

PREFACE. 



In the Resolution of the Government of Bengal on 

 the Report of the Committee for the management of the 

 Zoological Garden, Calcutta, for the year 1888-89, the 

 following passage occurred : — 



"As the Zoological Gardens have now been in existence for 13 

 years (since 1875-76), it is presumable that many events have 

 taken place among the large number of animals, birds, &c, 

 exhibited from time to time which would be of interest to the 

 scientific world and to persons interested in zoology ; also, that 

 considerable experience must have been gained in the manage- 

 ment of animals, birds, &c, in confinement, and their treat- 

 ment in sickness, which would be of practical use to the 

 managing bodies of other Zoological Gardens and to individuals 

 who have private collections. Sir Steuart Bayley is strongly 

 of opinion that it is incumbent on all persons who keep 

 animals in captivity to avoid, as far as possible, anything like 

 cruelty (such as want of space, or air, proper food or cleanli- 

 ness) in their treatment, and he recognizes that the Zoological 

 Gardens' Managing Committee set an excellent example in 

 this respect. He would venture to suggest that from the 

 records of the Committee and the recollections of their able 

 Superintendent, it would be possible for them to produce 

 a hand-book which might be of great use to the numerous 

 nobles and other persons who on a smaller scale keep collec- 

 tions of animals or birds in captivity." 



At a meeting of the Committee on April 2nd, 1890, it 

 was determined that a Sub-Committee be appointed to give 

 effect to the above Resolution. 



This hand-book has accordingly been prepared by Babu 

 R. B. Sanyal, the Superintendent of the garden, on a plan 

 drawn up by the Sub-Committee. Mr. C. E. Buckland, c.s., 

 has supervised the preparation of the work. Its principal 

 aim has been to collect the experience gained in the Calcutta 



