THURS. 12 FEB. 1953 AT HOUSTON, CLEAR + COLD, FINISHED LOADING. UPTOWN TO VISIT ZOO + NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM. PRIMATE HOUSE IS A BEAUTY. I ARRIVED AT 9:30 BUT ONE OF KEEPERS LET ME IN + SHOWED ME AROUND. GOOD ASSORT- MENT OF BABOONS; 2 GOOD CHIMPS, AUTOMATIC HEAT CONTROL - NATURAL GAS, AIR CONDITIONING IN SUMMER. BONNET MONKEY IMPRESSIVE. ZOO IN LARGE PARK AREA TO WEST OF HOUSTON (HERMAN PIT - 15 MIN. BY BUS FROM CENTER). GOOD SEAL POOL. SEVERAL BIRD INCLOSURES WITH CYPRESS TREES (AND ITNEES). PARK IS IN PINE. ROBINS IN LARGE FLOCKS. N.H.Mus. IS OLD ONE LEVEL BUILDING FILLED WITH JUNK, FEW EYE-LEVEL HABITAT GROUPS WITH COLORED PHOTOGRAPH BACK- GROUNDS - POOR. GIFT SHOP MANNED BY JR. LEAGUERS, TEACHER, MR. SMITH - YOUNG + ENTHUSIASTIC, DIRECTOR - MR. VANS (SP?) TOLD OF PLANS FOR NEW 1000000 MUSEUM IN DIFF. LOCATION. ALSO BOTANICAL GARDEN + AQUARIUM. SPRING IS JUST TOUCH- ING THE GULF COAST. BACK TO SHIP BY BUS - JUST IN TIME - 10 MIN. TO SPARE. SAILED 12: M. DOWN HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL IN 2 HOURS. TEXAS CITY AT 4:15, GALVESTON ENTRANCE AT 5: P.M. WELL OUT AT 6: P.M. COURSE 128° BOUND FOR CANAL ZONE. A BEAUTIFUL CLEAR DAY. CHILLY, WIND FROM NORTH. SAW 2 GROUPS OF WHITE PELICANS - 500-600 ALL TOLD. ALSO A FLOCK OF SHIMMERS. LAUGHING GULLS ALONG CHANNEL. ONLY A FEW RING-BILLS + H. GULLS. 1 DARK 1° TERN (LARGE) BILL NOT RED YET. MANY DUCKS IN EVERY SHALLOW, ALSO GR.BL. HERONS + AM. EGRETS.