The ibex is an animal of the goat kind, and inhabits the mountainous districts of the south of Europe, it is the most graceful of all its tribes; it is extremely active. It is very wild, and difficult to be shot, as it always keeps on the highest points. The horns of the ibex are large and knotty, its skin is of a yellow color, and its beard short and black. The chase of the ibex, although it is not a very powerful animal, is attended, at times, with considerable danger; it has been known, when driven hard, to run full-but at the huntsman, and force him over the rock, although in doing so, it has at the same time, sacrificed its own life, falling headlong with its pursuer. The ibex is said to be a short-lived animal. Its flesh is much esteemed, and its skin is very thin. Below is a picture of a bear pursuing a male and female ibex. [Illustration] [Illustration: JERBOA.] JERBOA. This odd-looking creature has been also called the two-legged rat; its fore-legs being so extremely small that they can hardly be seen, while the hind-legs are of enormous length. The tail is long and tufted at the end. Its general appearance closely resembles the rat. Instead of walking or running on all fours, it leaps, or hops, on the hind feet, making great bounds, and only uses the fore-paw for burrowing, or for carrying food to its mouth, like a squirrel. These curious little animals live in holes which they dig under ground. They are gentle, harmless, and not at all timid. Their dwelling places are very quiet, for they never fight or quarrel with one another, like some very bad children I could tell you about. [Illustration] [Illustration: KANGAROO.] KANGAROO. This curious animal, called a Kangaroo, hops on his hind-legs, which are very long; his fore-legs are short, and he has a very long hard tail. Kangaroos herd together in great numbers, for they are very timid creatures. At the least alarm they will run away, and leap over high bushes. They use their short fore feet for digging, and putting food in their mouths. They feed upon vegetables and grass, and do not eat flesh. The mother carries her young ones about her in a sort of pouch. The kangaroo is brought from a very large island, a great many thousand miles from here. We have some in this country, which you may see by going to the Menagerie, where the keeper will tell you a great many stories about them. Their nature is not at all fierce. The picture below shows the manner in which the kangaroo leaps. [Illustration] [Illustration: LEOPARD.] LEOPARD.