The Washington herald., 1917-08-06
satan Inv.d.. Zoo.

Old Satan has succeeded In getting
one of his representatives within the
midst of the Rock Creek Park animal
kingdom in the person of Mr.. Tasma-
! nian Devil, who. as often happens out
side of the SOCIOLOGICAL confines, Is
rapidly gaining more popularity than
any of the good little animals. in
cluding the angelic Mr.. Bless Buck,
whose cage house Is under the same
roof with him.
OF course, this four-footed devil is
red, a dark red and, following close
in the footsteps of Old Nick he has
already gained the reputation of being
extremely destructive and savage, 1t
| being his chief delight. according to
those who know him best, to stalk
| about in the night time and lure wan
dering sheep from their folds.
And heat! Why this little devil Just
glories In 1t and during the past week
has been triumphantly gloating over
the discomfort of his law-abiding fur
red associates.
Formed in the usual grotesque man.
her of devils, 1t would prove most
d,fficult to give detailed description
OF the miniature Mephistopheles.
Speaking in broad terms. however. one
mighty safely state he might pose
for a wee rhinoceros or a ground
hog inflated to the tenth degree.
Tasmania" has only been devil
ing about the Zoo here since Mo-
vember 7. 1916.
Bennie Blue Bear Arrives.
Joys the distinction of being the first
- Ii 1t, 20 ha aAe IN, ~
ZOO, elected considerable admiration
yesterday from the hundreds Of Zoo
goers who, taking advantage OF superb
weather, whiled away their time
watching the clever antics of this rare
mon black bear. D.!
"Bennie" has been named Glacier
Bear" and ''Ursus Emmonsii" by
learned biologists. Unsatisfied by
these stiff names, however, 1t only
took the friendly crowds who called
rpon him yesterday very few min
utes to hit upon the more happily
alliterative title "Bennie Blue Bear"
by which, it is expected. he will be
formally baptized Undue time.
"Bennie" has had an extraordinarily
eyentful life. When little more than
cub. ne was stolen from his mothers
lair by Indians and. as he will growl-
ingIy attest, he has endured some
tardships from that time until he was
placed in the Zoo Park here Thurs
day.
"Bennie's'' kind was first made
known to science In 1895 by DR.. w. II.
Dali, of the National Museum. Since
their discovery many attempts have
been made by geological parks to ob-
tain a living specimen, but up to tine
present time without success. Tne
blue bear, in fact, Is one of the rarest
of North American animals in mu-
scum collections and only few per-
feet skins have ever been obtained.
The bringing of "Bennie" to the Ma
tional Capital Zoo by Victor ]. Evans.
of this city, who has before donated
specimens. is a notable addition to
the Washington gayden's collection.
Bison 'Herd, Is Small.
Were a census to be taken Of the
number of American bison in the
world the total would be found as
tonishingly small. Though 1t Is fire.
quently remarked that the bison IS
fast becoming extinct. there is prob
ably little understanding on the part
of the majority as to how soon this
massixe and picturesque animal Oh
pioneer DAYS will vanish.
At the Zoo here will be found two
plain-like allotments given over TO
excellent specimens Of the American
bison. In the first of the cage yards
will be found nine bull and COW bisons
with two Of their young, while in the
other are six adults and one baby
bison.
Located, as they are, on the back
road just beyond the main Connecti-
cut avenue entrance. few parties, ex-
cept autoists. are able to find the boz
vine ruminants which for so long a
period gave an inimitable touch to
early American scenery.
Officials at the Zoologican Gardens
regret this inadvertant isolation, due
to the fact that they must have extra
large yards. and feel that Zoogoers,
especially the younger ones. should
not neglect to avail themselves of an
opportunity of viewing these choice
specimens of bison before they attain
their last rest ''in the happy hunting