Sentence:  The doctor , with the air of a man whose professional <WSD>interests</WSD> have found scope , drew Alex 's attention to those excellences which might otherwise have escaped him : the fine color in comb and wattles , the length and quality of neck and saddle hackles , the firm , wide spread of the toes , and a rare justness in the formation of the ear lappets . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something