THE "ZOO."

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1443, 18 May 1912, Page 14

THE "ZOO."

SOME RECENT ADDITIONS. To-morrow being tho day on which the last of the hand concerts in Newtown Park for this season will bo given, permission lias been received by tlui Wellington Zoological Society to take up a collection in aid of the society's fund lor the purchase of animals for the 'Zoo. The citizens' subscriptions recently have enabled the society to purchase and present to the corporation n splendid lirown bear and a leopurd, both of which have been much admired, and now, with tho assistance of Jlr. Le Souef, tho director of tho Sydney Zoological Gardens, a pair of enteUus (or sacred) monkeys is being obtained from India. The society is also spending some money in attempting to got one of tho dogs which Captain Amundsen took with him in his successful expedition to discover tho South Pole. Captain Amundsen, the New Zealand Government, two of the loading shipping companies, two Norwegian Consuls, and several other earnest workers have interested themselves in the effort to get tho dog for the Zoo and the Museum, and »s several of the leading citizens of Wellington have expressed high appreciation of Captain Amundsen s kindly feeling, citizens are asked to make Sunday's collodion towards tho Zoological Society's fund a record one. Captain Amundsen's agreement with tho Wellington Zoological Society will be 011 view in 111'. Collie's window at Newtown this evening. Jupp's Band hag promised a special programme of music for the concert to-morrow.

The latest addition to the local Zoo is a young marmoset, which was born less than a week ago. Although tho weather lias been tryius for the baby that is supposed to bo of a family extremely susceptible to cold, both mother and oifspring are in remarkably good condition. The tenacity with which the young one clings to the back of its parent, the dexterity with which its parents transfer it from the back of one to the back of tho other, and the agility with which the miniature monkey parent leaps about with such a weight upon its back have excited wonder and admiration of many watchers. Other recent arrivals at the Zoo are two blood-breast doves or pigeons. These, which are in the aviary, where tho mandarin ducks aro attracting much attention. used to be called bleeding hearts, because, having a patch of deep crimson each on their otherwise whito breasts, they appear as though their hearts had been pierced through their breasts.