The Ward County independent., 1921-12-22
FARMERS HAVE NOT RECEIVED
RETURNS ON THEIR POTATOES
Splendid New Animal House Opened
At Riverside Park

Splendid New Animal House Opened
| At Riverside Park
The splendid new animal house has
been completed in Riverside Park and
it was opened to the public Sunday at
IL o'clock 1t will be opened each
day from until O'Clock and on Tues
day and Sunday evenings from to 10.
The house was built to house the
smaller animals of the Zoo, such as
the monkeys and other animals re-
quiring artificial heat during the win
| ter. Fully two-thirds of the ex-
| hibition room will be given over to the
bird exhibit.
! The building is of the Spanish Mis-
sion type and is built of tile covered
with stucco. 1t is practically fire proof
and is heated with steam. The di-
mensions are 40xsO feet over all and
entrance is gained either from the east
or west doors. The ladies' room is at
the left of the east vestibule and the
mems room is in the basement and en-
tered at the right of the west vesti-
bule The exhibition room occupies
the entire main floor, with the excep-
| ton or the ladies' room and an office
for the park superintendent at the
northeast corner. The animal cages
are elevated about three feet above
the floor along the north side of the
room. The monkey cages are at the
south side occupying the west half Of
the south side. The east half of the
south side is reserved for members of
the parrot family This feature of the
exhibition will be one of the best to
| be found any zoo and already includes
Amazon, Cuban, red-head Mexican
and yellow-head Mexican parrots,
Australian shell, bee-bee and choco-
| late-faced paroquets, rosa and great
sulphur crested white cuckatoos.
Other species of the parrot family
will be added gradually. The wild
fowl flying cage occupies the center
of the building and is equipped with a
swimming pool for the birds. Here
will be kept various kinds of wild
ducks, geese, coots, gulls, etc. 1t is
the intention to make this feature
prominent one and different varieties
will be added TO the stock now on hand
Members of the dove family also will
be well represented. The varieties
now on hand comprise ring doves,
green-wing doves pearl-necked doves.
Belgian Carneaux pigeons, carrier
pigeons, etc. A number of the
smaller birds will also be found in
the exhibition. s68,fis
Rasmussen Gives Pictures
At each end of the exhibition hall
are beautiful colored pictures of ma
tive game birds. These pictures were
presented by r. D. Rasmussen and
have been framed as part of the
permanent exhibit. Over the vesti-
bules there are spaces which will be
later utilized for additional bird ex-
hibits as the zoo increases may de-
mand. A space also has been re-
served on the south side of the build
ing for several small aquaria which
will contain gold fish, small turtles,
etc. The walls and ceiling of the ex-
hibition room are painted gray, which
color is designed to show the plumage
Of the birds and the fur of the ami
mails to the best advantage.
It is not the intention to add foreign
animals Of any size to the Minot zoo,
such as lions, tigers, etc. The
largest animals that will be placed in
the building will be the members Of the
American cat family such as noun
tain lion, jaguar, Canada lynx etc.
These will not be purchased at present
but an effort will be made to secure
them some time in the future. 1t is
believed that complete and we'll
taken-care of exhibit of birds and
small animals will prove the most
economical and at the same time be of
great interest and educational value
to the public. The park board wishes
to make the house center Of interest
for all who are interested in natural
history subjects. Boy Scouts or
classes in the Normal and public
| schools are especially invited to make
| use of the building and Supt. w. o.
Doolittle states he will be glad to give
these classes personal attention.