The morning times., 1896-09-23
WINTER HOMES At THE ZOO
Preparations Being Made to
Protect Animals From Cold.
ERECTING NEW QUARTERS
Large and Com Portable Quarters VIII
Re Provided for the habitants Of
the. Park Who Cannot Stand Freez-
ing weather-Collection of Animals
Win Not Be Increased This Season.

Active preparations are being made at
the Geological Park, preparatory to put
ting the birds and animals into Winter
quarters The work is being pushed for
ward as rapidly as possible, i'll order to
protect the animals from the early cold
snap which is feared.
Many of the inmates of the park which
have been suinmering In the open air in
pens and cnges built OH the ground Will
soon have to be removed to warmer places,
and for the accommodations and comfort
OF these. arrangements are being made.
All the cages and pens under cover, which
were used last winter and are still service
able. are being removed, ready 10 receive
their old tenants.
Where the old apartments are found TO
be unserviceable or possibly insecure. new
ones are being built, and in cases where
the accommodations have TO be enlarged
10 such all extent as to preclude the possi-
bility OF their occupying places under the
Game shelter as last year separate quarters
are being erected.
ZEBU FAMILY BUILDING.
The largest OF these new buildings is
the one now under Course of construction
a little TO the southwest of the main build
ing. 1t isa large and substantial structure.
built partly OF wood and partly Of concrete.
The concrete rises to a height Of five or
six feet, the remainder being heavy pine.
This building is intended for the winter
quarters of the family of Zebu cattle, which
was added to the Zoo collection last spring.
The Zebu, four iD number, are natives of
India The family was increased about
six weeks ago by Il bull calf. which, since
its arrival is the center OF attraction FOR
all visitors to the park. His mother, though
quite tame and apparently harmless, par
ticularly within a safe enclosure, hOvers
IaI, tl-ifh IA "a rp n IfflES
daggers at all who approach.
Another and still later arrival, which Is
dividing attention and admiration from
visitors to the park with the little Zcbu,
is a young llama. II is only-u little over
two weeks old, but since its birth has seen
and been seen by nearly every one who
has made tour OF the park.
OSTRICH is THRIVING.
The young ostrich donated by Mr.. Ed
Schmidt. OF Twelfth street, is also much
admired by visitors. 1t will be remembered
that this bird was Matched in an incubator
on Twelfth street last June, and at the
time il was CHECKED stood about ten inches
In height and weighed nearly eighteen
ounces. Since then its growth has been
very rapid, and now it stands about three
ana one-nalf feet high and weighs more
than sixty pounds.
The leopards, the lions, the wolves, and
whose absence will be regretted by visitors.
1t is one of the lion cubs. When maturing
II was found to be deforIned, and was
ordered to be killed Its brother, however,
Is doing well and is already beginning To
assume the dignity and magnificence of
forest king.
1t is not at all likely that attractions at
the park will be increased this winter by
the addition of animals from abroad.
Usually quite nuniberof the finestanimals
from small circus meuageries are sent
TO the park To hibernate. Up to the present
time however, no information has been
received which would justify the belief
that such will be the case this season.
The improvements which are being made
Mt the park, though, will more than repay
the visitor in comfort for what is lost by
the absence OF an extra tiger or bear.
CONSTRUCTING NEW WALKS.
Tic Old board walk, that led by
circuitous route from the Chevy Chase
road entrance to the main building, is
being removed and will be rebuilt over
a more direct route. In front of the main
building a new walk is being made, which
Will obyiate the necessity of the visitor
of walking all the way around to the west
side.
Possibly the greatest improvement and
accommodation to the public, especially
the riding or driving visitors, is the
building or the new driveway on the east
side OF the park The entrance to the
park grounds VIII be made from the Co
lumbia road, and skirting the eastern por-
ton of the grounds south of Supt. Bakers
office will run west to the prairie dogs
pens, along the seal pounds, past the man
building to the exit at the east.