336 
A YEAR AT THE ZOO 
eggs probably account for twice that number of 
breakfasts supplied to the smaller occupants of the 
houses. The large carnivora, of which the collection 
contains so many and such fine examples, require 
stronger food, and are not stinted in their supply. 
The figures in this case suggest some interesting 
reflections on the ravages said to be due to wild 
beasts among flocks and game. No doubt these 
creatures, notably wolves and wild dogs, occasionally 
destroy more than they require to satisfy their hunger. 
But usually a lion or a tiger kills one animal, and 
feeds upon it so long as it lasts ; after which it kills 
another victim, and no more. The total of carcasses 
eaten by all the lions, tigers, bears, hyenas, wolves, 
leopards, and other large carnivora in the Gardens 
during the year amounts to 230 horses and 152 goats. 
If the number consumed in captivity bears any pro- 
portion to the loss of cattle caused by these creatures 
when wild, the reports of natives must be much ex- 
aggerated. The fishmonger’s bill is naturally a heavy 
one, w'hen not only seals, otters, and sea-lions, which 
will eat nothing else, but also numbers of piscivorous 
birds, and even the polar-bears, have to be provided 
with fresh flounders, whiting, and conger-eels daily, — 
36,000 lbs. of whiting, 10,000 lbs. of “rough fish,” 
630 quarts of shrimps, and 2000 lbs. of flounders 
were consumed by the seals and other aquatic creatures. 
The live gudgeons, whose pursuit and capture form 
the daily excitement of the penguins in their glass- 
fronted tank, do not appear in the list of food provided, 
