The Washington times., 1901-12-22

born short time ago. They have an
enclosure to themselves. which Is In IT.
self large park. and possessing. as they
do. plenty of room. they are healthy and
strong.
Two cinnamon bears in a big cage came
to the Zoo by freight several days ago.
and are attracting considerable attention
Just outside the main entrance to the
chief animal house, where their separate
cages have been placed They were cap
tured in the Yellowstone National Park,
aud have consequently belonged to the
Government all their lives. Apparently
| accepting this fact as one not worthy OF
| dispute. they have settled down into a
! state Of calm resignation. as N they had
not been ranging the mountains OF the
| Yellowstone in absolute freedom but n
| few brief months ago.
Game From the National Park.
Among the other animals just received
from the game preserves of the National
Park are FIVE young elk. four antelopes of
the proug-horn variety. and iye mule
deer. All OF them have taken kindly to
captivity and are doing very well in their
new quarters. The different animals are
variously affected by the change in the
weather. and while the bears. especially
the polar bears, are pleased that winter
has come, the tropical animals are not
overjoyed at the prospect of several
months of cold winds, ice, and snow.
Strangely enough, according to the
head keeper. w. II. Blackburn, the lions
10 not suffer so much during cold win
ter as they do in the hot months The
terrific heat OF last summer was espe-
caily hard upon the African kings OF the
forest, who are generally supposed to
thrive test undcr the equator The only
difference which has been made to the
members OF the cat family in captivity
now is that they spend less of their time
ont OF doors. in the outside cages opening
off the inner ones. They now remain out
in the air only part OF the day. and 90
under cover early In the afternoon.
The monkeys, OF which the Zoo now has
only a small number, shiver with the
cold, and the temperature OF the build
ing is kept up high on their account. in
spite Of their number they are still the
most popular attraction at the Zoo. and !
every day the largest crowds are sure to !
be gathered about their cages, watching |
their antics.
The Monkey ms n Poet.
One old grey-haired ape, with a wise. !
wrinkled face, has become possessed OF |
a book of Mother Goose" nursery rhymes,
stolen from some visiting youngster. and
the most comical sight at the park is this i
old following hanging by his tail, pretend
ing to read.
The reporter started friendship with
him the other day by means OF a peanut
in place Of visiting card. and learned
several things. First. the monkey is very
old. and has been at the Zoo for years
Second. he really cen read, but not very
Well lie has fashioned some Of the
rhymes 20 his own liking. although they |
can be still recognized
4 can read this all right" said tho
monkey. with q sad smile, but some-
how. il doesn't sound right Now. what
do you think Of this? It's wrong, know.
but can't help it.
"Old Keeper Gage,
He went to the cage.
To give the poor lion bone.
The lion gave a roar,
That shook the very iloor,
And 50 the peer least got none
Its all wrong, all wrong. I know"
added the monkey but / really can't
help it. It's all can make out of these
hings in the book. They won't come out
light. and try as hard as can to make
hem have some sense. | wish that little
nan-child in the yellow cap hadn't left
he book here. It's a foolish book. Now
What do you make out Of this one. isn't
I ridiculous?
The monkey swung by the elephants
tail
But the caratao don't care:
The hyena laughed till he turned quite p,
pale.
And the coon ran off with the hare
II know there isn't any reason in that" /
aid the monkey, but what an / to do? {
is so mixed up at the Zoo"