ANIMALS IN THE NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 



By N. Hollistee 



[With 29 plates] 



The National Zoological Park, in the city of Washington, was 

 established by an act of Congress approved April 30, 1890, " for the 

 advancement of science and the instruction and recreation of the 

 people," and was placed under the direction of the Smithsonian 

 Institution. Some changes have been made in the original boundary 

 line, and the area now included within the park comprises 175 acres. 

 The park is located in Rock Creek Valley, a district admirably and 

 peculiarly suited for the purposes for which it was selected. 



At the time of its establishment the park was some distance from 

 the city proper, but now it is well within the residential district of 

 northwest Washington, almost surrounded by dwellings, and is easily 

 accessible from the heart of the city. No more beautiful site for a 

 zoological park could be desired, and within the fences of this pictur- 

 esque tract may be found conditions suitable for many of the forms of 

 animal life. The borders of the valley are heavily wooded, and the 

 vegetation in summer almost entirely shuts off the view of the sur- 

 rounding country. The more open hills and rolling slopes of the 

 interior, where most of the exhibition buildings are placed, are 

 covered with firm sod and excellent lawns, and winding through the 

 length of the valley is picturesque Rock Creek, an affluent of the 

 Potomac River. Systems of automobile roads and bridle paths are 

 maintained throughout the park and walks traverse its most fre- 

 quented parts. 



A collection of about 1,750 living animals is, of course, the feature 

 of the park. There are numerous paddocks and ranges for buffalo, 

 deer, and other large mammals ; lakes and pools for waterfowl, seals, 

 beavers, and other aquatic species ; outdoor cages, some of large size, 

 for hardy birds and mammals; and houses and shelters for species 

 requiring special care or heated quarters during the winter months. 

 The lion house, near the center of the collection, is at the summit of 

 what is generally known as " lion house hill." In this building are 

 most of the larger cats, the hyenas, the hippopotamuses, and some 



291 



