The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-06

peutes Decrease in the summer.
The student Of animal life Will end in
all probability. no better field for the
study Of animal character than is pre-
scented in the Zoo at feeding time. The
meat-eatlng animals, or carnivora. are
fed but once daily. Their meal hour is at
half past 1 o'clock in the afternoon.
while the rodents. which comprise nearly
all the rest Of the residents OF the mag
niicent menagerie. receive their allow
ance Of fruit. vegetables. grain. hay, etc,
twiee-once at 10 o'clock in the morn
ing and again at O'Clock in the after
noon.
The snakes are most irregular IN
they are liable to go to sleep for three
months or So
The carnivora receive from eight to
fourteen pounds Of beef every day. with
the exception Of Sunday. when a fast is
made, as it is found their health is better
when this rule is observed. Fifteen hun
bred pounds OF meat are consumed weekly
ties of fruit. vegetables, hay. and oats
great part Of the hay is obtained on
the grounds Of the park which also fur
nishes the rats mice, and chipmonks
on which the snakes are fed. Each ami
NAL knows its meal time. although vari-
Gus degrees OF impatience is manifested
by the individuals.
While some openly manifest their
Impotence by the peculiar cries with
which nature has furnished them.
others again do not give such strong
vent to their feelings and sometimes one
will be seen quietly sleeping. dreaming per-
haps Of its wild life in the jungle. and
needless Of its present condition. That the
animals remember and fondly long for
their free condition no one who watches
the carnivoTa that have been captured wild
can doubt. Most Of these exhibit a clearly
defined contempt Of the food which Is
quietly showed into their den by the OBJ
noxiOus keeper, and il is not hard TO see
that the latter would furnish a much more
acceptable meal. The quality Of food sup
piled is. however. of a very delectable de-
scription. and might well excite the long
ing Of the hungry human being.
With the exception Of the hay and oats
which is furnished in regular quantities
to the elephants. camels etc. and the
rats and mice which furnish the menu OF
the snakes, there is nothing distributed
among the denizens Of the Zoo which Is
not retailed over the counter Of the butcher
and the produce dealer. The beef used is
what is known as chuck or neck meat. and
costs generally 71-2 cents per pound The
neck is used because the bone which it
contains compels the animals TO chew the
meat. which would be "bOltedF or gulped
down whole il there were no bones in 1t.
The eagles and other birds Of prey re-
eeive regular rations Of meat at the sans
time that the carnivora are fed. They ex-
hibit greater voracity than the nercest
quadruped.
The young boas, the Zoos late It additi,n
to the reptile family. can eat mi with
great ease and despatch. while the larger
constructors occupy themselves with rats
and rabbits. sometimes to the number cf
half dozen to the individual. There is
a noticeable decrease inthe appetite Of the
animals especially the carnIvor1. during
the summer about two pounds less being
given to them during the VAIN weather.
The vegetables most in demand among
the Zoos population are potatoes and car
rOts; apples and bananas are the most
popular fruits. About aeveuty-five pounds
OF bread day are distributed among the
birds. bears. monkeys. and elephant. ard.
contrary 10 runner. he CsiricL does not
live on glass bottles AMI Old ir1n. and
while a pronounced vegetarian. .Nhibits a
distinctly dainty taste. About $50
pounds Of hay and mashed oats are con-
sumed among the elk deer. antelope buf-
faloes. camels, and other Illuminating AMI
mails.
Many Of the daintiest things he ami
mails receive. however. are given hem by
visitors. and bushels of apples and nuts
and hundreds OF pounds Of rales and can-
dies are brought by children. who take
the greatest delight in witnessing the
many queer methods by which nature has
provided that~the different ;pecies should
dispose Of their food
The monkeys afford perhaps the most
attractive feeders and are the recipients
occasionally. of some cruel jokes. Cases
have been known where Jacko has in good
faith accepted a number Of nuts from a
deceptive giver who stored in reserve one
which contained a large modicum Of red
pepper There is considerable subtlety IN
this plan as the monkey is by nature sus-
piciOus and examines closely the gift OF
a stranger before swallowing IT, The willy
visitor. however knows just at what stage
Jacko reaches a blind and cheerful conf
dence. and then the thing Is sprung. The
hideous grimmaces and frantic actions OF
the unfortunate monkey afford the heart
less visitor corresponding delight. which is
intensified when the former. who is a bad
at least in his then condition.
makes for the nearest monkey and proceeds
to take it out on that innocent individ
ual and a general fight on the wherever
you see a. head hit-it' principle ensues. At
this stage the keeper arrives and demands
to know who has been teasing the ami
mails and in all probability he remains IN
as the bystanders are geuer-
ally too thankful for the amusement az
forded them to betray the prime mover
in the transaction.