of
hawks and a crate of guinea pigs and prairie
dogs. The entire lot enjoys theabest of
health, and when feeding time comes around
they lay hold of everything offered to them
with evident relish.
AS starter, Superintendent Meningitis
aggregation must be pronounced success,
and the time will no doubt come when it
will be on. of the foremost attractions of the
magnificent park.