The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-04-08
BY PAUL COOK.

back riders have been training steadily
for some time. They devote a large part
Of each day to the work The men vino
turn sumersaults are paid the highest
salaries, since that is one Of The most
difficult and most dangerous Of all the
feats done by the bareback riders.
What are termed the "manegee or high
school horses were put through their
PAGES Yesterday. These horses are the
artists of the equine performers. They
waltze. do cakewalks, execute fancy
steps, kneel, and do other acts that
demonstrate great intelligence. Eques
trian Director Berrs was a busy man,
looking after the various horses and their
riders. A drill executed by all the riders
on foot was done in the ring to acustom
them TO the maneuVers they will make
on horseback after the grand entry
The elephant trainer next brought IN his
ponderous pets for few minutes of drill.
The pachyderms walked over the PRO
fesser,a and one took the mans head in
his mouth, after which he had bore the
trainer out in his trunk All the time the
spectators were observing the perform
ance with every evidence of keen delight
In other parts of the show quarters
aerialists, tight-wire walkers and per-
formers of various kinds were hard at
work The tight-wire walkers were train
ing in a room, whore there was plenty Of
straw. The wire was stretched taut only
| a few feet above the ground, they
don't take any risks when training.
Scattered about over the grounds were
newly painted wagons and a great va
riety Of circus paraphernalla including
the apparatus for "leaping the gap" a
thrilling feat that will be made a free ex-
hibition just before each performance be-
gins.
A visit to the animal quarters was next
in order. The animals are all In the pink
Of condition and some fine specimens are
TO be seen. The lions are especially
handsome, beiHg big, fine looking fello s..
A baby lion is a lively youngster and
full of mischief. If the truth must be
told lie has a nasty disposition and whips
about in his cage far more viciously than
the grown lions. He escaped not long
ago. but. was soon recaptured A peecary
Is the most amiable member OF the mem
agerie at present. This South American
quadruped will let the trainer squeeze his
muzzle with bare hands and conducts
himself IN a way 10 make many friends.
The hyenas are the least prepossessing
of the lot. They are despicable brutes
and inspire instructive dstrust They
will take the soundest beating without
raising their heads TO see who is doing
the thrashing
The monkeys are most Entertaining men,
hers of the animal department Great
care has to be exercised in housing them
for the winter, as they are extremely sus-
eeptible to pneumonia and consumption
the bane Of monkey life in captivity. The
show has lost quite a number of monkeys
this winter, despite the most considerate
treatment. The open air cure is now
being successfully tried and is found to
be efficacious in preventing pulmonary
complaints. All tho monkeys with the
Cole show are amiable, except one crusty
old chap who want stand any frivolity
ON the part of visitors. The camels looked
rather rusty after winter of inforced
idleness and sloth, but the coekatoos were
| extremely neat and extend their beauti-
full crests as II anxious to please. Feed
ing time is exciting in the animal house
The lions roar and leap about In their
cages with blood-thirsty fury until the