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

The opportunity Of having a friendly ac-
quaintauce with the most feroci0us four
footed deuizeus of the earth. the most
poisonous reptiles and the most elusive
of the festhered tribe is afforded only 10
the citizens Of a country which has reach
ed that high stage Of opulence and cul-
ture that will give 10 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 il may be confidently
expected that the National 70 logical
Park in Washington in point Of location
and extent can compare f8vlrably With
any other Institution OF a like character
N the world. and may iu course of time
outshiue all others in the rarity and mag
uitude OF its COLLECTIONS.
The Zoo has already become one Of
the most popular features Of Wash
ingtons outdoor life and taeIe are
perhaps few residents of this city who
have not enjoyed at least one sight OF
its attractions.
Some people there are according 10
Headkeeper Blackburn 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 al the park
Should The slightest change be made in
the arrangement Of the dens or cages. OF
should there be new arrival the keeper
is called upon by these people for a 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 /
patrisrchs Of the Zoo still lives and lour- /
ishes. though showing evident signs Of |
age This is the cinnamon bear Jim /
which arrived from the Nellowst tone Park 1
in the fan Of 1887. and was allotted quar-
tiers in the grounds of the National Mu- 4
The Yellowstone Park by he way. has
been d valuable source Of supply for the
Zoo. furnishing the greater part OF the
representative animals Of this country.
The latest addition 10 the bear houses. |
however. comes from no less distinguish
ed a donor than Admiral Dewey. and has
not reconciled himself vet, so the keeper
says. TO q state Of confinement
The bears are the frs- animals one sees
II he enters by the old gate 81 the east
eud Of the Park but since THE establish
ment Of the electric car line the mo pop
ular entrance is from he west. Upon this
side o. the Zoo one notices that gro-esque-
locking animal. the YAK. Which resembles
a black cN with mat or fringe along us
TANKS reaching nearly 10 the ground DO
is native % Tibet. and Is often seen
on apparently iusUrmountshle portions Of
the Himalaya Mountains its marvellous
sure fooieduess belying iis somewhat
clumsy appearance. In this portion are
also seen the elk deer, buffs'C. 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 bufaloes. or American bison. are
among the oldest inhabitants Of the park
and were transferred there from their
quarters in the grounds % he National
J
with great difficulty. as the species. which
was once numbered by millions is now
practically extinct.
Adjacent to the enclosure containing the
buhalos and in marked cort-ast 10 them
in the manner in which they have survived
the depredauors Of the hunter are the
Virginia deer. These splendid animals
owe their prolonged existence probably TO /
their wonderful swiftness OF foot aud /
aF h. fau H..
sired Of an hunters in ;hosa portions OF
the country which they inhahit. but gen
orally manage 10 elude the NEST pracficCd
marksman. Just noticing the graceful
autelopes and the apis. OF Indian sacred
bull with his sleek, grey hide and camel
like hump. one emerEes from the wooded
portion Of the park through which the
path has hitherto been confined. into the
magnificent open area Of the 100. with
Rock Greek murmuring through it, val ey.
and the stone building containing he den
Of the more ferocious animals standing
upon the so nmit OF a gently slor < emil
nence is 81 .sently disclosed 20 view. II is
worth turning aside FOR d moment. however.
from the grsveled drive. with frs wooden
footwsy. 10 take a view of the beavers.
who are The most accomplished architects
IN the geological group
The Home of the beavers.
Their enclosure is situated on a small
tributary OF Rock Greek ard across this
little stream they have constructed dams
Of earth supported by framework which
they erect from wooden sticks thrown into |
their der for that purpose by the keeper
These sticks are carefully selected by the |
beavers and are hewu out boy them into
suitable lengths and the frame o. the dam
erected. This Is then filled in with earth
J.. .Hrr I
bic structure A large tree once stood In |
the beavers den. and was supposed 20 De
safe from their depredaJous owing 20 "a /
thick wire netting which surrounded 80. !
It was found one morning however hale |
cuJ through and he industrious little ami
mails were allowed TO continue their wOrK !
Almost rivalug thc beavers i'm con
ingenuity are The prairie dogs. |
The frs colony OF these little creatures
was established iu the National Museum |
grounds and ID is sill remembered how !
the subterraneau labors Of these euferpris-
ing settlers enabled them TO come 10 the
surface o. the ground several hundred feet /
beyond their lawful territory whereby |
some escaped but upon d reward being |
offered for ,heir capture. .hey were event
ually recovered
where the Elephants live.
The elephant house which occupies a
prominent position was jhc first erection
made in the park. II was constructed an /
the early part Of 1891. the year 10 which
the animals were moved from their for
ner quarters, and was built as d tenn
porsry accommodation for the two elc-
plants 'GCiddust and Dunk" presented /
by the Adam Forepaugh show 10 The Zoo.
These two elephants lived together la the
closest friendship and affection until the I