Wild animals in captivity : being an account of the habits, food, management and treatment of the beasts and birds at the 'Zoo,' with reminiscences and anecdotes

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A. D. BARTLETT. ABOUT 18/1.

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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 ancl Water , The Field, Proceedings of the Zoological Society, Punch, and other publications, either anonymously, or under his nom-de-phtmc “ 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

PREFACE

Goodwin, F.Z.S., I am greatly indebted for much valuable assistance in carrying out my father’s wishes.

The principal illustrations — some of which have been taken from E. Griset’s original fancy drawings, now in my possession — of events which have from time to time occurred in the Zoological Gardens, are by Mr. A. J. Elwes.

I have a great number of letters in which the writers ask a large and varied series of interesting zoological questions of my father, and it has occurred to me that at some future period I might be able to compile this correspondence by giving the questions and the answers thereto, provided I could secure the loan of the answers, or copies of them, from those persons in whose possession they are.

I should, therefore, feel very grateful if a copy, or the original, of all the interesting letters written by my father could be sent to me by the recipients for reproduction among other material which I may think of publishing hereafter.

It will be understood that all those who so desire shall have the original letters returned to them.

In conclusion, I would mention that I have ventured to record in this volume my own observations and remarks, which I have thought would be interesting, not only to those who were intimately associated with my late father, but also to those who knew him simply by repute.

Edward Bartlett.

March 1S9S.

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