Evening star., 1922-04-23
Heard and Seen

Mans ability to use clubs and stones
started him on the way to civtliza.
tion.
conscious use Of materials. But many
birds do much the same sort Of thing
such as searching for twigs and ma.
terial to make nests.
A striking instance Of the ability oi
! the bird. along this line may be. seen
at the National Geological Park In the
outdoor cage Of the kea. or mountain
parrot.
The kea is squat. stocky. parrot
feathers, which are brilliantly red un.
derneath. He, has reputation al
being bloodthirsty.
In their cage is a small round pool
with rim around IL. The birds like
the water. They fiirt in and out OF i,
But their favorite sport is water
swishing, with sticks. Each kea-
there are two Of them-provides him
self with q straight twfg. about a
foot and q half long. Then. gripping
the stick by the very tip firmly in iti
bill. the kea swishes the stick rapidly
through the water. from left to righ,
and from right to left.
At times the birds seem actually to
be trying to splash water upon each
other. Whenever one makes an un-
. usually great splash II looks at the
other: as much as to say, How did
you liAe that?' --
One OF the birds domineers over the
other. One stick does not satisfy him
While beating the water himself. he
seems TO want the other one to desist
Accordingly, after beat or two, he
VIII drop his stick and make of
around the rim of the pool after the
other. The latter will then. drop his
stick, which the greedy fellow win
seize. After giving the water a swish
stick.
The National Geological Park. by
the way. is one Of the most attractive
places in the District, and should be
used by Washingtonians even more
than they do. The popularity Of the
place has grown with the years, bu,
1t can accommodate thousands more
than 1t now does.
The natural beauty Of the place is
unsurpassed in these parts. OF course
1t may seem too civilized and fenced
in for some, but Rock Creek Park
adjoins for these. For many people
the 200" grounds furnish all the
hiking and hill climbing that 10 neces-
sary or desired.
Its easy access by car line. its walks
ana animals provide entertainment
not too far removed for almost any
body In Washington to enjoy. Hill
climbing. within reason. ia one of the
most beneficial exercises in the world,
and the gentle undulations of the
park, together with more precipitous
hills, give ample opportunity for in
diligence therein.
Above all. the animals and birds are
a never-ending Joy to those who will
come acquainted with them Like in
most everything else in life. one has
to really know something about ami
mails before they become interesting.
The tenth trip to the 200" will be
more pleasant and interesting than
est into IT..
Supt. Hollister is on the watch
constantly for new animals and birds
to add to the park collections. The
collections already are among the
finest in the world. The future will
see them grow.
The park possesses ample room for
expansion. SO that it never will be
crowded. At present plans are being
carried out for the reception of new
collections as fast as they can be Sc
cured. Owing to the limited resources
in q fnenciai way Of the park. many
Of the new acquisitions have to be
secured by trades with other parks.
Many new outdoor cages have been
added to the bird house. A big space
has been cleared to the right OF the
winding road that leads In from Con-
necticut. avenue. just below the big
aviary. Oficials plan to erect hare
some time next summer or fall cages
to provide for new collections.
Some Of the stone to be used Is now
on the site. This space always looked
rather bare. and buildings there will
add to the Aattractiveness of the park.
CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.