43 
northern seas. They live on fish, seals, and blubber, and 
being perfectly at home in the water, pursue their prey and 
capture it in its native element. The following account is 
given by an Arctic explorer of the cunning displayed by this 
animal in procuring food: — 
“The Bear, on seeing his intended prey, gets quietly into 
the water and swims until to leeward of him, whence by short 
dives he silently makes his approach, and so arranges his 
distance that at the last dive he comes to the spot where the 
seal is lying. If the poor animal attempts to escape by rolling 
into the water, he falls into the bear’s clutches; if, on the con- 
trary, he lies still, his destroyer makes a powerful spring, kills 
him on the ice, and devours him at leisure.” 
In captivity these animals live mostly on bread. The pair 
in the Garden were brought from Hamburg in December, 
1876. 
No. II.— THE LAKE. 
The Lake, used in winter for skating, is occupied in summer 
by a number of aquatic birds, mostly belonging to the order 
Anseres. The following are usually to be seen : — 
The Mute Swan {Cygnus olor), Europe. 
The Black Swan {^Cygnus atratus), Australia. 
The Magpie Goose {Anseraiias melanoleucus) , Australia. 
The White-fronted Goose (Anser ccerulescens), North 
America. 
The Chinese Goose (Anser cygnoides), China. 
The Brant Goose (Bernicla brenta), Europe and North 
America. 
The Canada Goose (Bernicla canadensis'), North America. 
The Dusky or Black Duck (Anas obscura), North 
America. 
The Pintail Duck (Dafila acuta), Europe and North 
America. 
The American Widgeon (Mareca americancC), North 
America. 
The Summer or Wood Duck (Aix sponsa). North America. 
