The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-07

for winter. These little. sad-eyed Great
ures do not seem to mind the snow, and
the only effect the cold appears TO have
upon them is TO make them more contem-
plative. As one passes their enclosure
they will follow with their soft dark
eyes" until the visitor is lost to view.
The beautiful fishes. whose aquarium is
so attractive to the visitors at the Zoo, ex-
perience no trouble from the cold; the
building where they are domiciled is kept
at temperature that insures them from
being frozen IN severe weather.
I'locis of wild ducks and geese. and
magnificent peafowls walk about, looking
in vain for the little insects that. in sum-
mer, form a part of their menu. Their dis
appointment at not finding them is soft
ened By a liberal allowance of corn and
other grain.
& Biood-Curdiing Concert.
As one approaches the place where are
kept the wolves and foxes, a sound greets
his ear that causes him TO pause for an in
slant. AS the visitor goes nearer TO the
wire enclosures. he sees the gaunt forms OF
white and black wolves, which, thinking
their keeper is about TO feed them, set up
such doleful howl that one feels a mel
The foxes and coyotes join in the chorus.
and, if there be a chicken or lamb within
earshot of that fierce concert, it must be
deaf if it does not make a bee-line for the
nearest farmyard Cold weather and snow
do not worry the wolves and the foxes.
Their home is in the dense forest, where in
winter they glide about silently in quest OF
some fat unsuspecting victim, which, when
caught. is carried to a warm lair and de-
youred. To the old hunter the howl of the
wolf around the camp at night is sweet
music. but in the Zoo, near a large city. it
sounds weird and strange These animals
are provided with comfortable houses and
at night they seek their beds OF straw.
The large house wherein are the lions
tigers, and other beasts of prey, is the Nee
ca for all visitors at the Zoo, in summer
and winter. Here, too. live the snakes, the
monkeys, and the alligators, as well as the
beautiful tropical birds.
This building is kept warm in winter by
means of large furnace and the tempera
ture is never allowed to get below seventy
degrees. The doors and windows are thor
oughly and tightly closed at all times, AID
no drawing room is more coy than this
home of so many jewellers in the Zoo. In
summer the lions and tigers are allowed,
whenever they choose, TO go outside Of their
dens into the open-air cages made especial
ly for them. Their keeper says that some
times in winter they are permitted to have
a romp in the air without, and that they
enjoy ii hugely, even as does the tame
house cat To see the huge king of the
beasts jumping about in the snow, and
rolling over and over is sight to charm
the eye This little outdoor exercise is
great help to the large beasts and Is 4
regular part OF their winter treatment
The two young cubs, born last April, en-
joy this romp exceedingly. They are as
frisky as two kittens.
The only creatures in this building that
are brought in from the outside for the
winter are the while pelicans from Cali
fornia, and the aamingo from Florida:
these birds cannot stand the cold at all,
and must be tenderly cared for.
Sixty Young Bon Constructors.
The sixty young boa constructors. lately
born, are most curious sight; they are
about the size of an ordinary garter snake,
and are all twisted up into grotesque look
ing knots. Should they all live and grow
to maturity, an addition of large dimen-
sion will have to be built for them
The immense tank which holds the alli-
gators is regularly emptied and cleaned.
small place just above. where they lie
until the water is turned on again. This
water is heated by steam pipes, and is rot
allowed to become cold, a temperature OF
about 20 degrees being maintained The
alligators. who are the very quintessence OF
sloth and laziness. never move even so
much as an eyelid, until their tank is re-
filled; then they begin to slowly awake, !
and by degrees crawl to the edge of the
water, and let themselves glide into the
pool below, where they idly float, looking
for all the world like logs. Just above the
tank is a small wire cage. in which are a
lot OF very small alligators who are a
trife more active than the older ones |
The Brazilian tapir also has his warm bath
daily, and to say that he enjoys it is put
ting ii mildly. He will go back into his
cage. and then run and dive into the water
with as much Zest and enjoyment as
school boy on an August day.
Handling Snakes and Monsters.
The king snakes and gila monsters, !
both from warm regions Of Arizona. are.
of course, kept very comfortable. The |
keeper was seen removing these uncouth |
creatures from their cage, in order that the |
latter might be supplied with fresh water. |
He would take the monster by the ne;k. |
and gently lift him out, and though these |
great lizards are poisonous and their bite |
fatal, the keeper seemed not a whit |
frightened. He was thoroughly used to the |
work. The king snakes he would simply |
pick up in punches. and they offered no
resistance. Unlike the gila monster. their |
bite is not fatal.
Another recent addition to the Zoo is the |
comb lizard" a native of Mexico. He |
lives in water part OF the time, but for |
long hours may be seen on rock, his |
head in the air, and as immobie as a !
bronze figure. He is fed with bananas,
and will quietly sit and open his jaws
W hile the keeper puts into his mouth q
piece of the fruit. He gets his name from
Q comb that runs from his head to the tip
Of his tail.
AT about 1870 O'Clock every day the most
iiscordant sounds destroy the peace
and quietude OF this building. 1t is diff
cult to tell whether one is in America,
Asia. or Africa. The terrible roar OF the
ion and tigers the thrilling scream of the
panther. and snarl OF she leopard are min
gled with the chatter of tropical birds,
and parrots, add the screech OF
monkeys. The dinner hour is at hand.
hence the roars and cries of anticipation,
and until the rations have been distribut-
ID there is no peace. The hungry beasts
'prlnB upon the raw meat oheIeu lneH as
( it were living prey. Then all is silent,
ave for the soft and low growlings OF
,ontent and the fearful crunching Of bones,
which give way, like 20 much soft pine
wood. In the powerful jaws OF the natives
4 the jungle.
The head keeper has this to say. gem
rally. upon the animals in winter:
Most OF the North American animals
re allowed to remain outside. and they
re all provided with comfortable retiring
,laces. and at night are literally fed. The
bject is to keep as much fat as possible
non them for then they stand the winter