The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-08-12
MYSTERIES MAY KILL
THIS LAUGHING BIRD
Bill Snyder, Central Park, New
York, Zoo Keeper, Worried
by Plight of Specimen.

days now the laughing jacksss has
laughed immoderately. and Bill Snyder.
head keeper of the zoo in Central Park.
appointed a committee to discover who
or what had so tremendously stirred the
birds sense of humor.
Pep" Is one of a pair that have
long been one of the attractions in the
Park. They occupy the cage with some
OF the smaller birds. but their jovial
dispositions and merry penchant for
playing practical jokes at each others
expense have caused the small boy and
sirl to linger longer in front Of their
home than before any Of the other cages
Pat Keenan,. veteran keeper OF the
park. entered the biIL house the other
day. and as he approached the cage OF
the laughing jackasses he gave his
customary chirp of welcome. One of
the birds chirpcd n greeting In return
and hoped close to the bars in antict-
patton of some tidbits from its friend.
But Pep" regarded Keenan, solemnlE
for second. then a twinkle appeared
in his eye. and he threw back his head
and began laughing uproariously. He
has been laughing ever since.
Voices His Anxiety.
In recounting the news of the week
to his friends gathered in the hay
house Snyder gave voice to his anxi-
ETY. as to whether harm might come to
Pep because of his prolonged and
apparently uncomfortable fit OF laugh
coursed on birds in general and the
laughing jackasses in particular. Opin-
Ions differed as to just what was the
matter with Pep" and why he should
II have consulted other. ornitholo-
g1sts and I have looked through the
books. said Bill, but l do not learn
of another case In which laughing
jackass became hysterical
zone ornithologist told me of a crow
that developed fits Of laughter. and
from my assistant. Bob Hurton. l
learn that once. in a circus with which
he travelled. laughing. hyena was so
tickled by the antics Of clown that
he couldn't eat for a week"
Hurton repeated his story or the
laughing hyena and Robert Copeland
the park policeman. told OF station
smirking. sarcastic grin, but none
could account for the way Pep was
cutting up. In no uncertain language
Keenan, denied that his appearance
when he entered the bird house was
such as would cause a self-respecting
bird to forget his dignity and good
manners. He said he resented the in
sinuatioin of the head keeper that the
bird was laughing at him.
Blames 1t On Pat.
''I don't say that" Snyder hastened
to remark. But. Pat, the fact re-
mains that the first record we have OF
the overindulgence in laughter on the
part of Pep was when you arrived
and chirped good morning"
Perhaps" ventured Keeper Cum.
mings, pat did not chirp a greeting
but Instead he started the bird to laugh
ing with one Of his droll Irish stories"
that the mystery might be cleared up
Snyder appointed Hurton. Cunningham
and Crowley committee to investigate
and report at the playhouse meeting
next Sunday afternoon.
Before leaving the park for the nigh
Snyder visited the birdhouse. As h,
peeped through the door Pep emitted
vociferous "Ha -ha!' and rolled abou
the opposite side Of the cage his mat,
and all the other small birds regarded
him darkly, as though they thorough,
disapproved of such levity.
f be sd n0 snM sssh saul quite he all tn
literally laugh himself to death. Their,
are brief intervals in which he sits nm,
regards the world. as seen through tn,
bars OF his cage. as glumly as an Inder
taker. These moods are short-lived
Suddenly he will resume his laughter, I,
the CONSERVATION of all the other in
habitants of the birdhouse.
Color Affects Him.
Color. Bill Snyder thinks. AFFECT
Pops" moods. Experiments In thi
direction We're confined to watching tn,
bird Ss visitors in bright attire passe,
before his cage. Red made him laugl
sarcastically. like a stage villain. an,
blue gave a mournful tone to his mirth
but brown and purple threw him int,
outbursts Of bubbling. hearty enjoy
ment.
When It was first noticed that pen
was going on to use the Language
OF Keenan's official report. Snyder di,
not treat the matter seriously. Now
however. Pep has to be taken seri
ously for his own good. Unless tn
bird gets out Of his hysterical state h
may break his neck or die of hear
failure.
Anyway. "Pep's" predicament is n
laughing matter to the others at tn
zoo.