New-York tribune., 1910-01-29


a G Thacker, a. r. c. S Illustrated.
svo: PIP. 29e. Longmans. Green & Co.
Here is a book which is in a fair way
TO become classic-one which can never
lose its fascination. The veteran dealer
in wild animals, who is known all over
the world not only for upright enter
prise but for his original and eminently
successful methods of treating his
charges, has set down his own story
with rare simplicity and directness. The
reader does not need to be told that
Hagenheck is a naturalist with a genu-
ine affection and sympathy for animals.
His heart has helped his vigorous brain
in his work. may be seen in these
chapters. and in his remarkable zoologi-
cal park at Stellingen. That work in
deed. and the enthusiasm with which he
has pursued il originated more as he has
said. in love for all living creatures
than in any mere commercial instincts.
end il was a passion inherited from his
father.
One secret OF his wonderful success in
maintaining in health and beauty the
wild animals OF strange countries is in
his giving them the utmost liberty pos
sihle. He had a theory that the old
fashioned Luxurious and expensive
houses with complicated heating ap-
lraratus" simply prevented acclimatiza-
lion. He undertook TO show what nat
ural conditions of freedom and the open
sir could DO and the experiment had tri-
iumphant results. He provided well VEN
ffilsted shelters TO which the animals
could retire when they chose, he fed
them with wisdom and let them other
wise take care Of themselves in the open
An example OF their ready adaptation
may be given in the case of those tropi-
Fcal animals. the giraffes Even in an un-
commonly severe German winter, when
the temperature Of the stable could not
Ebe raised more than a few degrees above
freezing point, they remained well and
happy. merely growing q thick crop of
winter hair. IL is interesting TO note
that his first experiment in open air ac-
climatization was due TO an accident
rather than TO set purpose. He says:
I received one day in September very
beautiful Indian CYRUS crane. This We
placed in an open inclosure, where it re-
mained until nearly the beginning of win
Ter About that time ] was, as so often
happens to me. called away Unexpectedly,
later During this week cold weather sud
denly set in. I arrived back very late at
night. but was awakened early next morn
ing by the characteristic cry of my crane.
which had forgotten all about. and which
! had intended 10. transfer TO warm
building. I hastened out to find the hoar
frost lying on the ground and. expecting
10 see the crane frozen through with the
4 cold But TO my astonishment l found him
in the most boisterous health: and when
rame UP, expecting 10 him the point
Of death. he came dancing and f1utterlnE
-o ling rEo 2ir --ifl, iS
loud cries. Seeing that he did not appear
20 have suffered in any way from the cold.
sort of recess. with plenty of straw, where
he could obtain shelter from the cold. But
and rain of that long winter did he make
any use Of this recess. He maintained his
health I'm as perfect condition as though he
in his tropical climate | date
from this occurrence the inauguration of
my settled custom of giving wild animals
access to the open air 10 the greatest pos
sible extent.
Herr Hagenbeck laments the APP
preaching determination of the finest
kinds Of wild beasts. and urges the es-
tablishrnent of large reserves where they
may be saved. Florida is the region
which he mentions as the best. possible
for such purpose. He thinks that if
rark Of even thousand acres could be
arranged there, complete portion Of the
African fauna could be transferred, and,
given proper conditions of woods, thick
cts. hill. meadow and streams could live
. there in perfect health and bring up
their Young for future generations of
mankind TO see. He does not think that
the expense would amount TO more than
$4,000.
chapter describing the ways in
which wild animals are caught is full OF
exciting and picturesque details. The
most curious concern the catching of
young Gland antelopes in Rhodesia.
Mounted hunters pursue them, and when
they falter, exhausted, seize them by the
tail. Once taken, they will die unless
cared for Immediately. In their worn
out state they must be wrapped, with
hind legs tethered, I'm warm rugs, for
fear of q change in temperature. Then
the young animal receives a sub-cuta-
neous injection of some liquid, which
puts II into a deep sleep lasting nearly
twenty-four hours. When it wakes It
is introduced TO q foster mother in the
shape OF a Kindly COW, and its life IS
assured. Without this injection says
the author, ''the creature would scarcely
1--we quarter OF an hour: before this
method OF treating them was hit upon
they used 20 die from heart strain"
Snakes, 1t appears, are the easiest and
least dangerous OF wild animals to catch,
since they are sought out in the early
mornings OF the cool season, when they
lie benumbed with cold. The snake find
ers of India discover the creatures by
the smell, and dig them out of their
holes at dawn-the python is taken I'M
this way. In later chapter Herr Hag-
enbeck tells some thrilling stories OF ex-
periences with snakes in prosperous and
healthy captivity-then they are danger
Gus indeed.
The most delightful portions of this
volume are devoted TO the authors train
ing of wild animals and the firm friend
ships which he has established with
many of them. He never adopted the
old, cruel method of training with whip
and redhot iron. He has used good
sense, kindness and an enlightened study
of animal character-fCr each animal, he
declares, has its own peculiar character
istics, Its own idiosyncracies over and
above the general psychological char
acter which il shares with all other