Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-14
SCENES AT THE zoo
Rare Sport of the Snow-Loving
Inmates.
SEALS AND BEARS RBVEL IN BLISS
Animals From TropicaI Chimes Kept
Within Warm Enclosures.
HUBBUB in EAGLE CAGE

One would hardly select the Zoo, away
out in the Rock Creek hills, the objective
point of a jaunting trip at this particular
time. Nevertheless. no more interesting
place could be found in a days journey.
There are few lovers of nature and the
beast who are wiling to sacrifice self-com-
fort TO witness the rare enjoyment of many
of the animals whose habitat is out-of-doors,
and who revel in cold and snowy weather,
and 50 there has been an occasional visitor
at the park during the past week.
\ dreary waste of drifted snow, the Zoo
this morning presents a scene seldom be-
held outside a picture frame-the elaborate
fancy of some imaginative artist. The great
trees. stripped Of every semblance of foli-
age white on the northern side with driven
snow. stand gaunt and still, their boughs
resting peacefully and at ease after the
hurricane of yesterday, which deprived the
old princes of the forest of many twigs and
small branches. The ground is binding
white, GIistcninG beneath the rays of the
heautifu Sprnglike sun. Not a green thing
is to be seen over the magnificent land
scane. the snow in many places being piled
as high a mans head. The surface Is
immaculate. One readily recognizes and
appreciates the smile of purity to the I'M
tainted snow when gazing upon such Won
dcrful eXpanse Of whiteness.
Lends Animation.
The call OF a pea fowl and the dismal
"caw-caw'' of thousands of crows gives ami
nation to the scene and brings one to the
realization that life is mixed with nature
in making up the beautiful picture. Down
in the deep hollow. where the swift stream
runs UnfrOzen. the geese quack merrily and
the sea lion gruntS with satisfaction. ON
the hi lsides red REWARD friSkS about in
delight. the wolves bark in glee, while the
an
expression of supreme Contentment upon
their canine conferences. The tracks in
the snow made by the faithful keepers who
distribute food to the petted animals leads
the way to the various departments of the
Zoo which hold out interest to the cold
weather visitor
In the animal houses. the main building,
where are confined all classes of beasts,
from the roaring lion down to the grimac-
ing monkey. and the warmer antelope
house, where the daintier little fellows of
tropical climates are made to feel at home,
the temperature is kept at I6 degrees-sum-
CT heat. The animals here fare beauti-
fully and not one grunt of complaint was
heard by The Star reporter in his rounds.
True the monkey declared he wanted no
"Cpen-doOr' policy in that establishment
when the newspaper man entered the place
rather leisurely aid did not make any
great haste in shutting out the wintry
blasts An old reprobate of green polly
declared in a loud voice to his companions
he had caught a glimpse of the Internal re-
gions through the door. and it was frozen
over" There were no ladies present. how
ever and the parrot called the regions in
question by their most popular name
If it were not for this information there
would have been dense ignorance in indoor
animal circles regarding the conditions in
the outside world. The animal houses are
cozy and comfortable. and there are doubt
less many destitute persons in the city to-
day who would have eagerly grasped the
opportunity of resting for "a day with
in h. oil
Tie lions and tigers, the jaguar, the Loop
ard and all the larger animals of tropical
chimes were either doing away in entire
satisfaction or pacing their cages nonchal-
antly The monkeys chartered away and
played frolc in their usual interesting fash
ion. while their noisy neighbors, the par
rots, gossiped over the latest scandals in
the animal colony of the capital city, like
50 many old spinsters
Lonely Old Dunk
The lonely Old elephant, Dunk" re-
manned closely in his abode, for around the
doors of his little mansion the snow had
drifted to the depth of many feet. 1t was
with the animals who live in the woods and
woodland Enclosures the most interesting
and amusing incidents were TO be found.
The buffalo was reminded very forcibly of
his days on the western plain, when he
waded through high-piled drifts, fairly
hiding him from the remainder of the herd.
Through Sunday and Monday the old bison
blowing snow made his face a pure white
the effect being quite grotesque. His very
soul seemed filled with delight.
The two great black bears mother and
cub. were out in the deep snow practically
all of the while The matronly bruin would
playfully Knock her timid offspring head
over heels into deep drift and then
merTily turn a somersault herself, appar-
emily enjoying to the utmost the discom-
future of the little fellow in extricating him
self from the snow pile. Mother bear would
fOndle and cOddle boy bear and wallow him
in the feecy stuff continuously. Their
antics were amusing and entertaining to
witness and would hold the attention of
anyone. The grizzly, strangely enough,
skulked indoors. contenting himself with an
occasional glimpse Of the snow storm His
play ground was in the possession of a
large flock of snOW-birds who had gathered
there to enjoy gOodly portion of the
feast intended for the bear-a pretty pic
ture of the triumph of the birds over the
beast.
All Exhibit Pleasure.
The wolf pen was one of animation
These Cassius-appearing animals, famed in
nursery story, were barking briskly wag-
ging their tails gaily and fawning The
snow seemed to please them nightly The
fox was frisking about in merry mood,
and the st. Bernard and Esqumaux dogs,
as stated fairly reveled in the snow an
experience seldom enjoyed by them In their
southern home here.
The seals. whose pond had been drained
to avoid freezing, were Tapping about in
the snow, some lying upon their backs and
throwing snow upon themselves with their
ms, intent upon securing all the pleasure
possible from the arctic condition of things
The old sea lion gave vent to cultural eX-
pressions of delight when one of the keep
ers broke the ice In the lake and allowed
the old fellow to take a chilly plunge
In coon hollow only one of the south
eIn products braved the weather. He
roasted high in the tree, doing away in
great fashion. The other members of his
family were ensconced cozily in their log
home. Occasionally they would stick their
noses out to take a general view of things
only to retire again to the warm interior
Numberless crows were in the coon in
closure devouring the grain provided for
the rightful occupants of the premises The
cOOns preferred warmth of log to food and
a conflict with the crows thrown in The
woods in the neighborhood of the Zoo are
| fairly alive with these crows driven there
| in search of food.
Eagles in Convention.
| The captivated eagles were holding a
| convention in their large cage. Two power
| full fellows of the typical American type.
| the baid-head, We're sitting as presiding
| officers, while the others flew about from
| nlaPa Ill