The evening times., 1899-03-14
Spring CROWDS
INSPECT TEE zoo
Additions Recently Made to
the Collection.
Fine Specimen of the Ceylonese
Tigress.
All the Animals Wintered Weii-im-
proVemenIs TO BE Made
AT the Park.

With the advent of spring the public has
again commenced to show its interest in
the Zoo.
All day Sunday crowds wended their way
TO the park. The driyeways were also lin
ed with equipages Of all descriptions. Cy-
clists were out in force and the crowd
was further augmented by hundreds of pc
destrians. Children predominated and were
busy the whole day visiting their old
friends OF last summer. Dunk" the big
elephant, held regular levee, and showed
his delight in many ways. great deal
Of the old fellows time was occupied in in-
Producing his young friends to his new
mate. the Duchess who received her lit
tie guests.
The building occupied by the birds was
popular feature of the Zoo.
Birds Sing With Joy.
All the feathered specimens expressed
their delight in merry song at again seeing
their old friends. The cages occupied by
the parrots attracted a crowd of inter
ested spectators All the birds desired 10
talk at once, and so great was the eonfu-
sion that scarcely a word could be caught
by the appreciative audience
A visit TO the other occupants OF the
Zoo showed the same buoyancy of feeling,
and all seemed delighted with the host of
callers. Much of their pleasure was attrib-
uted 10 the fact that they were again on
full ratiOns OF peanuts and other dellca-
cies supplied by an appreciatiye public.
Several new additions have recently been
made to the already splendid collection of
animals The most notable of these is a
beautiful Ceylonese ugress, only Two years
old and Of the most superb markings Her
history IS an interesting one. When only
a cub she. in company with her mother,
was captured by party Of hunters. This
was accomplished only after severe
struggle. in which her mother killed one
of the party and in turn received wound
from which she died in few days he
beautiful animal seems to have forgotten
the past. however. and is now one of the
most afectionate and playful of beasts In
appearance she is a light yellow and is the
embodiment of grace and agility.
Another recent addition TO the Zoo col
lection is a beautiful female leopard, ma
tive of the African coast, who has jus;
celebrated her third birthday This dainty
little animal is said by experts 10 be one
OF the most attractive OF her species ever
brought into captivity. Her body is COW
cred with spGts OF the most beautiful
shade and 10y her kind disposition she has
all eady won the esteem OF her keepers and
tie friendship OF the public.
The Chinese Yak.
A Chinese yak has also been recently
added 10 the collection and was secured
after the greatest difficulty as this species
OF animal is now nearly extinct. In ap-
pearance the animal resembles a diminu-
tive OK. It's body is covered with long
black hair which drags the ground. Its
horns are immense and Will easily measure
four feet from lip 10 tap. AN effort viii b,
made TO secure several additional speci
mems OF this interesting animal for the col
lection. Several Sandman sheep hav,
been added TO he collection and are OBJ
jecis OF great interest. The monkeys are
still occupying the same old stand and
playing TO packed houses Of youthful ad-
miTeIs.
Dr. Frank Baker. Superintendent Of the
Zoo when seen by a Times reporter yes
teTday afternoon said that all Of the ami
mails have stood the winter remarkably
well and thar there have BEEN few ia ali
ties. He further stated thar all of the
animals were delighted al the advent oi
spring This idea OF polar animals liking
cold weather said the doctor, is All
bosh. There is no animal with which
am acquainted that does not prefer warn
10 cold weather. The idea of polar beaI
liking 10 lay on a cake of ice is gotten vi
by shOwmen and fakirs for advertising
purposes and is readily believed by q
credulous public. The animals raised in
the polar regions know nothing of shade
and last summer we had the greatest diff
ficulty in keeping them out of the sun
Any warm day that you may visit the Zoo
you VIII see all of the so-called polar ami
mails lying in the sun in apparent comfort
and contenument.'
Specimens Wanted.
The doctor said that the Zoe was a.
first intended as a home for animals of {
distinctive American origin but that the
greatest difficulty was experienced in Sc
curing them. The Zoo is now very anx-
ious 10 secure specimens of mountain
sheep and Rocky Mountain goats wh:ci
are becoming extinct in this country ant
specimens of which should b. preserved
Moose and caribou are also greatly needeC
in the collection, but as yet DR.. Baker hat
been unable TO secure them.
Many improvements are contemplated al
the Zoo for the near future. The princi.
pal of these will be a parkway from Column
bia Road and Eighteenth Street extending
through the entire park. This is intended
10 be a double track road with speedway
on each side for wheelmen. A row o
trees will be planted in the centre of tn,
drive. thus making il one of the most at
Jractye suburban roads around Washing
ton. The lawns and shruhbery of the par
will also be greatly improved, but ever
effort viii be made to preserve the natura
beauty of the grounds.
On the LIST Of July the new appropriate
for the improvement of the park viii b
available, and in q few years it is believe
that Washington viii have the most at
tractive and complete Geological Park i
the world.