LITTER OF LIONS

AUCKLAND QUADRUPLETS

THREE STILL SURVIVE

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, September' 4. Repeating her performance of two years ago, the lioness Trixy at the Auckland Zoo has again given birth to quadruplets. Unfortunately she has since rolled on one and only three re-1 main. Lions breed well in captivity, but the birth of four cubs in a. single litter is extremely unusual, and has seldom been reported from any of the zoos throughout the world. The normal litter is two, invariably male and female, but occasionally three are j born, the third often being a weakI lingTrixy's surviving cubs are all well, and every care is being taken by the zoo officials not to disturb the lioness for fear that in anger she might hurt her offspring. Their sire, Victor, has not yet been allowed to join them, and it will be at least a week before they will be on view to the public. Both about 18 years old, Trixy and Victor have spent most of their lives at the zoo. They have had seven litters, two consisting of four cubs, one of three, and four of two, a total of 19. The lioness, is usually a good mother, and takes great care of her young. Much interest in his family is also generally shown by the male. As parents, lions and their consorts compare very favourably with tigers and leopards, which are poor parents.