The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-10-28

of New Yorks first chief Justice, Jonn
Jay, which Mr. Van Norden purchased
about year ago, home for the valuable
animals is being planned by Architect
Frank Rookie. Everything that will con-
| form to the habitat and necessities of the
animals will be installed for their health
and comfort. There will be a large pad
dock, with a drinking pool in the center.
| All the buildings will be steam-heated
and the temperature regulated hourly.
Will Be Used for Experiment.
Mr. Van Norden's love of fine stock is
not the motive for his purchase of the
| zebras. He secured them for purely scien-
tiic experimental purposes. Carrying out
the theories of w. Ewart, professor of
natural history in Edinburgh university,
he will try to substantiate certain theories
of heredity.
The zebras are the most perfectly
striped ever seen in this country; of pur-
est white with glossy black bands in un-
! broken lines covering the entire body.
| The common zebras seen in circus parades
and menageries, in contrast to the blue
| blooded species, are of a yellowish brown,
| with broken bands of black. extending
| only part way around the body, with lit
| tie or no markings on the legs and head.
Professor Ewart contends that the prod
uct of a horse and a zebra will resemble
in color some distinct common ancestor,
! and neither of the natural parents.
| Inc specimen Mr. Van Norden secured
| from Abyssinia is as rare an advent in
! this country as a South Sea islander
| would be in the North Pole. 1t has long
| been coveted by the management of zoo
logical collections all over the world. DR..
Hornaday. of the Bronx geological gar
dens has long wished to add one or more
to their growing collection of rare exhib-
it's. 1t was only procured after an expe-
dition, sent out by Hagenbach, OF Ham
burg, had spent some months in dilgent
search and perilous adventure.
Hard to Capture.
Because of it's secluded haunts, often
! times in the most dangerous mountain
! heights. and because of it's cunning, swift
ness and agility, it is one of the most diff
| ficult animals to capture. 1t is the largest
! and handsomest of the species, and more
over is said to be almost extinct.
For this reason, Mr.. Van Norden will
experiment in raising some in this coun-
/ try, and although he has not promised,
| he may bring joy to the hearts or the
| ~" collectors, who have been longing to
possess so great an animal rarity
Mr. Van Norden's Zebras are mere babes,
being only six years old, and as frisky as
young colts. for, as Mr.. Van Norden ex-
| planned yesterday. the life of a zebra Is
! more than twice that of a horse, the age
| of fifty years frequently being attained.
! The animals were kept by Hagenback in
| Hamburg for a few months to domesticate
! them. and Mr. Van Norden has been
| sured that they are harness-broken Mr..
| Van Norden is one of the few rich men OF
! New York who do not go in for automo-
biles. He prefers good horses, but his
| love for driving has not yet influenced him
| to risk his life behind a harnessed pair
| of frisky zebras.
The zebras captured by the Hagenback
| expedition have been divided between Mr..
I Van Norden and the Duke of Bedford.
The latter received four choice specimens.
not rise I'D a better citizen for the read
/ ing of them who does not rise up with
a more earnest desire to do his part in
| solving American problems Alright.
| zone of the great reasons | like what
| he has written is that after reading 1t l
1 rise up with the purpose of being a bet
| ter man, a man who is bound to strive to
| do what is in him for the cause of de-
cency, and for the cause of righteous
| ness.
| .'Presidents may come and Presidents
| NAV go. but Uncle Rernus stays put"
| In the table of contests of the .maga-
| zine each month will be found names
| that are familiar in art and letters. To
| print fiction of the best sort is one of
| the plans. A serial by Mr.. Harris will
| be begun in the first Issue. 1t Is in a
new vein, but has all of the old charm
and delicacy of treatment.