The morning call., 1893-03-13
WEE ONES WANT 1T
A Larger Playground in
the Park.
improvements That Are Being Made
About Strawberry Hiii-The
Museum.

The children who go to the park ale
going to have bigger playground.
''Good! say score OF small voices; but
how is it going to be made bigger?"
The Park Commissioners hardly know
themselves. but they have a plan.
Immediately to the south of the present
location of the grounds, across the south
drive, is a large valley, extending from near
Stanyan street to the park stables.
1t is proposed to have this entire valley
fitted up in grand style for the uso of the
children.
tunnel will be dug under the south
drive, something on the same plan as the
one recently built under the main drive.
In the valley a large pavilion will be
erected. Swings, spriRgbOards, and all the
necessary adjuncts to make it model
"ehildreu's playground" will be added.
Another proposed change, ard one that
will meet with general approval, is the re-
moval of the museum from its present Stuffy
quarters in The basement of the children's
building.
The Casino seems to be about the proper
place for the museum. 1t could bp fitted up
a historical, geological aud oTnithological
display that would be of some benefit TO our
children.
The improvements in and about the
Strawberry Hill lake are progressing
rapidly.
The advent Of a new donkey in the chill
dren's paddock has created CONSERVATION
among the denure and meek-lookinP
laughing lackasSes." The birds have had
things all their own way of late. and take
especial delight In trying to initiate the
braying of the dOukeys.
But The new arrival has knocked all the
powers Of mimicrY out of the birds. And
IL is no wonder, tor he has brought a
q NJ c L.. arp lNafV,~
buZZsaw and thunderstorm. He actually
brayS so loud that when he finally winds II
up in a wheeling histle he looks astOupded
at the powers OF HE lungs OF one little
donkey. But the birds will sing or rather
laugh 10 more and are now SOOeTeT than
ever. One # them can he seen hopping
around the floor Of his cage with a broken
wing. ben he heard the approach of that
dpnkey's bray he fell headlong from his
perch, a perfect picture Of despair and dis
gust, breaking his wing and otherwise in-
JErng himself.
Billy, the elk. now poses in the ST. bic back
OF the children's playground. Billy is now
relegated to obscurty.
a live elk, of course, is always worth
more than IA dead one, but when the famous
Billy" makes his debut as a disciple OF
taXideFmy he Is bound to attract attention.
The Academy OF Sciences sent its taxider-
mist, w. &. Blunt, 10 the park to assist
Charles Gruber in making Billy presentable
comes the question, where will they put the
stuffed body?
There is no room in the museum. and it Is
a pity to see so noble specimen of his race
consigned 10 the oblivion of 4 park stable
Gruber recommends that he be placed in IL e
center OF tie large room now used as the
restaurant Of the Casino. "Bllly" will look
just as saucy as he always did-his head
turned slightly aside, ready for charge; in
1act, he seems to bid defiance to all Corners
There has been an incipient war in the
avary.
Tne cause Of all the trouble is the cardinal
grosbeak.
A native of the tropical eimes, he is
naturally aggressive. Last Wednesday a
pair Of the red vandaIs found a nest Of the
crested WOnga pigeon of Australia. In the
nest two diminutive Wongas were securely
cuddled when the Cardinal appeared on
the scene. In an instant the pair had dis
patched the young pigeons. The parents of
the youngsters appeared on The scene and
desperate battle ensued, resulting in the
death OF the Wongas. The cardinals will
have TO be taken from the aviary, as they
threaten to destroy all the birds In the
place.