The Sun.
London, England, 1865-10-25 00:00:00

The Zoological Gardens.

At the worst of times these gardens have the best
and largest collection of wild animals in the world.
They have now a gathering together of the largest
mammalia, in pairs, such as has never before been
approached, not to say equalled, elsewhere. No
other collection on record ever possessed, at the same
time, and in pairs, the animals we now name—viz.,
a pair of rhinoceros, a pair of hippopotami, a pair of
Indian elephants, and the first pair of African ele-
phants that have ever been in this country. One of
the latter arrived only a month since, and is the
smallest elephant that has yet been brought to Eng-
land, being less in size than the elder hippopotamus
when he first made the acquaintance of the public.
We have before noticed the strange external develop-
ment of the ears in the African elephant they re-
semble, in shape, two ladies' collars, one spread over
each shoulder. But they can be erected, like hares'
or rabbits' ears, at will, when—from their enormous
size—they present a most extraordinary appearance.
It is in contemplation to build houses and form en-
closures where these eight of the largest mammalia
will be exhibited to the public, in close juxtaposi-
tion. If this arrangement can be completed by next
season, it will, no doubt, prove so great an attrac-
tion as to amply reimburse the society for its outlay.
Allied to this is another zoological idea, which has
long been in the minds of both amateur and scien-
tific naturalists. It may startle some nervous folks
at their first contemplation of the project, which is
nothing more nor less than to enable every visitor
to stand face to face with lions and tigers on the
same level and in the open air, at pistol-shot
distance, and that without any bars or bolts or
chains intervening, and yet with the most perfect
safety. Everybody will admit that it would be a
grand and novel sight to see the monarchs of the
African forest and the terror of the Indian jungle,
in but one remove from a state of nature, playing
their agile gambols in the open air amid quasi native
scenery, and with room enough to give practical
illustrations of their rush and deadly spring upon
their prey, at feeding time. There would be, how-
ever, no difficulty or risk in managing all this by the
simple adaptation of wide, deep ha-ha's and a spe-
cially constructed cheavaux-de-frise to the purpose,
encircling a raised mound, in imitation of Indian,
African, or tropical scenery. Indeed, some time
since, Mr. C. Landseer submitted well designed and
executed plans calculated to effect this object to the
committee of the Zoological Society. No doubt these
plans, if publicly canvassed, would be improved by
the adoption of some of the numerous suggestions
that would be made. But we have not heard that the
committee had taken the subject into consideration.
Yet it stands to reason that the fresh air, exercise,
and recreation thus proposed to be afforded these
great carnivora would conduce to their health, their
longevity, and to the likelihood of their breeding in
the menagerie.

This has been in several respects an interesting
season in the Zoological-gardens. Among the birds
three rare species have bred for the first time in Eng-
land, or perhaps anywhere else, while in a state of
captivity. The pintailed sand grouse (Pterocles
alchata) of the south of Europe and Africa; the
Nicobar pigeon (Calcenas Nicocobarica), of the
Indian Archipelago ; and the sun bittern (Eurypyga
pelias), of Trinidad, have all made successful hatches
this season.

We have before noticed the new and greatly im-
provedmonkeyhouse which was opened in the spring
of this year. Since then a new residence has been
formed for the beavers in front of Mr. Bart-
lett's (the able superintendent of the gardens)
house. These are among the most interesting ani-
mals in the place. On their first arrival they were
turned out into another inclosure, where, being sup-
plied with some trees, loppings, &c., they soon con-
structed a house of three apartments—two above
and one below the surface of the water in their
pond. They escaped from this place, and were for
a week or so daily passing to and fro between the
canal and their dwelling in the gardens. They
would probably never have permanently cut Mr.
Bartlett, or evacuated the premises he allowed
them to occupy rent free. But he was afraid the
boatmen would kill them ; and as their first place
of residence was required for another purpose, he
had a new enclosure more securely fenced in for
them. Here he made an imitation of their own
house for them, to which they took kindly at once.
Still they " make believe" to work, as "is their
nature to ;" and it is most curious and interesting
to observe that their busiest and most muddy corner
is that nearest to the canal, in which direction they
had once escaped.
We have intimated that it is the opinion of many
that the greater beasts requAle larger and better
homes ; and, to descend from big to little, we must
say a word for the birds. The small birds are not
at all so well shown as they might be. There are
a few in cramped cages, quite out of place, in the
parrot house ; and there are a great many in the
larger aviary, where they are lost in the crowd.
What would appear to be wanted are small aviaries
for small and interesting birds. Then, again, the
ostriches are poorly accommodated, and exhibited
in different parts of the gardens, whereas, if these
fine birds could be seen together, with a large pad-
dock to run about in, they would add greatly to
the attractions of the place. The fish house, too,
is nothing like large enough, even for the common
inhabitants of the sea and fresh waters. It has been
suggested by a naturalist that if the hippopotamus's
pond was properly constructed, an increase in that
refined and symmetrically made family might shortly
be expected.

BATTUE AT BRECHIN CASTLE.—The Earl of Dal-
housie held a battue over that part of his estate lying west
from Brechin Castle on Thursday last. There were in all
night guns, and some good sport was obtained, 256 head of
game having been killed.

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