Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham/Z
Zoological Association.—Early in 1873 a provisional committee of gentlemen undertook the formation of a local society similar to that of the Regent's Park, of London, proposing to raise a fund of £7,000 towards such an establishment, partly by donations and partly in shape of entrance fees to Fellowship (fixed at £5). It was believed that with a fair number of annual 40s. subscriptions and gate money from the public that such a society might be made successful; several handsome donations were promised, and a lot of "fellows" put their names down as good for the rivers, but when, a little time after, Edmunds' (alias Wombwell's) agents were trying to find here a purchaser for their well-known travelling collections, the piecrust proverb was again proved to be correct.
Zoological Gardens.—Morris Roberts, the ex-prizefighter, opened a menagerie in the grounds of the Sherbourne Hotel, and called it The Zoological Gardens, May 4, 1873. The animals were sold in April, 1876, the place not being sufficiently attractive.