REMINISCENCES FROM THE MELBOURNE ZOO. 
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docile and friendly that all the keepers had a kindly word and a pat for 
him as they passed his cage. He would press himself along the bars like 
a cat in his eagerness for a rub, and there was an expression on his face 
that seemed to say: “Come and pet me!” Consequently they all petted 
him, and he was something of a general favorite. It was approaching 
Christmas time one year, and the keepers were actively at work re-paint- 
ing cages and generally giving the place a good spring cleaning. One 
Watching for the meat man. 
day three or four of them were engaged in refurbishing the hyaenas’ 
cages, and this particular animal took a lively interest in the whole pro- 
ceedings, apparently quite pleased to have so much company about. 
“Isn’t this thing nice and quiet?” asked one of the men, as he paused 
in his work and stood stroking the hyaena. While petting the creature 
he noticed that some sawdust had lodged along the central bar of the 
cage, and, knowing that it would stick there permanently if not brushed 
off the wet paint, he thoughtlessly began to flick it off with his fingers 
