HAMLYN'S MENAGERIE MAGAZINE. 
97 
of animals usually kept in heated houses are much 
better off in outdoor yards, with warm, but un- 
heated sleeping- quarters. Such accommodations 
should! be provided for the Siberian tiger, some 
of the lions, and other animals now occupying 
quraters in crowded heated houses. The health 
of these animals would unquestionably be im- 
proved and their lives prolonged under such con- 
ditions, and the space they now occupy in heated 
houses would become available for other animals 
really needing such accommodations. A series 
of outdoor, unhealed cages and shelters should 
also be provided to replace the series of unsightly 
old wooden cages along the hilltop north of the 
bird house. 
(To be continued.) 
THE BRISTOL & WEST OF ENGLAND 
ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. 
The Annual General Meeting of the Bristol 
Clifton, and West of England Zoological Society 
was held yesterday, Dr. A. J. Harrison presid- 
ing. 
The Chairman reminded his hearers that they 
had botanical gardens, and referred to interest- 
ing aspects of some of the growths. He then 
dealt with the statement of accounts, which on 
the side of income and assets showed a total 
of ;£9,402 8s. 3d. compared with £8, 145 Os. 2d. 
in the previous year; whilst in respect of expendi- 
ture and liabilities, including a balance of 
£1,755 17s. 4d., the total was ,£9,402 8s. 3d. 
against ^"8,415 Os. 2d. He thanked numerous 
ionors for gifts in kind, and moved the adoption 
)f .the accounts, which was seocnded bv Capt. 
H. Bridges, and carried. 
Mr. Mervyn King, in moving' thanks to Dr. 
A. J,. Harrison and his re-election as treasurer, 
said he devoted an immense amount of time and 
thought to the Gardens, and the public owed 
iim a great deal more than they realised. (Hear, 
xear.) Mr. King added that through not being 
fible to hold the usual . fetes they had piled up 
'ieir financial debt, and there was also a con- 
iderable mortgage upon the property. The Gar- 
dens were started with the view of promoting 
the knowledg-e of animals and plants and for 
ie reacreation of the people. The committee 
tade every effort to popularisie the Gardens, 
ind as one of the trustees he trusted they would 
continue in the same course even if thev had : to 
lcrease their debt, though he hoped thev would 
lot attempt to increase the mortgage. The 
citizens of Bristol lhad always supported the 
hardens, and he hoped that when the war was 
>ver the publi cgenerally would rallv to the sup- 
sort of the Gardens. (Hear, hear.)' 
Captain Bridges seconded, and the resolution 
was adopted. 
Dr. Harrison, in responding, mentioned that 
an Old Cliftonian, Mr. C. F. McNiven, who was 
at the College in the time of Dr. Percival's head- 
mastership, had written from Pewsey, saying he 
had pleasant recollections of visits to the Gar- 
dens, and enclosing a cheque for £o. (Applause.) 
The Treasurer expressed pery hearty thanks for 
the gift. 
The retiring officials and members of the 
Committee were re-elected. 
WILD ANIMALS IN CAPTIVITY. 
By Lord Tavistock. 
Warblington House, 
Havant, Hants. 
April 4th, 1918. 
Dear Sir, 
I : notice in the Magazine you kindly sent me 
a discussion as to whether it is, or is not, humane 
to keep wild animals in captivity. As I have had 
more experience with foreign birds, and beasts 
than most men of my age in England, I send 
you my views on the subject for what they may 
be worth. 
When you find two groups of people holding 
entirely contradictory opinions on a certain sub- 
ject, it generally means that both have an ele- 
ment of right on their side, but both only take 
in half the picture. In this case we have the 
rather inexperienced humanitarian seeing in every 
captive animal "one of the saddest sights imagin- 
able," while the keen zoologist or importer sees 
the inmates of a zoo living in greater security 
and comfort than they would enjoy in a natural 
state. Both are right and both are: wrong. 
The average zoological gardens contains a 
mixture of good and evil — some of the animals 
enjoying as perfect health, and are as happy 
and contented as any of their free relations. 
Others owing- to insufficient or unsuitable food, 
or lack of exercise, are sickly, suffering and 
miserable. This latter class is far too large, and 
it would be well if all bodies managing zoological 
gardens realized that it is their primary duty not 
to keep any animal for which they cannot provide 
the minimum of space necessary to health and 
enjoyment of life; they ougtit also to give each 
animal food sufficient in quantity and variety to 
maintain it in the finest possible condition, and 
not try and make out that the soil and climate 
