PREFACE 
My father, by his will, devised all his books, papers, 
writings, drawings, and scientific publications to me for 
the purpose of publishing his personal experiences with 
wild animals in captivity, and interesting anecdotes, etc., 
connected with his life. 
I may say that the materials for this work, when placed 
in my hands, were in such a state of chaos that I began 
to despair of ever being able to get them into any form 
for publication, but by careful study of the fragmentary 
papers and rough notes, I have, I hope, succeeded in my 
humble efforts to bring together an amount of readable 
matter which may prove interesting, useful, and instructive 
to the reader. 
Much of the matter herein published appeared in Land 
and Water, The Field, Proceedings of the Zoological Society, 
Punch, and other publications, either anonymously, or 
under his nom-de-plume D. A. B.,” and others in his own 
name. 
I must take this opportunity of acknowledging the 
kindness of the Council of the Zoological Society of 
London, of the Proprietors of Land and Water, of The 
Field, and of Punch, for allowing me to reproduce my 
father s papers, etc. To Dr. P. L. Sclater and F. H. 
Waterhouse, Esq., and to my brother-in-law Mr. Albert 
