INTERESTING ITEMS.

Bush Advocate, Volume XVI, Issue 582, 5 December 1904, Page 7

INTERESTING ITEMS.

ANIMALS AND MUSIC.

Experiments on animals with music, says Science Sittings, have had varying results. At the London Zoo it was found that the moment the monkeys heard a lively air they were quiet, and listened intently. The elephants took -no notice whatever, nor did the rhinoceros seem to care whether he had music for dinner time or not. The hippopotamus, however, rose, wagged his huge head from side to side,, and again sank back into his pool. The lion seemed greatly excited, rushing against the bars of his cage and then pacing up and 1 down until the music ceased. The pumas jumped up at the first notes of "Honie, Sweet Honie," and came forward with signs of satisfaction. A coyote came up to the bars of its;cage, and when the music stopped put out its paw as if begging for more melody. The old tiger seemed to listen with pleasure to the sweet, low melodies, but roared '.at the louder and livelier airs. The crocodile appeared to listen with pleasure, opening his mouth and sighing or gurgling.

In Paris, when two musicians played before the hears, they looked all around .them, ■ scented the air, and then walked up towards the ' musicians and paced up and down the pit. The condor seemed most powerfully moved hy the melodies. The eagles were aroused only at the most strident notes of the flute, remaining dignifiedly statuesque at the reat of the music. The. penguins immediately marched around the yard in time to the music. The kangaroo was much startled, and seating himself on his tail, immediately took the attitude of a boxer ready for all

comers.