192 THE WILDERNESS AND JUNGLE 



the giraffe is by no means deficient in that 

 sense. Still, it always sees the enemy first. 



It is usual to post notices in menageries 

 requesting that no food be given to the 

 giraffes. This is done at our own Zoo. It 

 is certain that the authorities do not discourage 

 the practice without good reason, for, so long 

 as the recipients of such gifts do not suffer, 

 there is no objection to the public amusing 

 itself and at the same time paying some of the 

 food-bill. The giraffe, however, is a delicate 

 and costly animal, and care has to be taken 

 with its digestion. At the same time it is 

 a very fastidious creature, feeding in captivity 

 on the best clover hay, with an occasional 

 onion, bunch of tares, or lump of sugar. I 

 have been told that one, at any rate, was 

 known to refuse an apple out of which its 

 keeper had taken a bite. Without taking the 

 responsibility of this reflection on the keeper's 

 teeth, I should think it very likely that a dis- 

 criminating giraffe might take exception to 

 the taint of tobacco. At any rate, it is to be 

 hoped that, even on Bank Holidays, visitors 

 will respect the notice and keep their buns and 

 nuts for less delicate stomachs, as the loss of 

 a giraffe is a very serious item in the year's 

 accounts. 



Out on the rolling veldt, or in the cooler 

 glades of the African forest, the giraffe is a 



