Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 September 1901 — MUSIC AND A TIGER. [ARTICLE]

MUSIC AND A TIGER.

Certain Instruments Annoyed the Animal, Others Pleased It. A student of animal habits recently made some interesting experiments with music at the Zoo. A violin player approached a sleeping tiger, and at the sound of the music the tiger awoke, and, raising its head without moving its- body, looked for some time with fixed attention at the player. It remained for awhile in a fine attitude listening to the music, and then, making a peculiar sound that in tiger language does duty for purring, it lay down again and dozed. The soft music was played on while the great beast lay as if lulled'to sleep. The violin was then put aside for the piccolo. At the first note of the new instrument the tiger sprangto its feet, and rushed up and down the cage, shaking its head and ears,and lashing its tail from side to side. As the notes became still louder and more piercing the tiger bounded across the cage, reared on its hind feet, and exhibited the utmost displeasure. The piccolo was stopped, and a very soft air played upon the flute. The difference in effect was seen at once. The tiger ceased to rush about, and the leaps subsided to a gentle walk, until the animal came to the bars, and, standing still and quiet once more, listened with pleasure to the music. —London Answers.