Arizona republican., 1892-03-08
AT THE LONDON zoo.
HOW THE CHILDREN ENJOY THEM
 SELVES ON A SATURDAY.

NO udy IS HlOr6 dnlEldIeu ut tn6 LOn- don Geological gardens than Saturday, when the children appear in full force, marshaled by papas and mammas, who are doubtless glad enough to visit the scene of their own early "larks," but who try to look as if they came only as guides and guardians. The little peo- pie begin to appear early in the forenoon, some of them bringing lunch basket, wherein may be found not only their own bread and butter but biscuit and buns for feeding the animals.
 Those who are to take their monday meal in the refreshment room, how ever, need not be destitute of provender for their four footed acquaintances; a bun may always be bought for a penny, and biscuit are abundant on many a convenient counter.
 First comes the preliminary ramble, and then skurry back to the fish house, where at 12 o'clock the diving birds are fed. A large glass tank of clear water occupies one end of the room, and into this precisely at noon an attendant throws q handful of tiny fish, few of them still living, Then the side of an adjoining cago is removed, and down plunge the penguins to seize their prey.
 It must be confessed that their table manners are not fine. They literally gobble fish after fish, and then hurl themselves about in the water. evidently delighted with their bath,
 Another bird-a slender, graceful creature. familiarly called a "darter'- is admitted alone to the tank, and his motions in eating his fish dinner are wonderful to see. He sweeps through the water like an arrow, and impaling each fish upon his bill lifts his head. and in some mysterious and lightning like manner catches the victim and swallows it.
 THE RIDE ON THE ELEPHANTS.
 Later in the afternoon the pelicans are fed in the little yard where they strut solemnly all day long. A small pond occupies it's center, and into this bits of fish are thrown, in search of which the birds rush pell mell, covering the water with confusion of gigantic waving wings. AS the attendant approaches to carry out this pleasing ceremony, the birds awaken from their drowsy calm, and it is sight not soon to be forgotten if one can watch a stately old pelican lift his wings and begin an awkward curveting in token of his joy.
 In the bear pit, deep and well lighted inclosure. dwell two bears, who are un- wieldy with the fatness produced by many buns. They have been so per sistently fed by visitors that when ono looks over the railing his bearship calm ly rises, holds out two entreating fore paws and sits in pleased anticipation of a feast.
 He catches bits of bun in his mouth with the unerring skill given by long practice. and will even climb the pole in the center of the pit, if one will but hold a bun over it suspended from stick.
 "But how will he know l want him to climb?" said little girl, who had just been provided with this plummy bribe.
 "Just hold it near the pole where he can get it." said an attendant, and he'll do the rest He knows as much as We do."
 So, heavily and with much pantin2 the awkward creature mounts his pole, seizes the bun. and desconds to munch it in content.
 The crowning joy of all perhaps for little visitors is that of riding the ele- phants, which, provided with great sad dles, large enough for dozen people, take their load of shrieking. laughing children and go numbering off down the walks, waving their trunks this side and that in the hope of receiving a stray tit bit from the neighboring crowd.
 FEEDING THE LIONS.
 Later in the day comes oAo great event, to which even tho most serious grown person must be interested. At half past 4 the lions are fed! Long before the time visitors begin to pour into the building where, in large cages against the wall, lions, tigers and leop- ards are pacing restlcssly up and down. The creatures themselves need no watches to tell them dinner time is near.
 At the appointed moment man en- ters, pushing barrow of bleeding meat, and wheels it past the cages to the very end of the room. At tho smell and sight pandemonium breaks loose One terrible roar. made by many voices Ill awful concord. fills the place. At the last cage the barrow stops, d bar Is thrown back, and two large pieces of meat are thrown in. The lion seizes them in his paws and lies contentedly down. to gnaw and lick them with the delib- eration of a well fed animal.
 50 the programme goes on, until one voics after another is silcnced and the barrow is empty One very interesting fact is always to be observed Tine animals do not, on receiving their iirst piece of meat, retire to devour it; they wait for the second and then turn away with both held securely in their paws. They have evidently learned how much % expect and can count up to that nunber.
 Indeed the delights of the Zoo arc almost inexaustible to animal loving children. Thero is the monkey house, where those grave, wrinkled, half hu' man creatures sit picking fieas from each other with an air of funny absorp' lion. There is the chimpanzee Sally, who will count five for her keeper by passing bim the requisite number oi straws. and who, at request, will eat wish her fingers, a5 she used to do, and then with fork, as she does now that she is civilized "Queer old Sally,' ..- .,..< l;S.l,, l,o,. .., n tp1 hoDny children