Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-06-27
MARVELLOUS ANIMALS.
Their Acts I'm RInGIinG Brothers' Circus
Almost Surpasses the Possible.

Almost SurpasseB the Possible.
The trained animal exhibition in
Ringling Brothers circus is one of
the wonderful features that scpar-
ates this great show from all others.
In their big program of circus sensa-
tons, animals of almost every kind
and from every cline are shown. not
only to have sense, but capacity for
education truly marvellous. Lions,
bears. ZebraS. ell<s. seals. horses. dogs.
and many other species, act with an
almost human understanding. and
demonstrate in Il variety of odd and
entertaining ways that they are en-
dowed with something more than in
stinct. The qnick intelligence of the
horse is beautifully Illustrated. To
see squadrons of the handsome beasts
with this great show drill, dance.
speed and even act, is a fascinating
isight. All the performing horses are
thorOughbreds and perfect types from
illustrious ancestry. No show in the
world has oue-half as many valuable
horses as the Ringing Brothers carry
and use i'll their unrivaled shows.
There are more than $50 animals in
this remarkable equine collection. No
other show has half this number.
But the beautiful horses are not the
only attraction among the perform
ing animals. Think of a herd of 40
elephants. The Ringing Brothers
carry this many. Half of these have
been taught to do amazing things.
For instance, play musical instru-
ments correctly dance to lively tunes,
turn acrobatic feats, balance, juggle,
box. and actually act out comedy
scene with humorous spirit. The
ponderous beasts move fast, and work
with relish None of the usually plod-
ding, so unpleasantly evident in other
exhibitions of this kind, is required
by the Ringing Brothers performing
herd. Herr Souder, the most success
full trainer of elephants in the world,
is in charge of this immense herd,
and to him is due great credit for
teaching the bulky brutes the won
derful things they do. \ real baby
elephant. born in Ringling Brothers
winter quarters last January. is the
pride and pet of the menagerie. 1t is
called Baby Boo and stands no high
er than its mothers knee. This is
the first baby elephant bred, born and
reared in captivity, and is the greatest
animal curiosity ever seen in this
country. The baby elephant with |
which the public is familiar is always
three or four years old when it ar
rives in America, and generally half |
the size of a full grown elephant. This
wee mite of wild animal is a sight of |
a lifetime, and by long odds the |
greatest attraction ever offered by a
circus managerie. Capt. Webb's act
ing seals are another extraordinary
feature. They are divided into two
big troups and perform upon two big |
stages at the same time. The seal is |
claimed to be the most intelligent of !
all wild animals. This theory is con-
firmed by the amazing performances
of the seal actors with Ringing Bros.
great shows. 1t is impossible to pro-
perly appreciate the charm and as
of this feature without |
seeing the performance. Human or
ders are promptly translated into
and surprising action by the |
odd sea creatures, which yelp and |
the while like kennel of |
hunting dogs. Capt. Webb is
the originator of this speciality with |
trained seals, and the efforts of others |
to initiate his work have been black |
failures. Bears, zebras, dogs, monk |
eys, ponies and savage jungle beasts |
are taught to do the bidding of train |