The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-03

meanness and cruelty in its small. sinister
eyes.
The Sincerity of the Lion
How dimefent We're the wise. nagnani-
nous faces of the lions. with their lurkitg
sense of humor. No wonder Empedoclcs
was so enthusiastic about them
The worthiest dwellings, for the souls of
men.
When 'tis their lot to live in form of
beasts
Are tawny lions. those great beasts that
sleep
couched on the black earth up the noun
tain side.
They assumed no interest in me as the
bear had crafty done. but yawned indif-
ferently in my face with an attractive sim
eerity and absence of humbug.
In the Lions Den
Mr. Tyrwhitt-Drske loves the lions
best and the lions love him. l held
my breath for a moment when he entered
cage occupied by two splendid young
lions from Gambia and Nigeria. But they
rubbed themselves against him affection
ately like magnificent kittens, and fol-
lowed him round the cage, rising up and
lying down at his bidding. He does not
dominate them by the hypnotic eye" of
the professional lion tanner. His power
lies in sympathy and understanding. In
another cage he made a big Abyssinian
lion perform tricks WITH, chair Next
door spotted hyena from West Africa
danced up and down with a euriously
harmless movement and graceful back
ward toss of the head at regular intervals,
which was strangely reminiscent of Paw
Iowa. This is the strongest iawed animal
in the world, and has also the reputat tion
of being the most savage and treacher-
Gus. Mr.. Tyrwhitt-Drake went into his
cage and had a friendly wrestling match
with him.
A lovely little rosette-covered leopard,
answering to the demure name of Della,
watched from behind bars with keen
interest.
OF all the wild animals in Mr.. Tyrwhitt-
brakes collection, the Scotch wildcat is
the widest. 1t is one of the most difficult
to keep and breed in captivity. Six years
of cage life have failed to break or even
to bend the proud spirit of this particular
cat. While lions and tigers are tractable
this little creature turned suddenly and
spat with spiteful malignancy in Mr..
Tyrwhitt-Drake's face when he gently
prodded it to make 1t move.
The Fighting Rams
1t is. we'll also to beware of the fight
ing rams of India. They have a nasty
habit of butting, running back first for
a little distance, to increase the impetus
and then making straight for one with
terrifying directness. Rams like these"
said the owner. as he pointed out some
running about in big meadow, ARE kept
by the rajahs of India for the purpose of
butting each other. much as people in this
country kept fighting cocks
Egyptian geese were promenading in
81. /, vi h l.
kangaroos were hopping about in an
other.
"rhe collecting of foreign geese is
quite a fashionable hobby just now
said Mr.. Tyrwhitt- Drake, "and there
Is also rather a craze for the little
wallaby kangaroo. People have them
instead or deer for their parks They
are very hardy, give little trouble,
and do not cost much to keep, as they
live chiefly on grass"
There is something diabolicaliy dark
about the st. Kilda rams. 1t is said
they were wrecked in the Armada on
st. Kilda and their scoty beauty gives
color to the idea.
Dog and Wolf
Two Australian wild dogs Gagged to-
gether did not look particularly amia-
BILE. ''It Is impossible to domesticate e
them to live happily with other ami
mals--they are so destructive. In
Australia they kill sheep for the fun of
the thing-sometimes 80 or so at a
time" Two Russian wolves looked ex-
tremelyS like dogs. "Yes," said Mr..
Tyrwhitt-Drake, but you can always
tell the difference by the tails \
dog raises its tail. VOLTS is always
dropping"
The timber wolf fom North Amer
lea is another rather unattractive crea-
ture II attacks you from behind.
Turn your back. and it will be upon
You like a shot" The African porcu-
pine, projecting its huge spiky black
and white bristles, also attacks from
behind.
The Russian wild eagle, with claws