Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-25
SAFELY HOUSED AT zoo
ANIMALS PRESENTED TO PRESS
DENT BY EMPEROR MENELIK.
Shipped From Abyssinia to New York,
Thence to Washington, Arriv-
ing Last Night.

After many trials and fluctuations the
animals presented to President Roosevelt
by the doughty Emperor Menelik of Abyss
sinia arrived in Washington yesterday
evening and are now domiciled at the Ma
tional Geological Park. where they are re-
garded as valuable acquisitions. The gift
of Menelik includes Grevy zebra, lion
ess. two ostriches and two balloons.
Up to the time of their arrival in New
York about a week ago the life of these
specimens of the animal kingdom of north-
ern Africa was one of storm and woe. The
passage across the Atlantic was most UNI
comfortable for them. All suffered alike,
and they were sorry looking lot when
they reached New York. A few days with
firm, stable footing. however, soon re.
juvenated the animals, and when they
rived here last evening all, except the os-
trlches, looked as fit as they must have
looked on their native soil
Head Keeper Baker of the Zoo is of the
opinion that the plucking season must have
occurred before these vast birds were
shipped from Africa. 1t certainly was for
them, at least. for the poor birds have
teen Invested of every shred of their plum
age, and look for all the world like long
legged Thanksgiving turkeys dressed and
ready for the roasting pan. The birds were
IN good condition physically, however. and
1t Is stated that in a short time they will
again show the brilliant plumage of their
species.
Transferred Without Difficulty.
The transfer of the animals from New
York to this city was accomplished with
out difficulty or hitch. They were securely
packed In crates and placed in an extra
express car attached to the train which
arrived here shortly after five o'clock Su.
perintendent Blackburn of the Zoo had
S Seen notihed of the shipment from New
nofk ana when the train pulled into the
oth street depot he was hand with q
force or keepers to receive his new charges
Inc temperature was favorable and the
animals were soon safely housed in their
new nome. They were kept in their crates
during the night. after being placed in the
most convenient house. as il was already
dark when they arrived and the keepers
did not desire to disturb them or the other
animals any more than was necessary
Placed in New Quarters Today.
Inc distribution among the animal houses
was made this morning. The most valuable
OF the lot Is the big zebra. There are very
Few zebras of this species in captivity and
IL is understood there are none in the United
States. The ordinary Burchell or Crawshay
zepras, common In circuses and ZOOS
throughout the country, are different from
the Grevy animal in several particulars
Inc latter Is taller and more slender than
either Of the other species ON the Gravy
amman the stripes are straight I'D and
down over almost the entire length of the
body and extend about the legs On the
other classes the stripes are straight about
cne-thlrd of the length of the body only
and the legs are often plain. The stripes OF
the GreVy are narrower and there are more
Oh them. The specimen presented to the
President by Emperor Menelik is a male
and one of the best of its kind He has
been named Dan" and has been given a
home in the antelope house.
Lioness Has but One Eve.
The Goness is a large, healthy animal.
despite the fact that she has but one eye.
She is about half-grown and is a native Of
the high tablelands of Abyssinia She is re-
garded as an excellent specimen of her type
and has been placed in the house with the
other carnivorous animals where also have
been placed the two babboons. These ami
mails belong to the Gelada species and are
slightly smaller than the average full
grown shepherd dog. They were not In very
good spirits when they arrived last night.
as they feel changes in the Temperatures
keenly and are not disposed to take kindly &
to the cold weather. This morning they APP
peared to feel better after their night i'm IL
warm animal house, and when they were
transferred to their permanent quarters in
the house with the carnivorous animals
they appeared to be well satisfied with their
lot.
The ostriches, as stated are sorry-looking
specimens at present, because of their lack
of plumage. but the keepers at the Zoo
promise that they will be in fine fettle by
spring. They belong to the SomaIi family
and are excellent specimens of their kind.