Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-25
GEOLOGICAL PARK sUGGEsTIoNs.
Labels for the Cages and InclOxures
and n Home for District Birds.

To the Editor of The Evening Star:
We are all aware how our Zoo has been
stunted in growth by the lack Of appropri-
ations, and how this same monster lack
of appropriations" has been held respon-
sible for nearly all the Ills that the District
Is heir to. Still / doubt whether it can be
fairly charged with the one to which ]
wish to call your attention, viz, the alb
sence of signs. giving names, habitat, ETC.,
to many of the animal houses in our local
menagerie. In passing through the grounds
and buildings just before Christmas 1
counted no less than thirty-two cages and
Enclosures without doorplate, card or other
provision for a proper introduction of the
occupants to their numerous callers. Last
Sunday the conditions were apparently I'M
changed. 1t is generally conceded, l be-
lieve. that properly conducted geological
garden is OF value to the community prn-
cipally from an educational standpoint, and
upon this consideration rests it's equitable
right 10 hold In duress the animals that
constitute 1T. If, then, this value is large
~ diminished by denying to Its dumb in
habitants the power to answer the simple
questions g. that hat ignorance asks of. What
are your What Is your name?" Where
are you from? etc, does 1t not to a con-
siderable degree impair our equities and
lay the exhibition open to a charge Of cru
city to animals? There are many other
reasons why the deniZenS of Zoodom should
have doorplates to their domiciles, not the
least OF which Is the embarrassment OF a
gentle body when called upon to peep into
the window of neighbor whose name and
social position are perforce unknown. Try
1t, gentle reader, before the unmarked resi-
dence of that lately arrived member of a
family to which your own is SO closely re-
lated and tell me when he uncurls his
spidery arms. legs and tail from about his
diminutive body and looks into your face
with a mildly interrogative air, IL you
don't, mentally at least, stammer "-er,-
Mr-er, your name please?" and offer him
your card by way of introduction and apol-
osy? But neither argument nor incident
is necessary to prove my contention. If it
be true, that a museum should consist of
a well arranged system of labels with
samples attached 1T must be admitted that
a menagerie should consist of well ar
ranged selection of animals with labels at
tached-to their houses.
The Zoo has. no doubt, small allowance
for its regular and necessary running eX-
penses. but tin is cheap and 1 have no
doubt there are those among its employees
that can use pencil well enough to make
labels for such of the residents Of the
park as are not up in English as she is
spoke. While on the question I should
like to make suggestion that II it can be
carried out will add largely to the educa-
tional value Of the park. It Is this-adtl
an aviary for birds of the District, summer
residents, winter residents and migrants
and let the children of all ages obtain 4
knowledge of our f1nches, woodpeckers,
thrushes grosbeaks, vireos sparrows etc.
etc. The cost, except for buildings and
cages. would be small. Most of the birds
can be caught within the limits of the Zoo
by it's employees. The aviary may be start
ed in G small way and added to as oppor-
tunity and appropriation will permit.
I understand that the park has on its
staff ONE hunter that is we'll up In the
botany of the Rock creek region. Why
not furnish the tin and the paint and let
him label the trees and shrubs Of the park
SO that we the people, may come to a
knowledge Of the names thereof, both COM
mon and uncommon? Truly, knowledge is
power, and he that maketh it free to the
people shall be called blessed.
HENRY SERVICE.