The Washington herald., 1907-04-08
BIRDS IN new HOME
Feathered Residents at Zoo
Object to Moving,
CAT LIVES WITH RACCOONS
Takes Up Residence with Strange
Friends and Acts as Errand Boy.
Useful Because of Ability TO Hur-
die Fence Surrounding Cages.
Herd of Bison Increases,

One hundred birds. large and small |
pretty and homeIy, are minus their regu- !
lar home at the Zoo. The immense cage
that stands near the main entrance to the
park is being reprinted. This is no every
day task, and the birds had to be removed
to other quarters. AS a result. the change
has caused CONSERVATION in Birdviile.
The birds that were moved We're all
winter birds. In other words. they are
hardy and accustomed to cold weather.
Since the change. they have been con-
fined In the bird house, where the CT
naries and other tropical members of the
feathered tribe are kept during the win
ter months. As soon as the aviary has
been repainted from one end TO the other,
inside and out, the winter birds and
about $50 tropical birds will be turned
loose in it for the summer When this is
accomplished there will be more than 200
birds in the cage. which, with the full
grown trees and the little stream of
water. is one OF the sights OF the Zoo.
The excitement when the birds were
being caught caused nothing short of
avian panic. There were squawking,
frantic yells, sharp. piercing chirps, and
various other noises too numerous to men
ton when the bird catchers entered the
immense cage. Some of the men climbed
TO the top Of the trees to keep the birds
from alighting Others were stationed at
different points aloft in the cage. and the
remaining catchers were on the ground
with sacks and nets. Eventually all the
noisy fellows were captured and "toted'
TO their temporary home.
Cat Lives with RaecOOns.
Simply fascinated with the ways. the
habits. and the looks of the raccOons at
the Zoo, an ordinary house cat has taken
up his residence in the cage occupied by
these wild animals. The 'coons have an
old tree, surrounded by a fence, all 10
/ themselves. The 'eoons are not strong on
| the hurdle. and have never been able 10
escape But the hurdle game Is where
the cat shines, and it is an easy matter
/ for Thomas to get in among his friends
I Friends" Is used advisedly, for every
single coon, eight or ten Of them, likes
/ the cat.
! Cats and raccoons are much alike, In
/ that they both like to sleep during the
/ day and prowl at night. Thomas spends
practically all his time in the coon cage.
/ When he goes out, ii is on an errand for
/ one of the 'coons. The cat sleeps along
side hts strange mates, eltiler IN the usS
or in the little shed on the ground. No
one has ever bothered the feline. and he
l has never given Offense to any Of the at
] tendants.
Buffalo Herd Growing.
| Buffalo Bilrs" band Of buffaloes at the
| Zoo is increasing. Several years ago Col.
w. F. Cody loaned twelve bufaloes to
the park authorities. They were placed in
a yard near the main entrance. and have
never been allowed in the pen occupied by
I those which are the property OF the
II Geological Park. Since the loan was made
the herd has had two additions and, &C
cording TO agreement, these two little fel-
lows are TO become the property Of the
park. Part of the Cody herd of buffaloes
Is 10 be taken away shortly. 10 join the
circus Of their owner.