NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 



73 



CHEETAH. 



wrought iron frames. This is considered by the Zoological 

 Society a great improvement upon the heavy bar-work 

 hitherto in universal use for cage fronts in lion houses. 



The space above the sleeping dens has been developed 

 as a sunlit balcony, whereon the animals will be very con- 

 spicuous, even to large crowds of visitors. 



Jungle-green tiling, impervious to moisture and dirt, is 

 used_ as a b ack-ground for the animals. 



TThe Lionl is an animal of perpetual interest, but like 

 eVray trrtTer noteworthy wild animal, its haunts are con- 

 stantly being claimed by civilization, and its members are 

 rapidly decreasing. It is not a difficult matter to exter- 

 minate or drive out from a given territory any large and 

 conspicuous quadruped, and at the present rate of settle- 

 ment and industrial development in Africa, it may easily 

 come to pass that by the end of the present century, the 

 king of beasts will be without a home, outside of zoological 

 collections. 



Like everything great, the Lion has his share of critics 

 and detractors. A few writers have asserted that because he 

 does not stalk through his native forests with head proudly 

 erect, like a dram-major on parade, he is mean-spirited and 

 cowardly. But the beast of noble countenance believes in 



