The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-11-11
Estimated That 5000 People
Went Out to AvOndale
Park Yesterday.
EVERYONE ADMIRES
FIRST SPECIMENS
Improvements viii Now Go Ahead
Rapidly and Additions VIII Be
Constantly Made to City's
Collection

Approximately 5000 persons. the
great and the near great. the man OF
wealth and the man without so mucn
wealth, visited Avondale park yester-
day to see the beginning of what will
be a great exhibition of animals
A day unrivalled for the gorgeous
ness of its sunshine smiled benign
henediction upon Jones valley yester-
day and the zoo of Birmingham was
started with the entire approval of
nature. From the early morning. ac-
oordng to James Williamson, super
intendent of parks. until the gathering
of dusk, the park was crowded with
visitors. Young and old, big and lit
tie, ricn and poor, exhibited the same
keen interest In the beginning of the
ZOO and the exhibits there shown.
No man could look upon the happy
faces of the children out there and
witness their interest and enthusiasm
without being impressed with the im-
portance of filling this long-felt want.
President Smith on Hand
President Frank w. Smith and Mrs.
Smith were visitors TO the zoo yes
terday and were both enthusiastic over
the exhibit first made. He said the
beginning was the most auspicious
that could have been desired President
smith was enthusiastic over the
lthrongs that visited the park and sug-
gested that If the same interest held
out Birmin CHAM would soon have a
tremendous collection of animals at
AvondaIe park Mrs. Smith said THE
start is perfectly grand"
With faces pressed against the wire
fencing that held within a limited area
the llamas, the sacred COW of India
and the deer, eager inquiries were ad-
dressed to Dada" and Mamma" by
keen youngsters of Birmingham. The
frlslxy llamas with their expressive
eyes seemed bashful and modest under
the gaze of the multitude of visitors.
The sacred COW lowed with possible
courtesy over the interest that her
auadruped companions created among
the people.
Pheasants Are Aristocratic
The most aristocratic exhibit is the
pheasants which I'LL three especially
erected cages. They are near the pa
vilion and from a plumage standpoint
they have all the millinery stocks Of
Birmingham backed off the boards
my how / would love that feather
said an exquisite blonde to her equally
as pleasant brunette friend. She was
gazing wistfully at the plumage of
golden pheasant
ION a Knox sailor wouldn't that
brown feather look lovely" exclaimed
another lovely creature. 'in smart
tailored suit as the society editor
would put IL.
The pheasants truly made them gaze
long and hungrily. OF all the beau
tiful birds that have ever been seen
in Birmingham, and Birmingham
boasts of considerable number OF
birds" the cages at Avondale en-
compass the premiers.
Jimmie" Has His Troubles
II had a ween time of IT," said Jim
mic Williamson. II built fence to keep
'em from tearing the cages up and
soaring the wee brides. The Riddles
scared them and would ye believe II,
they flew around until one fell. and
| thought il was dead. Hoot mon,"
Mr.. Williamson proceeded even on
the Sabbath day to build a fence
around the bird cages to keep the adj
rnirlng throngs back to a safe dis
lance and even then the pressure
against the fence was almost to a
breaking point.
President Frank Smith said that ef-
forts would be made during the week
to paint the fences surrounding TIE
cages, clean up the walks around the
.1I. oxh &c In
shape. Additions Will also be made
TO the collection.
Park Commissioner Hugh Martin.
who is deeply interested in the zoo,
was at Avondale yesterday was
Park Commissioner N. b. Stack of Wy
lam and other we'll known citizens.
They were higly pleased with the gen
eral result of the first day of the Biz
Iningham zoo.