File:American homes and gardens (1909) (17967048479).jpg

Title: American homes and gardens
Identifier: americanhomesgar61909newy (find matches)
Year: 1905 (1900s)
Authors:
Subjects: Architecture, Domestic; Landscape gardening
Publisher: New York : Munn and Co
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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\:-s^^'-^-S^- . A prominent member of the Buffalo herd in the Bronx Two gentlemanly European brown bears in the Bronx Park Zoo member of the family shown in the illustration does not belie these characteristics, notwithstanding that his object appears to be merely the peaceful acquisition of a peanut in the keeper's hand. A great deal of unnecessary sentiment is unquestionably wasted on the subject of animals in captivity. If animals are truly thinking beings it is often supposed that they suffer many real as well as many imaginary harms, injuries. Nature writers to the contrary, it still remains true that we do not know what animals may think—if they think at all—on any subject. It is impossible, therefore, to certify as to their views on captivity with even a tolerable degree of certainty. We know, of course, that even in the most favorable condi- tions the circumstances attending captivity in menageries and collections of animals do not approach the reality of existence in more than the most casual manner. But against this is to be placed the great fact that animals in captivity are, as a rule, better care for, have better quarters, have more abundant food supplied with quite unnatural regularity, than any wild beast can possibly have. Doubtless it is true enough that the animals so situated do not know this. Their natural state is free, and without their natural freedom even human care and regular food can not successfully compete. Creature comforts, indeed, sometimes seem quite secondary to wild animals, who often enough refuse to recognize or value the care that is lavished upon them. Modern zoological science, as typified and exemplified in the modern zoological garden, rises as completely to the re- quirements of natural living as it now seems possible to do. This is particularly true of the garden of the New York Zoological Society. We have, at all events, no reason to assume that the animals there housed are not treated with the most intelligent care.
Text Appearing After Image:
Dewey, one of the fine lions in Central Park Jennie in an effective pose

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