Evening star., 1925-07-05


animals are intended for a national
scientific collection. In this way the
park here has come into possession
of its rarest occupants, not to be
found anywhere else In the United
States, which attract the attention of
scientists from all over the world.
Such a one is the kiwi, an almost
extinct New Zealand bird, which
probably is worth much more than
Consular Service OF Assistance.
The diplomatic and consular serv-
ice, DIR. Mann points out, has repre-
sentatives In practically every corner
of the globe, all of them cultured men
and most with some interest In nat
ural history. They are on the ground
when rare specimen is captured
and can obtain it for the Washing
ton Zoo long before a professional
animal dealer hears of IL and comes
around to bid for 1t. Some of the
most valuable of the specimens al
ready have been obtained from con-
sular agents. To w. l.. Schurz, at
tache at the American embassy in
Rio de Janelro, for instance, the Zoo
owes the Brazilian wild dog, before
whose cage visiting mammalogists
stand for hours in enraptured study
He is probably the only one of his
species in captivity, certainly the
only one in any zoo in the world, and
Is priceless. Even in Brazil he is
practically unobtainable and is al
most extinct. AS a rule. these crea
lures can be bought at the time for
practically nothing. If only few
diplomatic agents took the same in
terest in the Zoo collection as MIR.
Schurz, says Dr. Mann, in a very
short time ii would be unrivaled in
the world.
From the Army also DIR. Mann eX
poets invaluable cooperation. Mill
tary officers have at their disposal
the unrivaled fauna of the Canal
Zone, the Philippines, Alaska. Ha-
waii and advanced outposts in the
United States. At present, for in
stance, the unique fauna of the Canal
Zone is very slightly represented in
the collection. Hawaii is almost un-
represented. From the Philippines it
is impossible at present to ship birds
or mammals, owing to a peculiar
blood disease. which is Infectious
There Is no ban on reptiles. however
and the islands are especially rich in
this class of life. One Of the most
priced creatures at the park arrived
last week, an oScillated monitor liz
ard from the Philippines, the gift of
Lieut.. w. X. Burgess. This reptile
now is five feet, five inches long, and
will grow to seven or eight feet, one
of the largest of the entire lizard
family. He is considered a worthy
companion of the Australian monitor
which is kept in. the same building
1t would probably be next TO i'm
possible for any other zoo to obtain
-, IL,
Philippines, DR.. Mann hopes, will re-
double their efforts to obtain rare and
interesting reptile specimens for the
park. Their services will be especially
important when the aquarium is con-
structed, for the islands are the home
Of unique fish life.
Sailors or Lookout.
DR.. Mann already has obtained the
promise of enthusiastic cooperation
from the Navy, especially from the hy-
geographic office, which is in charge Of
the oceanic survey now in progress.
II the aquarium already We're con-
structed it probably could be soon
| made an unrivaled depository for
ocean life. In addition, however, there
are few ports where Navy ships do
not call at some time or other, and the
superintendent expects that the off,
GERS will make II duty to pick up
any interesting animals which may be
available. This also applies to the
Shipping Board, and he Is especially
confident that valuable specimens will
be obtained by Shipping Board crews
on the west coast OF Africa.
The value and extent of the Navy
cooperation is shown by the fact that
Il probably will apply to such enter
prises as the Macmillan expedition,
which expects to discover a new CONT
nent, with hitherto unknown forms of
animal life, in the Far North. If such
creatures should be discovered the
! Washington Zoo would be the natural
! depository for them under the arrange
ment.
Smithsonian biological explorers
hitherto have been interested chiefly
! in obtaining dead animals DIR. Mann
expects that they now will extend their
efforts so far as possible to such live
animals as are unrepresented and
which can be transported with a fair
chance of surviving.
The Biological Survey of the Depart
ment of Agriculture hitherto has been
the chief contributor to the Zoo col
| lection. It's work is confined to the
continental limits of the United States,
but even here, DR.. Mann says, the col
lection cannot be considered by any
means complete. The ramifications of
the animal kingdom are so numerous
that rare and invaluable specimen is
apt to be picked up in almost any
patch of woodland. DR.. Mann this
Spring has placed his largest order
with the Biological Survey-a complete
list of all the mammals, birds and rep.
| tiles in the United States, and he ex.
poets that during the Summer the col
| lnHflnnG
Sends Call for Pets.
I In addition to collections by the
| Government services DR.. Mann urges
persons with rare pets not to hesitate
to deposit them with the Zoo. Many
OF these which are of great popular
or scientific value often become un
manageable for private families. Al
the Zoo they will obtain the best oil
care. The record for longevity of ami
mails at the local park is unri
vailed. Once creature becomes ac
climated and consents to be fed, its
chances of life are much better than ii
II was left, in the wild state. Not
only is it protected from it's owr
natural enemies, but it is kept warm
fed fully and scientifically and has the
| best possible medical attention
| The Zoo has a number of generous
supporters. but DIR. Mann hopes tc
interest more wealthy men. Such mer
as Victor j. Evans, a local attorney
have made contributions the value OF
which runs into the thousands. Among
those more recently interested in in
creasing the local collection is Z. r
Grant, Washington real estate man
whose latest contribution, received
yesterday, is a bare-breasted gelada
baboon from Abyssinia. Mr.. Grant i.
taking an especial interest in the
monkey collection.
DR.. Mann calls attention to the fac