January, 1909 
AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 1S 
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A prominent member of the Buffalo herd in the Bronx 
member of the family shown in the illustration does not 
belie these characteristics, notwithstanding that his object 
appears to be merely the peaceful acquisition of a peanut 
in the keeper’s hand. 
A great deal of unnecessary sentiment is unquestionably 
wasted on the subject of animals in captivity. If animals 
are truly thinking beings it is often supposed that they suffer 
many real as well as many imaginary harms, injuries. Nature 
writers to the contrary, it still remains true that we do not 
know what animals may think—if they think at all—on any 
subject. It is impossible, therefore, to certify as to their 
views on captivity with even a tolerable degree of certainty. 
We know, of course, that even in the most favorable condi- 
tions the circumstances attending captivity in menageries and 
collections of animals do not approach the reality of existence 
in more than the most casual manner. But against this is to 
be placed the great fact that animals in captivity are, as a 
Two gentlemanly European brown bears in the Bronx Park Zoo 
rule, better care for, have better quarters, have more 
abundant food supplied with quite unnatural regularity, than 
any wild beast can possibly have. 
Doubtless it is true enough that the animals so situated 
do not know this. Their natural state is free, and without 
their natural freedom even human care and regular food 
can not successfully compete. Creature comforts, indeed, 
sometimes seem quite secondary to wild animals, who often 
enough refuse to recognize or value the care that is lavished 
upon them. 
Modern zoological science, as typified and exemplified in 
the modern zoological garden, rises as completely to the re- 
quirements of natural living as it now seems possible to do. 
This is particularly true of the garden of the New York 
Zoological Society. We have, at all events, no reason to 
assume that the animals there housed are not treated with 
the most intelligent care. 
Dewey, one of the fine lions in Central Park 
Jennie in an effective pose 
