The National tribune., 1900-01-25
The ZOGn |
Wne1Yua1zen{g<1SSF* e
Uncle Sam is a great Snowman.

Uncle Sam is great Snowman.
The location of his menagerie, which is
known as the National Geological Park, is
in the northwest environs of Washington,
and through it runs Rock Creek, the old
time boundary between Georgetown and
Washington in the days when the former
was a thriving metropolis, and the latter a
Struggling village of half-built public
structures and streets of mud lined with
alder bushes. This park is wooded, and the
creek makes deep valley, which runs
through the central portion of it, 1t is over
1853 acres in extent, and thus is by far the
largest geological park in the world.
The Zoo, as it is known in Washington,
is one of the new institutions of the city. 1t
started few years ago in the back yard of
the Smithsonian Institution, and its treas
ureS consisted of a buffalo or two from the
remnants of the Yellowstone Park herd
About eight Years ago, however, Congress
was induced to purchase this tract of land
on Rock Creek and start upon the collection
of Specimes of animals and birds for public
exhibition.
Our statesmen We're very niggardly at
first in the matter of money for the accumu
1ation of attractions, it being supposed by
most Congressman that Yellowstone Park
would furnish all the necessary contribu
tonS in the way of wild and strange crea-
lures for the park. OF course, during the
past eight Years there has been a good deal
OF advancement from this position until now
the park, although still feebly supported, is
much mere in favor with the Committee on
Appropriations than formerly. There i'll
cfin
for the purchase of specimens, and
the animals are expected to be con-
tributed by friends abroad and
brought home free of charge by ~
American warshipS, or to be do N
mated by patriotic Americans who "
are willing to contribute to the
collection.
The product of the Zoo is now also con-
siderable source,o revenue, as the Superin-
tendent annually has for market new crop
OF lions, pumas, llamas, wolves, etc, which
are exchanged with other establishments
for their surplus.
Owing to the changeable character Of
Washington climate, where Winter some
times comes in a day, Uncle Sam has to be
at all times ready with both Summer and
Winter quarters for his menager;e and for a
quick transfer from the outside to indoors.
A couple of weeks ago the exceptionally
mild Winter was suddenly broken by .
furry of snow and cold snap which at
once changed the aspect of things in the
park. In fact as the result of day and a
night storm the Zoo had to be put into Winter
quarters in a twinkling. The creek froze
up and the sea lions who had barked away
the Summer in the big pool above the dam
We're hustled into the seal house. The
pellcans. blue and white, mandarin ducks,
the cranes and herons and other members
OF the outdoor aviary were likewise brought
up to the upper house. where artificial pools
were provided inside for those who insist
upon aquatic habits. Of course, the
wolves, foxes, buffalo, elk, deer, antelope
and llamas, as well as various other hardy
families that do not mind the cold, were
not changed. What was a strange sight to
visitors occurred when the doors of the car
nivora house were thrown open and the
lions and tigers were allowed to take a run
In their yards in the snowstorm in the
middle of the day. They seemed to be beside
themselves with delight, and rolled and
romped like kittens on carpet.
The buffaloes stood around as though
nothing had happened that was extra
ordinary, and even the calf of six weeks cid.
who is shown in the picture. took it for
ranted that fbic u,ac