18 OUT OF DOORS. 



can endure such a charge with a firm hand and un- 

 winking eye, and very much less contempt for the 

 native attendants who in such cases always throw away 

 their guns and run for their lives. The whole of these 

 dens are kept at a comfortable temperature by hot 

 pipes, and the animals seem as contented as in the hot 

 summer time. 



Two lions, however, in neighbouring cages became 

 angry with each otiier, or perhaps jealous ; and putting 

 their mouths to the floor just by the wooden partition, 

 began to roar against each other to the utmost of their 

 power. It was a grand exhibition, and would alone have 

 been worth the trouble of the visit. The threatening 

 sounds seemed to reverberate through every nerve, the 

 whole building trembled as if shaken by rolling thunder, 

 and the rest of the beasts sank into respectful silence 

 while the kings of the forest lifted their mighty voices. 

 No wonder that at the sound of the lion's roar the 

 beasts of burden break their halters and flee in terror 

 over the plain ; but it is a wonder that the ostrich, the 

 meekest looking of birds, should roar so exactly like 

 the lion that even the native hunter cannot always 

 distinguish the one from the other. 



As if intended to produce a striking contrast to the 

 lions, tigers, and leopards existing in a temporary hot- 

 house, and sheltered from the chilling blasts by a screen 

 erected expressly for the purpose, the polar bears live 

 within ten yards of these heated localities, rejoicing 

 in the cold, and probably thinking of the ice-fields and 



