40 A HAND-BOOS OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS 



Length of ltfe in captivity. 

 One lived as many as ten years in the garden. 

 Treatment in captivity. 



Housing. — As the habits of this animal are nocturnal, it should be 

 treated like a galago, and kept in a specially quiet place. If this is 

 impossible, a small box for the animal to retire during the day should 

 be provided. 



Food. — Eggs, small birds, fruits, bread, young shoots and leaves. 

 A boiled egg, two plantains, a little bread or biscuit soaked in a little 

 milk, constitute its ordinary diet. It is fed only in the evening. 



Observations on the habits of a Slow Loris. 

 It sleeps the whole day, with the head downward, rolled up 

 almost like a ball. If disturbed it raises its head with a slow deliberate 

 movement, as if with great effort, opens its eyes for a moment, 

 utters a subdued crackling sound, and then rolls itself up again in the 

 same slow and deliberate manner. It becomes most active towards 

 evening when the time for feeding arrives, but its movements are always 

 slow and measured. It is very apt to bite when being caught. 



(47) THE LION. 



(FELIS LEO— Linn.) 

 Hindi — Sher-Bubbur. Bengali — Singha. 



Lions vary a great deal in colour, size, and expression ; some have 

 a deep red chestnut-brown colour; others again are pale yellowish 

 brown. The colour of the mane also varies in different specimens : 

 in some it is a pale yellow ; in others nearly black. Faint spots and 

 irregular bands may be seen on the stomach and sides of adolescent 

 and adult animals : the lighter the colour of the animal, the more 

 visible are these spots and bands. In some the muzzle is more pointed 

 than in others. 



Hab. — Africa and South-West Asia ; Indian lions are now only 

 found in the Gir Forest in Kattywar, Bombay Presidency. 



Length of life in captivity. 

 The longest period during which a lion has been exhibited in 

 this garden is ten years ; this, however, does not represent the maximum 

 length of its life in captivity, as the animal was sent away in exchange 

 while still in the enjoyment of health and vigour. A pair of young 

 animals obtained in 1884 have long since passed into the adult stage 

 and are still flourishing. 



Treatment in health. 

 Housing. — The lions and other large carnivorous animals are kept in 

 the Burdwan House. It is a semicircular building, 250 feet in leugth 

 and 32 feet in breadth, divided into eleven double- chambered dens, one 

 in front of the other. The inner chambers, of which the largest is 18 feet 

 by 12 and the smallest 15 by 12, are enclosed on all sides with solid brick 



