Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-20
THE BABIES AT THE ZOO
FAMILY OF ELKs BOASTS LATEST
ADDITION, BORN SUNDAY.
of Hutins Also Increased-The
"BiGgcst Haby" I'm the Block
other Arrivals.

This is season OF congratulations at the
Zoo. Never in the history of the park have
there been so many little visitors to the
captive homes of the animals, and proud
papas and mammas walk about the inclo-
sureS inviting attention to babies of all
ages: very queer-looking babies some of
them are. too.
The very latest arrival is baby elk,
born Sunday. All legs and head the little
fellow has no claim to beauty and grace.
save a beautiful polka dot coat, soft and
downy. the spots snowy white and the re-
mainder OF the coat red tan. The mother
elk guards her little one very closely now,
but in a few days will have him out run
ming about the Enclosure to strengthen his
thin legs.
Another interesting colony that boasts a
very recent acquisition is that of the hutias.
species of edible rat about the size of
the opossum, the largest animal indigenous
to Cuba. The colony recently arrived at
the Zoo and the question of whether they
really belong to the rat family has been in
dispute. The arrival of baby hutfa would
seem to settle the question. however, as the
| little one exactly resembles a rat three
quarters grown, and would delight the eye
of the most fastidious Chinaman. Head
Keeper Blackburn is anxious to see the lit
tie fellow grow up and has isolated the
mother and baby. placing them In a warm
dark room. out of harms way. The baby
hutia appears to be very strong and
healthy. and unless he should come across
some member of the cat family and be mis-
taken for a rat, has fair chance to reach
maturity.
The ni!Sai family. which registers from
Africa and the members of which are cou-
sins of the American antelopes, also boast
an addition. which. according to their
minds, Is the handsomest and cutest baby
in the park. The little fellow has soft
gray coat. but otherwise can lay no more
claim to beauty than his distant cousin, the
baby elk. Master Nigai has passed the
Group and collie stage of babyhood, and is
healthy and lively yOungSter
The InfnntiIc Kangaroo.
Probably the most interesting, if not the
prettiest animal baby in the Zoo is the
young kangaroo, and decidedly it is the
best nursed baby When the mite of a lit
tie one arrived, mamma kangaroo stuffed
him safely away in her pocket, and that
was the la t seen of it for long time. the
outside We Id offering no inducements that
could tempt it from its warm. fur-lined
cradle. Sunday it ventured out into the
bright sunshine for a small space of time,
but timidly sought seclusion at the APP
proach OF the first visitor. The little one
has almost outsrown his pocket home, and
four little feet stick out. all that can be
seen of the baby kangaroo Now that he is
getting to be big boy, mamma kangaroo
is coaXinS him to come out and see the
great world. He will find himself out some
day, and his father will tell him how baby
ish II is to cry for the pocket cradle, and he
VIII sleep outside for the first time and
never again know the home of his extreme
infancy.
OF the big babies there Is score The
little mule deer makes the wind fairly
whistle through his long ears as he uses his
thin legs to sprint away at the approach of
a visitor His timidity is all pretended,
however, and curiosity soon draws him
back. His claim for beauty rests almost
sO,el! in his eyes, a deep liquid brown, and
of Very gentle appearance.
-Four young caribou, of varying ages, have
just arrived at the Zoo from their bleak
Newfoundland home. They seemed to en-
joy the. sunshine Sunday. They are inter-
eSlfng youngsters and very docile.
The two young moose are growing like
young trees. and in the possession of his
first pair of horns young Mr.. Moose pre-
tends to be very fierce. and lowers his head
mcnacingly. A peanut or lump of sugar
transforms him into a gentle and fawning
yCungster, and he will submit to all kinds
of petting. These young moose are very
fine specimens. and are already about the
height of a man. When full grown they
promise to be giants even among their own
family.
The young buffaloes are all very healthy.
bur rather sluggish youngsters. The bull,
in all the glory of his first name and horns,
u a perfect specimen, and promises to be
a monster when grown.
"Biggest Baby" of All.
The biggest baby of all. though, is the
young California condor. This bird, which
is very rare and valuable, belonging to an
almost extinct species. came to the Zoo
short time ago all covered with down and
about the size of young turkey. Now, at
the age Of five months, he has his first
feathers, and when his wings are spread
measures eight feet from tip to tip. In
point of size he would put to shame prize
Thanksgiving turkey.
When fully grown this young condor
promises to be the largest bird in captivity
Superintendent Baker estimates that he will
have a spread of at least fifteen feet from
tip to tip. and eagle will be a small
bird beside him. both to size and
sire myth A lamb would be a light burden
for Jack when he is matured. He is
gentle and playful. and dances around after
his keepers, Hopping his great wings and
bowling his head. His favorite trick is to
slip up and unite the keepers shoe strings
when he is not looking.
The warm sunshine brought one of the
largest crowds of the year out to the Zoo
Sunday. and many of the animals We're
given their last outdoor exercise of the
present season. The babies came in for
their share of attention. and seemed to
enjoy the holiday occasion as much as did
the visitors