NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 103 



joyote loves his plump and toothsome body; the "granger" 

 hates him for the multitude of his holes, and puts spoonfuls 

 of poisoned wheat into his burrow. 



THE BEAR DENS, No. 37. 



The bears of the world form a very interesting group; 

 and when its representatives are properly installed 

 in large, open yards, with abundant sunlight, fresh air and 

 room for exercise they develop finely, live happily, and 

 furnish endless entertainment. Under proper conditions, 

 bears are cheerful animals, full of the playful spirit that 

 robs captivity of its chief terror. To confine bears singly, 

 in small cages, or in wet-floored, high- walled dungeons, or 

 in the unspeakable "pits" of mediaeval type, is a sin 

 against Nature. 



The Zoological Society has put forth considerable effort 

 in constructing a series of nine large Bear Dens which pro- 

 vide ideal conditions for their inmates. Bears do not need 

 buildings! Their habits call for large, open yards, properly 

 situated, with snug and dry sleeping-dens attached, to 

 which they can retire whenever they wish. To them, 

 masonry walls are worse than useless, for they cut off sun- 

 light and promote dampness; but rocks and trees upon 

 which to climb are very beneficial. In warm weather, all 

 bears are fond of bathing, and a bathing pool in each cage 

 is very necessary. 



It is cruelty to animals for visitors to throw peanuts, or 

 food of any kind, into our bear dens ; and it is strictly for- 

 bidden. All persons who do not wish to be reprimanded in 

 public, or arrested, are advised to refrain from it. Teasing 

 with food always irritates bears, sets them to fighting, spoils 

 their dispositions and renders them dangerous to the keepers 

 who have to go in zvith them! All visitors who are laic- 

 abiding, and friendly to the Zoological Society, are requested 

 to assist the keepers and policemen in preventing lawless per- 

 sons from throwing food into the bear dens. A stern repri- 

 mand often prevents serious trouble. 



The bears of North America form four well-defined groups, 

 as follows : 



The Polar Bear. The Alaskan Brown Bears. 



The Grizzly Bears. The Black Bears, and their allies. 



Up to this date (May 1, 1907), 23 species and subspecies 

 have been described, and it is reasonably certain that much 



