PREFACE 



My father, by his will, devised all his books, papers, 

 writings, drawings, and scientific publications to me for 

 the purpose of publishing his personal experiences with 

 wild animals in captivity, and interesting anecdotes, etc., 

 connected with his life. 



I may say that the materials for this work, when placed 

 in my hands, were in such a state of chaos that I began 

 to despair of ever being able to get them into any form 

 for publication, but by careful study of the fragmentary 

 papers and rough notes, I have, I hope, succeeded in my 

 humble efforts to bring together an amount of readable 

 matter which may prove interesting, useful, and instructive 

 to the reader. 



Much of the matter herein published appeared in Land 

 aiid Water, The Field, Proceedings of the Zoological Society, 

 Punch, and other publications, either anonymously, or 

 under his nom-de-plume " D. A. B.," and others in his own 

 name. 



I must take this opportunity of acknowledging the 

 kindness of the Council of the Zoological Society of 

 London, of the Proprietors of Land and Water, of The 

 Field, and of Punch, for allowing me to reproduce my 

 father's papers, etc. To Dr. P. L. Sclater and F. H. 

 Waterhouse, Esq., and to my brother-in-law Mr. Albert 



