STORY IN A LETTER

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 148, 25 June 1938, Page 20

STORY IN A LETTER

"The other day Bill (my brother) and I visited the Zoo. The first thing we noticed was a wooden stand., We guessed that it was for the camel, but it was not in;, sight. Further on we saw white parrots. "Halloa!" said one,in,,a:rauc6us cry. Other gloriouslyswung on a trapeze and ptefee'd' each b'ther viciously at interivils'.T;; Passing the Happy Family we were delighted with a tiny guinea-pig. The old white cat rubbed herself affectionately against our fingers. While we were hanging over the fence of a new duck pond some ducks flapped their, wings and rose half but of the water.. ' For a brief moment we saw ' that, .the feathers of the Underwing were an exquisite turquoise- blue. Immediately the duck settled down : white .feathers com-: pletely covered the gorgeous hue. The pouch of the pelican's amused us. One twisted; back so that its beak was hidden hi" the feathers on its back and slept. .j'.vtT':-'- "' ■ - -- : - -■'•''

"Up the';bankj ; :.we stepped to the bears. Theibro.fe bear was begging. A man took its photograph. The other polar bears were restless. The bigger (and dirtier) of the two dived into the dirty water. Ungainly on land, it was smooth and almost graceful: in water. .It dived with-scarcely, a ripple, diving so deeply that it was lost for a minute.

In glass cases we saw horny tuataras. An eel writhed across the pane of its prison. The budgerigar cage was one squabble. Peeping out of the top of a log was a pretty budgie with a red, bltie, and green neck.

"We ascended to the emus. What vicious eyes they have! When we approached, strange, hollow sounds like the low beating of a native drum were heard. They came from the emus! "We fed the deer with long grass which/ they seemed to appreciate. The kangaroos, too, ate the grass we gave them. Funny way they hop, but fast, too. In the old sea-lion's pool were ducks,, swans, and penguins. Mountain goats stood within the cage as well. The beloved elephant was giving children rides. While in the stand, she rested her trunk first on the steps on one side, then on the other, in the hope of some buns or peanuts." "AUTE" (14). Island Bay.