Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-02

stantial and quite capacious apartments. The

stantial and quite capacious apartments. The
middle one of the three is somewhat above the
level of the ground, being reached by a short
and rocky path. This from a bears point Of
view would probably be considered the most
desirable of this row OF apartments. Into
these Mr.. Bruin may retire from the heat Of the
day or the rain and snow of winter and medi-
tate at his ease upon the comforts of life under
a system of protection and supervision. HIber-
nation ought under these circumstances to be-
bear with all the comforts a bear could ask for,
and with none Of the ills that flesh is heir to?
ROCKY MOUNTAIN SHEEP AND DEER.
little farther down, where the rocky face Of
the hill is not quite so precipitous, there is q
point that would seem to be especially adapted
for the mountain sheep, and this may possibly
be placed at their disposal. 1t is at no great
distance from the water. and, in fact, it seems
everywhere as though the creeksruns just about
where it is wanted. The big piece of low land
that is surrounded by the bend in the creek
has been leveled, dressed with fertilizers and
sovn in grass. SO that a stretch Of green sward
will not be lacking in the landscape. The deer
yards are to be placed farther up the stream.
There will be two of these at first, and they are
to be roomy and will take in Just the sort Of
ground the deer likes best. Already the collec-
ton includes a number Of the cervidal and two
more will be added to the herd next week, for
on Monday Mr.. Biackburne is going up the Poto-
mac to Woodmont to get fine pair OF Virginia
deer that have been presented by Mr.. Evans.
1t is hoped, too. that before long two or more
specimens of the heet-footed antelope of the
plains will take their first drink of the waters
of Rock creek. When they have taken their
first drink they will have to stay and take many
another, for fence will be put up around them
SO high that it will be impossible for them to
come down into town to get drink of any
thing else. Mr.. Baker recently had letter
from man in the west who has made q num-
Der of additions to the collection stating that
he thought he would be able to accommodate
probable that the offer will be accepted, for an
telope are not as common as railroad accidents
nowadays.
A PRAIRIE DOG CITY.
On some specially favored spot on this low
ground will be laid off suburban town wherein
subterranean homes will be dug by the citizens
themselves. who will live with more comfort
and convenience than they have ever known
when confined within the more restricted linn
its of the city. Did you ever see a community
Of prairie dogs at home? Well it's Just about
as interesting and curious a set of beings
one often meets with and if you have seen the
little band PLAYING merrlly away in their
little wire cage down in the Smithsonian col
lection 1t will pay you to go out a few weeks
hence to see how much merrier and spright
her they are as they sit basking in the sun
above their funny little holes in the ground,
grinning saucily at you lodging from the
very sight of you The town is to be surrounded
by q wire fence. to keep the rabble out. This
fence will need have foundation, running far
ish, sharp-nosed little doggies from burrow-
ing their way out into the cold, cruel world
and losing themselves from view.
THE PERSISTENT PEocAR1Ea
The collection already embraces four more
anirnala of the sfrooter" CLAN vhosa fenca will
have to be well planted to keep them from
nosing around too much. These are peccaries,
wild hogs Of the southwest, that are about the
most vicious and most dangerous animals
man can ever encounter. Running in big
droves, they ever get man freed they viii
wait patiently at the foot for days until he
drops ont, and then he il lucky if as much as
button or tooth filling is left for purposes of
Identification No funeral services are ever
called for. There are old hunters who say
they would rather meet q panther or q grizzly
any day than . drove OF hungry peccaries.
The four in the collection are considerably
smaller than an ordinary domestic pig and con-
siderably less ferocious, but if it ever comes to
fight to finish between a peccary and the
best Of fighting bulldogs it is Q good plan to
lay all odds in favor of the rooter.
OTHER WILD BEASTS.
The collection that has already been brought
together, soon to be taken out to the park, is
by no means a small one and is q very promis-
ing beginning to say the least. 1t is especially
rich in animals that belong to North America.
Among the most recent acquisitions are a line
big panther and a pretty but treacherous little
ocelot from South America The task of re-
moving this good-siZed nucleus of a menagerie
to its new quarters will be no slight one, and
viii be attended with considerable interest
for those who are not called upon to take an &C
tive part in it.