The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-10-01
HOW BIG LIONS ACT
Peculiar Traits of Kings of the
Beast World.
SOME ARE QUITE SANITY
An Expert Trainer Tells of
Their Habits.

the size and strength for courage; but
travellers tell US that the beast is Woe
fully lacking in this trait. He will fight,
but it must be when hungry or cornered in
pursuit. The Hottentots say that lion
never kills d man at once when he has
struck him down, unless he is irritated by
resistance. There are many anecdotes
told to show that the lion viii run from
human being. and to further show that
the lion will crunch over or lie quietly
near human victim. It would seem the
lion takes quite another course when the
victim is a beast. Most frequently he
kills him with blow. His habit is 10
| throw himself on the back OF animals
and break their spines. Whence comes
this difference? Doubtless from the fear
which man inspires, and the natural pru-
/, dence OF the lion which makes him al
ways suspect some trap on the part Of
man and this leads up TO the question Of
Intelligence in this superbly formed beast,
! as well as the theory of cowardice as
cribed to him by some travellers.
Recently 1 had an interesting interview
with William Spencer, the head animal
trainer of Ringing Brothers circus He
is well-informed with regard to the char
acteristics and habits of these beasts,
and reads their character by the lines
and features of the face, much in the
same way as physiognomists do the hu-
man countenance. Just now he is rather
proud of the king Of the lion troop in his
charge. Two cubs were added last week
to it, and Prince, the father of these
youngsters, is ridiculously proud. He is
magnifcently made beast, with a mas
sive head, said to be more shapely than
any Of his type known to be in captivity
1t is interesting to hear Spencer delineate
the character of this beast by reading the
lines and formation of his face and head.
Il don't know much about that science
by which they exactly tell the talents and
traits Of man by feeling the bumps on
his head and looking into his face, but I
know can tell pretty well lot about the
nature of a beast by doing this. See that
lion Prince? He has the finest face and
head of any lion we ever had. He has
been with US for four years, and the first
day he joined the show at Baraboo, I
told Mr.. Al Ringing just the kind of a
beast he was, and our experience with
him has proved me right. Motive the
top Of his head there; it is as fiat as
pancake. Look back OF the ears; see
those Jumps. Look at his jaws; see how
deep they are and look at his nose, with
its dog length. What does that ali show?
l viii tell you. It means that he has
more fight in him than sense, and more
vanity than either. The upper part of
his head shows that he is most strongly
marked by the traits of his father. The
wavering lip, with a little inclination TO
curl at the side, and the round chin show
that the mothers nature was not alto
gether overlooked when it came to en-
dowing this beautiful animal.
This combination makes him quick
tempered, sensitive and foolish. It also
makes him susceptible to attention, as
well as jealous in its absence. When
ever We get a new lion, he goes in the
air. that is to say he gets sullen, which
comes from the jealous streak, and VIII
never rest until he stirs up a fight If
the newcomer has any backbone and Will
have it out with him, the chances are,
after fair to middling struggle. he viii
quit But if the other animal does not
put up a stiff fight and is driven to his
corner, then he is in high feather and
bound to make the life of the victim a
and biggest male we have Just now. I
handle him in such a way as to flatter
his vanity, and make him a peaceful pic
ture, as well a quiet leader in the
troops Of lions we carry.
''The youngster over there in the other
cage is only two years old. and hardly
strong enough to show his nature yet
However, lions reach their fun growth at
four years, and his head and face are
sufficiently developed in character ex-
preston to enable me to read his traits.
If he could speak. he would be a beauti-
ful talker. His eyes have that bulge
which gives expression TO both writing
and speaking: or. for that matter. play
ing and singing. His forehead IS mar
rover than Princes, and II rises on top
and has a longer line from the top Of the
forehead to a point back OF the ears This
means a number Of things It means
that his nature is more gentle. and IL
means that he win be tidy and well man
uered. Animals have manners as well as
people, and in this respect they run from
good to bad in the same way. The oaly
difference is, people can acquire them
from association, whereas. animals are
born with qualities that make them. HIS
nose has more the share Of the North
African lion. that is. Il Is not very long.
It's a trine wider. too. and the face is
SNAPPED SO that no feature sticks out
strongly at the expense OF any other
That means that he Is weH-balanced and
VIII have n more serene life. You WIN
find other boys and girls Of the lion fam
ily Coddling more xifh him than
legs, ard IN our clothes. he wouId make
a good church man ard build Up q fan-
ily. The other fellow would wear straps
Of some kind. and lead the dance. or be
wouldn't stay. lie probably would ~
politician. ard I wouldn't be surprised II
he landed in Washington ard rnsGe his
daughters TOO dreszy for their old frier6s
That this youngster am talking about
has q musical sense and ear, yuu wiu see
when the music begins. When the mlslc
Is q a good quality. Ike thar fa G con-
cert before the circus. his eyes dllate. his
body IS eagerly erect. his ears witch
and there IS every outward sign o. his
being deply pleased on the ether hand
when the clown baud begins % tear uo
the air. lie goes through an the notions
q a person II acute pain I bought 2
music box lasr Christmas. when We we're
at our winter quarters IT. Baraboo and
this animal vas feeling poorly He eri-
IDENTIFY had taken d sssre cGi1. and ~
Hens are susceptible g. pnelro1.a.
was considerably worried. Cer e. s AZ
unusually fire Specimen ~
gave him ulslleine il .lis feal - DRINK.
and ae Gradually Eat wA
believe. however tl-4t re operate al-
played - thss ulEssa s7x hzi zgs= 70 -
VII nai.tlas ~ hs zsrfa Shan a
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