The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-07
THE zoo IN SDOWTINE
How the Various Birds and AMI
mails Are Cared For.
The Bill of Fnrc Increased During
the winter-Many Specimens Hous-
ed and Kept Warm-Thc sixty
Young Boa Constructors Thriving.
GamboIs OF Lions and Their Cubs.

and fowls and fishes live; what they eat.
and how they are cared for during the
spring. summer, and autumn. But when
winter has come. and the earth is fast in
the Frost Kings embrace. what then of
the dwellers in the Zoo?
In the first place, the aspect of the park
in its entirety is changed. A transforma-
tion has been wrought. Where were
sunshine and genial warmth. flowers and
green grass, the song of happy birds. and
ripping OF merry brooks, are now grey
clouds and frosty air. dead leaves and
hardened turf.
The Zoo at all times is most picturesque.
and in the cold season nothing of this is
lost. 1t is. on the contrary. enhanced. Snow
covers the hills and dales, and the beauti-
full evergreens stand out in striking con-
trast to the dazzling white all around.
About half way down the board walk
leading from the entrance to the animals
quarters proper, enc may see just to the
right of the walk, in an enclosure OF about
an acre in area, two Canadian moose, as
large almost as COWS. These animals are
much priced by hunters Of large game and
in the State of Maine there are many oil
them. They sometimes become dangerous
when wounded. The two at the Eco have
been there only two months, so this IS their
first winter in Washington. They will not
suffer. however, for nature has proNioeo
them with skins heavy enough TO DEFY Tue
terrific cold of Canada and northern Maine,
and doubtless they will believe they nave
been sent on a Southern trip. sure enough
Their keeper says he feeds them primer
pally on oats. which they greedily deFour'
bottom of the bucket.
At the back of the enclosure is q COM
Portable retiring house, as l. is calieu'
into which the moose go at night, or LOT
that matter whenever they choose. IRIS
house is well built, and at night is provid-
ed with a goodly quantity of hay.
lust above the moose is a beautiful deer
from India, known as the Axis He
very much resembles the lawn OF inc
American deer being spotted. Wnen seen
he was sportiveiy jumping about in his
enclosure. and seemed to be unmindful OF
the snow. notwithstanding that he comes
from a very warm region. The pretty
axis has a substantial shelter for nights
and stormy weather. and. like his moose
neighbors, is otherwise well cared for our
Ing the winter months.
The Bnrbnry sheep.
In close proximity to the axis is the
great shaggy Barbary sheep. whose habi-
tat is the arid slopes of Southern Africa.
He has probably become acclimated, for he
may be seen walking about in the snow,
trying to find a bunch of grass. Then
comes the Yak, a native OF Chinese TIBET,
who looks very much as If he were related
to the buffalo. He has large. shaggy
head. which has an odd appearance. pro-
nf hnICn
one would not think. to look at the yak.
that he could possibly get cold, so thick
seems his coat OF hair, but he is rarely
seen out of his house. save when he spies
the keeper coming with his dinner.
The camels. those faithful beasts of the
merchants of Araby together with the ze-
bra, are enclosed within large wire fence;
they have perhaps the most tastefully built
house in the Zoo. These natives Of hot
country usually stick pretty closely to their
quarters unless the sun is shining bright
ly. when they come out and stand SO as TO
receive the full benefit of the warm rays,
while they are protected from the wind by
the sides of their building The keepers
take especially good care Of the carnels.
and see that they are well fed at night
and their beds filled with hay.
There are many raccoons at the Zoo,
those ring tailed animals sung Of by
Southern poets, and chased by the white
and colored youth of Dixie Land. There
is no doubt whatever that the coons in the
Zoo look, most longingly. TO the wooded
hills beyond, well knowing there must be
succulent persimmons in abundance. But.
sad to relate captivity must be the lot OF
these cu.nfeld raiders. and the only per-
simmons they may feed on will be those
thrown them by some Target hearted small
boy. The raccoons spend the day prin-
cipally In the branches OF the large dead
tree placed tbere for their use, and on a
cold day may be seen in punches all tied
up in the forks of two or more branches.
They look cold but they have very tough
skins. At night they seek the hollow OF an
immense log, which is partially filed with
straw. and thither they retire after a sup
per of raw sweet potatoes and shelled corn.
"Dunls'' in Warm Quarters.
Dunk" the large elephant of the Zoo,
and the cynosure OF all little folks eyes,
is comfortably housed in large ROOM
wherein stove is kept going constantly.
The doors are tightly closed. and the bit
ing winter winds find no entrance there |
Hay is the regular diet of Dunk" and of 1
this he is given an ample quantity regu- |
larry.
The grizzly bear, in very truth ''Ursus
horribilis," has no change made in his
quarters, or mode Of living save that he
is provided with good bed Of hay and is
fed little oftener. This monster, with
his long. sharp claws. was captured in
the Businesses OF the Yellowstone Park. a
country where the mercury falls far below
zero at this season, and where the Snow
lies in gigantic mounds and drifts until
spring. The climate Of Washington, there
fore, Ia not very severe upon The grizzly,
and be Is simply given greater amount OF |
food that his supply of fat may not de- |
crease.
Near the bears there are several pan- |
theirs, whose native home is Colorado |
They, too. laugh at the cold and snow, and |
may be seen restlessly pacing up and down |
their cages, pausing anon to look for the |
Keeper and his welcome burden of raw
beef. sight that will make one SILVER
is an animal plunging about In a small
tank adjoining his cage. which is In the
open air. 1t Is the beaver. and he enjoys
his cold bath immensely. II Is nothing new
10 him These busy workers may be seen
breaking through the ice In the streams Of
the far West, and making their huts more
secure.
The Seals and Sea Lions
The seals and sea lions OF course, spend
the winter in the ponds provided for them.
They require little extra attention, and. I'm
common with the other animals, are fed
more. that they may take on greater
amount of fat which enables them to get
through the cold season more success
fully.
Two animals that have been provided
with winter quarters are large elk and
buffalo. and this Is probably because they
are getting along In years. for the main
herds of buffalo and elk roam at will over