The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1895-06-01
HzppTNEss Or WrED ANIMALS.
Some Are Probably Conte,ted When Kept
In Zoo.

Some Are Probably Conte,ted When Kept
In Zoo.
What makes the happiness Of wild
animals? The question is not very
easily answered. The abstract idea Of
liberty certainly does not enter into 1t
in the case of the greater number; they
cannot, like the man who has con-
sciously sought a life in the wilds in
order to enjoy the sense of freedom
from social restrictions, say: II am
free. and my own master, and there
fore possess one element of happi-
ness" What the happiness of wild
creatures consists In can perhaps be
best judged by their daily habits.
Within certain limits they are free to
choose their lie, and presumably they
choose that which pleases them best.
In nearly every case this is one Of pure
routine. Itconsists in the daily repe-
tition of very limited series of ac-
lions, the greater number of which
seem to give them satisfaction rather
than pleasure, but make up in the ag-
gregate the sum Of animal happiness.
Unlike the domesticated dog, which
welcomes any break in the monotony
OF life, they never, except in the court
ing season, seem to seek change, or adj
venture, or excitement 1t may be
doubted whether, IT the food supply
were plentiful and constant, animals
or birds would ever care to move be-
yond the circle In which they can find
enough for their daily wants The
probable whereabouts of deer at any
time in the twenty-four hours, and
their occupation, whether sleeping,
feeding or resting, are known with the
utmost certainty to those whose bust.
ness 1t Is to watch the forest, and could
be predicted for any month in the
year; and though the Scotch deer
move considerable distances, owing to
the bad weather and want of food on
the mountains, fat Exmoor stag re-
mains In the same haunt, and goes
through the comfortable round of eat
Ing, sleeping, and occasionally bathing,
as regularly as its tame relations In
Richmond park. Change, excitement,
or even the desire to visit another part
OF the forest does not seem to come
within their notion of what constitutes
happiness in the wild life. Comfort
seems to be his aim, though this, Sc
cured by natural means, bestows what
in the case of human beings it often
withdraws, the condition Of perfect
health.
The adventurous life, If it is found
anywhere among Wild scpeatures, be-
longs to the carnivorous animals. Yet
most of these only wander Just SO far
as Is necessary to And their prey, and
then prefer to kill some creature that
win provide meal for more than one
day. They are naturally indolent, and
active only from necessity. Even the
peregrine falcon, the fastest and bold
est of English birds, lives '.in a groove"
when It can. Those In the Culver
cliffs not only remain there during the
whole year, but at no time during the
day are they absent for more than an
hour from the cliff face. Though they
could cross the channel after breakfast
and return by midday without fatigue,
did they choose to do 80, they are as
much attached to q small area as the
birds which haunt our gardens An
other clew to the passive character of
animal happiness is that given by the
behavior of those Creatures which have
voluntarily. established what is called
by naturalists ''commensalism" with
man, living only where he lives, and
feeding only on what, In a sense, falls
from his table" Sparrows, starlings
and the half-wild pigeons Of London
are In the transition state between the
Of the fields and the confine-
ment of the Zoo, where, by the wav,
these birds are perhaps tanner and more
than in any other place.
Their life, In its hours and habits, is
almost identical with that of the bird
inmates of the cages. They eat when
they eat, battle when they battle, and
on cold nights will come and sit In the
aviaries of the larger birds which admit
their passage through the bars. In no
case do they seem anxious for more
liberty" 1t may be doubted II Zoo
sparrow has ever visited Hyde Park, or
whether, II the Gagged birds were given
their liberty, they would leave the gar
dens This has in some instances been
proved. Some years ago the snow
broke in the wire roof of a cage of wild. |
wood pigeons. These birds remained
In the gardens, and nested next spring
In the sdjacent trees.
For the widest creatures the state |
of nature has its evils, which disappear
In captivity. Every class, except the
strongest, has its natural enemy" for
ever seeking to kiln 1t, of whose exist |
snce 1t Is painfully aware, and which |
keeps It constantly in nervous dread. |
For most, change Of weather or of sea-
SON causes dearth Of food; and for all |
the inevitable time Of injury and sick
ness, though not foreseen or. dreaded.
comes at last, without the chance of aid |
Or recovery. An example of the advan-
fages of life at the Zoo,s even to the |
largest animals. when attacked bv