The Cecil Whig., 1876-02-19
A Visit TO the Central Park Menagerfe.

A desi1e to see the animals in their
Winter habitation and to observe how
patiently or otherwise they submitted to
an infringement on their comparative free
dom, took us to the Central Park Menag-
erie few days ago. On entering the Her.
bvora house the first animal that arrests
the attention of the visitor is a magnificent
giraffe, walking leisurely and gracefully
about in its enclosure, now and then
stretching its long neck over the railing
and poking its head in the face of the
spectators. One is surprised at the freedom
allowed this animal here, as in Europe it is
most carefully protected from every draught
and the visitor allowed to look at it only
through a glass partition. There is some
question whether such treatment is judi
cious, inasmuch as it renders them very
susceptible to the least cold. This giraffe
was brought here in 1872, and seems thus
far to have resisted the severity of the eli
mate OF thirty which were since imported
only eight are now living, so difficult is it
to accustom them to our variable climate.
The antelopes are located near by and
seem very comfortable in their Winter
quarters. We notice among them the
horse antelope, said to be the first of this
species brought to this country. 1t is
young male, captured last Spring in upper
| Nubia Africa.
Outside the Herbivora house are found
the sea lons eight in number, occupying
large circular tank, filled with water,
where they have ample room to enjoy
themselves all day.
On entering the Carnivora building one
is struck by the fine appearance and large
number of the lions The chief interest
just now, however, seems to be centered in
pair of lions cubs, born in the menagerie
on the 18th of last November. Their
weight now is Is pounds each. When first
born they were about the size of New
foundland or mastitf pups. One week after
birth their eyes were opened, and in five
weeks all their milk teeth had made their
appearance.
The royal little beasts have been truly
born in the purple, for every care is taken
that no harm shall come to them, and every
leonne luxury provided In the first in
stance it was doubtful whether the mother
would have enough milk, and whether,
moreover she might not trample them in
her narrow den; so they were taken away
and put to IA small terrier bitch, which
nursed them atfectionately until they were
so big that she had not milk enough. \
bigger foster dam was now fOund-a mas
tiff of very gentle and kindly temper. At
first she sulked with her new babies, who
nosed and whimpered in vain, but keeper
was constantly on hand to prevent any
outburst of anger and at last, when her
milk became troublesome. she permitted
their attentions, and having been relieved,
took kindly to them, and now accepts all
their rough caresses and plays with them.
in turn nibbling and tOwzliug them as she
would have done to her own pups.
The little brutes are full of sprightliness,
and when they are let out of their den to
run about the floor with their first fosterer.
the little terrier, who comes often to see
them and have a romp, they all three tum-
BILE around and kick over the waste paper
basket, scratching and purring like kittens.
1t is funny to see them toss ball of paper
around, or run for a stick or piece of twine.
They are quite good tempered; their teeth
are about the size of full grown cats
and when their claws are out they scratch
pretty hard, though not Intentionally. AS
yet they have had no meat. but over bone
they will growl and grumble as if fore
showing their future power. They are
loose -iointed and ungainly as mastiff pups
would be; but the forelegs and paws give
clear prognosis of the muscular develop
ment and size of bone. The forepaws
too. are tiattened out almost as much as in
a plantigrade, while the hind limbs are
weak and unmanageable as yet.
Rod and Gun.