The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-11-04
A HUGE MENAGERIE
COMING WITH RINGLING BROTH
 FRS NEXT FRIDAY.
Special Representative Brady Talks of Animals Which VIII Compose Interesting Feature of
 the Clrcus.

First in the tangible list of Ringiing Brothers Circus outfit to hit Mont gomery is the genial James A. Brady. He Is full of talk, has an expansive face like Charles Frohman. but is different from that individual In one respect at least: he once had a photo made. and Charlie. you know. never indulged.
 There Is no feature about the big show coming to Montgomery Novem- Der which causes more interest than the animals.
 Circus animals are as particular about their appearance as human be- ings" said Mir. Brady special repre- sentative. From the 1.-the leopard to the leather -lunged lion there exists a sense of pride that is not more pro- nounced in aristocratic circles. They rise at an early hour and before break- Tasting enjoy a refreshing bath. Un- like the domestic cat, which detests water-from all but an internal point of yiew-the felines. with the excep- tion of the tigers, are always anxious for the morning plunge,
 The lioness usually sociable-unless performing motherly care of her young-will become troublesome if neglected by her keeper. She insists upon being washed thoroughly, and is equally persistent regarding the fiush- ing of her den. After being drenched she will sit for hours sleeking her coat in true animal fashion. Tigers cleanse themselves by rolling in saw dust. which is copiously supplied every morning.
 "Giraffes owing to their susceptibil- ity to lung troubles, are exempt from baths, but receive instead what circus men call a dry cleaning The animal is thoroughly rubbed with flannel cloth-great care being taken not to bruise the flesh. After this, a rubber employed in downward strokes from the animals head to its hoofs.
 Sunday is elephant washday. These big fellows look forward to its com ing with as much anxiety as a kid does the fishing season. Give the lum. bering. good-natured creatures a chance at a stream and you will have your troubles trying to coax them back to land Did you ever ask an animal man why he refused to allow the ele- plants to wade the stream instead of crossing the shaky old bridge? Well. don't do 1t. for you will consider his reply insulting. Mir. Twotail receives all that is coming to him, but 1t is ad- ministered with a fire hose and stiff broom. Twice during the season the big brutes are treated to an oil bath.
  from cracking. The oil is scientifically prepared and applied with 8 large cal- cimine brush.
 "Of the entire Ringling collection there is not an animal the attendants so much delight in scrubbing as they do the mischievous monkey, The poor little fellow despises water. When introduced to the tub his facial express sions are amusing beyond description.
 "The Afrikan yak. which, by the way, is very fIssy. becomes sullen as a spoiled child If neglected by her keeper. The greatest joy of this vain animals life is to have her tresses marcelled and bedecked with ribbon. The polar bear insists on his tub be- ing well filled with shaved ice, while the hippopotamus would never think of submerglng her bulky body in other than tepid water"
 The menagerie presented for inspec. ton and study this year by the Ring ing Brothers is the greatest geological collection ever brought together. As an important department in the big gest show in the world, 1t offers not only features of interest and wonder. but recommends itself pre-eminently as a superior source of study and in- formation. Tn point of size, as well as in rare and exclusive features, it is said to be beyond comparison with any other wild animal collection in Europe and America.
 The giraffes, now almost extinct, is represented by a family of beautiful specimens. The rhinoceros is another feature that cannot be seen with any other show. Explorers say this spe- cies of beast has disappeared. with q solitary exception of the one owned by Ringing Brothers.
 Some idea of the immensity of the menagerie becomes apparent when in- formed that 10S dens and cages are re- ouired to house the animals. The great herd of forty elephants Is a won derful sight and represents twice as many as ever owned by any other show.