The times., 1897-05-24
SUNDAY WITH TIE ANIMALS
Pleasures of a Tour in the Zoos
Winding Pathways.
Lions, Bears and Birds That Enter
tain Citizens and Strangers Alike
in the Beautiful suburb.

AT TINS season OF tne year ouc VI eHt
most. if not the greatest, popular Sunday
resorts in and around Washington is the
National Geological Park When one has
spent an afternoonin this picturesque spot
and seen all of its natural beauty, he can
then understand. and not until then, the
attraction it has for the hundreds Of peo-
pie who visit 1t every day.
Here are to be found cool and restful
shades, nature in allits rugged glory, walks
which entwine themselves in every diree
ton, now crossing a rapid running stream,
tumbiing over the ragged rocks, again be-
meath the dense shades of oyerhangins
trees, leading again to the houses OF the
animals, the chief attractions of the Zoo.
In this paradise of nature are gathered
specimens of every kind Of animals and
reptiles found on this continent at the
present day.
AT the very entrance of the park, almost
concealed by the overhanging rocks, are
the bear pits, containing many varieties
of Bruin - Here the large grizzly, with
his heavy frame, crossing and recrossing
his narrow confines, seemingly waiting
for an opportunity to escape. The other
captivity, probably preferring this exist
ence with its peanuts and cakes, to the
uncertainty of forest life.
After crossing Rock Greek and ascend
ing short hill, one arrives at the main
animal house, with its pandemontum of
yells and shreks AS if to guard the
weaker animals located here, cages with
lions, tigers and four leopards surround
the quarters. After passing these un-
willing sentineis, the visitor enters the
main hall, where his gaze meets a large
boa-constrictor, very sleepy Cerebus
indeed. To the sightseer from the North,
the alligators prove most interesting with
their clothes-pin jaws and bullet eyes.
Among the most recent additions to the
main collection are two West India seals
brought from the waters of the Gulf Of
Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. These
water dogs are said TO be the first now IN
captivity, and the park is TO be congratu-
lated on securing such splendid specimens
of fast disappearing race. Probably the
most interesting of all animals to the chill
dren as well as TO those of mature years.
are the monkeys. After watching them
it does not take much temptation to be-
lieve, from their very human mannerisns,
in the Darwinian theory There in corner
sits the old father. looking around in his
solemn and complacent manner, and ap-
pearing very much disgruntled when one
of the younger generation gives his tail
a tweek in play.
Passing on one encounters the horror
inspiring snakes, their forked tongues
playing like chain lightning, is very apt
to inspire visitors with desire to turn
attention 10 the gaily plumaged parrots.
yelling and shrieking On every ConceiN-
able occasion. 1t has been said by one
OF the keepers that 10 enter this house by
night Is TO feel cold chills at every turn.
Every creature in the building capable
OF so doing, sets up a fearful howl, and
their green eyes shine like rlistenng balls
of fire and give the intruder a very
significant unwelcome.
The animals In the outhouses are not
&c he neglected i'm description OF the
Zoo. They are one of the most interest
ing features Scattered in every direc-
ton are cages, sheds, pits, etc, and in
them rare and valuable specimens Here
in his solitary dwelling is the barred owl
looking as solemn as a judge, while his
near neighbor, the stately raven, brings
Poe saw seated upon the paIlid bust of
Pallas To the right is the sleeping ground
nog, resting as contentedly as prosper
Gus real estate agent Then there is the
red tailed hawk, With his sharp, cruel
eyes and nervous actions, reminding one
OF q baffIed felon. And the great horned
owls with their profound gravity bearing
a close resemblance to the grim hunor
of barn storming comic opera star.
a little way beyond the black bears
were enjoying themselves In the lazy and
contented manner which says palmer than
all else that summer is here" Then, by
crossing the road, the elephant house is
reached. Here is that grand old fellow
Dunk and his mate, Little Golddust''
who, the keepers say, is the most dangerous
animal in the Zoo. Across the way is the
ostrich farm with one solitary bird stalk
ing up and down like O grim sentinel who
must turn neither to the right nor left.
Thep the raccoons, the elks, with their
velvet-covered antlers; the deers, the buf-
faloes, the lamas, the badgers, the beau
bful specimens of domesticated dogs and
hounds, spending their lives peacefully
within sight OF the cowardly coyotes and
wolves And amidst this tribe, the very
picture of dissatisfaction, sits the solid
hoofed hog, wondering what it all means.
And so the visitor goes from cage to cage,
meeting new and interesting subjects at
every hand and when he finally leaves ne
has probably not seen half of the 500
animals in the enclosure, has probably not
been over tenth of the f64 beautiful
acres of land constituting the park, yet
he comes away happy with his sojourn with
nature.