The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-25

The opportunity of having a friendly ac-
quaintance with the most ferocious four
footed denizens of the earth, the most
poisonous reptiles. and the most elusive
of the feathered tribe, is afforded only to
the citizens of country which has reach
ed that high stage of opulenee and cul-
ture that will give to its people zoologi-
cal parks and many of them.
In spite of the fact that this Govern
ment has been remiss in providing these
institutions of popular interest and pleas
ure for its citizens. it may be confidently
expected that the National Biological
Park in Washington in point Of location
and extent can compare favorabiy With
any other institution of like character
IN the world, and may in course OF time
outshine all others in the rarity and mag
uitude of its COLLECTIONS.
The Zoo has already become one Of
the most popular features Of Wash
ington's outdoor life, and there are
perhaps few residents of this city who
have not enjoyed at least one sight of
its attractions.
Some people there are, according TO
Headkeeper Blackburn's views, who are
on intimate terms with every creature in
the Zoo. They know the exact location
of each den and when such and such an
animal made its debut at the park.
Should the slightest change be made in
the arrangement of the dens or cages. or
should there be a new arrival, the keeper
is called upon by these people for full
and circumstantial account of the occur
renee.
Many possess complete biographies OF
the older attractions of the Zoo. and can
recall the names of the original stock,
nearly all Of which have died from one
cause or another during the thirteen
years which have elapsed since the first
live animals were collected by the Smith
sonian Institution and located in an en-
closure in the rear of the National Mu-
scum.
The Oldest Inhabitant.
Strange to say. the very first of these
patriarchs of the Zoo still lives and flour
ishes, though showing evident signs of
age This is the cinnamon bear jim, -
which arrived from the Yellowstone Park
in the fall of 1887 and was allotted quar-
tiers in the grounds of the National Mu-
The Yellowstone Park. by the way, has
been valuable source of supply for the
Zoo. furnishing the greater part of the
representative animals of this country
The latest addition to the bear houses.
however. comes from no less distinguish
ed a donor than Admiral Dewey, and has
not reconeiled himself vet, so the keeper
Gays to a state Of confinement.
The bears are the first animals one sees
4
end of the Park. but since the establish
ment of the electric car line the most pop
tlar entrance is from lie west. Upon this
side of the Zoo one noTices that srotesque
looking animal. the yak. which resembles
a black cx with mat or fringe along its
TANKS. reaching nearly to the ground. 1t
is a native Of Tibet, and is often seen
on apparently nsurmountable portions of
the Himalaya Mountains, its marvellous
sure fooiedness belying It's somewhat
clumsy appearance. In this portion are
also seen the elk. deer, buffa.o, and apis,
or sacred bull of India. The collection Of
deer has lately been enlarged by some
specimens from the Philippine Islands
presented by Capt. George F. Chase.
The buffaloes, or American bison. are
among the oldest inhabitants Of the park
and were transferred there from their
quarters in the grounds of the National
with great difficulty, as the species which |
WAS once numbered by millions, is now
practically extinct.
Adjacent to the enclosure containing the !
buffalos. and in marked contrast 10 them
in the manner in which they have survived
the depredations Of the hunter. are the
Virginia deer. These splendid animals
owe their prolonged existence probably to
their wonderful swiftness of foot and
~ No. l,. 4.
sired Of all hunters in those portions of
the country which they inhabit. but gen
orally manage to elude the NEST practiced
marksman. Just noticing the graceful
antelopes and the apis, or Indian sacred
bull, with his sleek, grey hide and camel
like hump. one emerges from the wooded
portion of the park, through which the
path has hitherto been confined. into the
magnificent open area of the Zoo. with
Rock Greek murmuring through its valley
and the stone building containing the den
of the more ferociOus animals standing
upon the So nmit Of a gently sloping emf
nence il III ssently disclosed 10 view. II is
worth turning aside for a moment. however.
from the graveled drive. with its wooden
footway to take view of the beavers,
who are the most accomplished architects
in the geological group.
The Home of the beavers.
Their enclosure is situated on small
tributary Of Rock Creek. and across this
little stream they have constructed dams
of earth supported by a framework which
they erect from wooden sticks thrown into
their den for that purpose by The keeper
These sticks are carefully selected by the
beavers and are hewn out by them into
suitable lengths and the frame OF the dam
erected. This is then filled in with earth
and the result Is workwanlike and dura
BILE structure A large tree once stood in
the beavers den and was supposed 10 be
safe from their depredations owing to a
thick wire netting which surrounded It.
il was found one morning. however. half
cut through and the industrious little ami
mails were allowed to continue their work
unmolested
Almost riyalng the beavers in con-
structiye ingenuity are the prairie dogs.
The first colony Of these little creatures
was established in the National Museum
grounds. and it is still remembered how
the subterranean labors OF these enterpris-
ing settlers enabled them to come 10 the
surface OF the ground several hundred feet
beyond their lawful territory whereby
some escaped, but upon a reward being
offered for their capture, they were event
ually recovered.
where the Elephants Live.
Tee elephant house which occupies a
promipenI position was the first erection
made in the park. Ii was constructed IN
the early part of 1891, the year in which
the animals were moved from their for
ner quarters, and was built as a tenn
po-aTy accommodation for the two elc-
plants "Golddust'' and Dunk" presented
by the Adam Forepaugh show to the Zoo
These two elephants lived together in the
closest friendshin and affertinr, nntn .hn