This is one of the most beautiful public parks in the United States.
In his annual report, which is a handsomely printed and illustrated
volume, President Marsh says that while there are few changes during
the year in the make-up of the big family of birds and animals that
compose the zoölogical and ornithological department, it continues
to be an ever-increasing source of pleasure to the thousands of
persons who visit the park for recreation, and no part of the park
is more thoroughly appreciated. The departure from the usual plan
of park menageries in arranging an exhibit of domestic animals has
been a marked success, giving to the park visitors a chance to become
acquainted with the more common breeds of the higher types of our
domestic animals, an education in which the average city resident is
sadly lacking. The exhibit of thoroughbred cows has been especially
a source of pleasure and instruction. The collection comprises seven
thoroughbred cattle, no two of the same breed, and children and grown
people alike take delight in visiting the barns to see these splendid
animals, finding it as instructive as it is entertaining.
This is a departure that might be favorably considered by other boards
of park commissioners. All of the domestic animals of superior breed
might be annually exhibited with great advantage to the general public.
The ornithological and zoölogical exhibits of Forest Park are hardly
surpassed anywhere, containing as they do one hundred and eighty-nine
specimens of animals and three hundred and ninety-seven of birds.
[Illustration: MARBLES.
OLD TENNESSEE. ALPS GREEN.
SIENNA. MEXICAN ONYX.
FLORENTINE VERMONT. AFRICAN MARBLE.
CHICAGO:
A. W. MUMFORD, PUBLISHER.]