Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-11-28
WASHINGTON LETTER


Especial Correspondence
Most of the birds that are exhibited
outdoors at the National Geological
park during warm weather have to be
taken into heated buildings for the
! winter. The small singing and bright
/ plumaged birds were transferred Nov.
from large outdoor cages adjoining
the temporary bird house to the interior
cages in the same building. Birds in
the large flying cage, with the excep-
ton of q few which are entirely hardy,
have also been removed to indoor quar-
tiers in the temporary bird house.
These birds, which include pelicans,
cranes, cormorants, herons of various
species, ibis, etc, were caught mostly
one at time by hand and placed in
suitable shifting boxes for the journey
to the bird house. There is always more
or less trouble and delay In catching
some Of the wariest birds, but by care
full management and batting with food
all of the more tender ones were
caught Most of those from the large
flying cage were placed In the cage
which occupies the entire north end of
the bird house. A few, which are ell
Their especially timid or too much given
to annoying other birds, were placed in
smaller separate cages.
An Attractive Exhibit.
The exhibit in the large flying cage
has been one of the most attractive
and successful In the park There are
now about 230 birds in the cage, of
which, however, from so to 100 are
night herons, representing an Originals
stock of ten night herons and tLeIr
progeny since 1902. During the pres
ent season the following birds have
nested In the flying cage: Demoiselle
crane, Egyptian ibis, white ibis, cormo-
rant, snake bird, American aigret and
night heron. The flying cage, which is
15S feet long, 80 feet wide and 50 feet
high, was first occupied by birds in
1902, having been finished in the spring
of that year.
1t Is noticed that the beavers In the
large Enclosure are busily at work re-
pairing their dam so as to maintain a
depth Of water which will insure free
water under the Ice during the winter.
The beavers usually do but little work
here until autumn.
New Rate Law Increases Work.
SO much work has been provided for
the interstate conner e commission
since the new rate law became effec
tive that 1t Is now looking about for
further space and will soon rent about
5000 square feet of additional Office
room IN buildings near its present loca-
ton.
Though the commission now occupies
seven floors and employs $50 people, it
Is constantly adding to its force In TAX
ing up the preparation of special re-
ports provided for last spring Nearly
every day new employees are taken
from the rolls OF the civil service COM
mission.
Plans For New Cathedral
G. +. Bodley, r. A. F. S. A, of Lon
don, who has been engaged by the
dean and chapter of the Episcopal ca
thedral here to prepare preliminary
plans for the new edifice, says that
the style of the cathedral, according to
the express desire of the bishop and
chapter, will be gothic of the four
teenth century style.
Design to Suit the Site.
In America 1t may naturally have
somewhat of the English characteristic
that was IN some respects the most re-
fined and beautiful of all the European
varieties of the style, but the English
architecture was lacking in height, and
there was no reason why any of that
characteristic should be followed on
this occasion, as the site ut Washing
ton demands a lofty. most dignifled
and stately building. In that respect
the European example may we'll be
followed or surpassed, but the site
must be surveyed By architects and
the final design conceived on the spot.
1t would he useless, Indeed It would be
III judged, 10 attempt description of
the probable design, said Mr.. Bodley.
1t must be one to suit the site. In
deed it Is the site that often dictates
the characteristics Of a well considered
building. No statement therefore of the
plan or the leading features OF the
building can be given as yet 1t Is suf-
ficlent to say that 1t Is the intention
Of all concerned to build n grand ca
thedral of that poetic style Of wholly
fresh and new design, while the an
cient beautiful style is preserved.
Public Golf Course.
A public park wifi a public golf
course tennis courts, football grid
irons, baseball diamonds. croquet
grounds and Fairgrounds is to be es-
tabllshed in Rock Creek park. near
Brightwood reservoir.
Work on the golf course will begin
Mt once. The commissioners have Sc
lected a nine hole course, with several
natural hazards. Several artificial
hazards will be constructed, and the
grass and rubbish will be cleared
away.
Water Famine Feared.
Water department officials expressed
fear that shortage will be caused some
time during the coming winter In the
water supply of the District by the
excessive consumption. To make this
shortage of the briefest possible dura-
| ton they are now rushing the work
Of installing meters in private resi-.
| dences.
1t is Gained that the individual Will