After fifty years of practical experience with wild animals of many species, I am reluctantly compelled to give the prize for greatest cunning and foresight in self-preservation to the common brown rat,—the accursed "domestic" rat that has adopted ... Read more

After fifty years of practical experience with wild animals of many species, I am reluctantly compelled to give the prize for greatest cunning and foresight in self-preservation to the common brown rat,—the accursed "domestic" rat that has adopted man as his perpetual servant, and regards man's goods as his lawful prey. When all other land animals have been exterminated from the earth, the brown rat will remain, to harry and to rob the Last Man.” “Among free animals it is against the moral and ethical codes of all species of vertebrates for the strong to bully and oppress the weak; but it is almost everywhere a common rule of action with about ten per cent of the human race.” “The author’s international reputation as an authority on all matters connected with wild animals is an assurance that the facts set forth are scientific….The inherent interest of the subject is greatly enhanced by the author’s delightful style. It is one of those books that tempt one to read on and on into the ‘wee small hours’ – just one chapter more – and then just one more.” -The American Journal of Clinical Medicine “One of the most interesting books ever written.” -Chicago Tribune “If a reader goes through the two pages of Mr. Hornaday’s preface, it is ten to one that he will buy the book, read it, and urge it upon his children, if he has any, and if not, upon someone else’s children.” -The Freeman “One of the most interesting and thoroughly enjoyable books of natural history which has appeared for a long time.” -New York Tribune “Doctor Hornaday would have made a great Noah. From what we gather of the gentle skipper of the Ark, the two men have much in common. And Doctor Hornaday is almost as well known; his name is familiar, not only to thousands of visitors to the New York Zoological Park, but to hosts who have read his books. It is probable that if a vote were taken the blue ribbon as the most popular Zoological Park Director in the world. He has occupied his position for about 26 years, during this time having been engaged in the study of wild animals in captivity. This present book is the result of his experience. It is packed with first hand stories, disclosing the habits of his numerous boarders, their mentality, and the various emotions and traits shown by close observation….Strictly speaking, it is not a scientific book, and is not intended to be. In a sense it is greater….His book is a very human book, and if we are to understand it as it deserves to be understood, we must separate it from purely technical works, and regard it as one of those rare books in which we are made to feel the unity of nature; that Man himself is not alone a spectator, carrying about with him the exclusive privilege of patronizing the rest of creation, but is only a fraction of the whole.” -The World's Work “An insight into the minds and manners of animals that is possessed by few men today. What he has discovered about his charges in all these years he has compiled into a fascinating volume that is brimful of anecdotes and adventures….No moving picture could outdo the graphic description that Dr. Hornaday’s pen achieves.” -Country Life “Few individuals are more competent to explain animal intelligence than Mr. Hornaday. He tells how animals talk, which are the most intelligent, of the wisdom of the serpent, the manlikeness of the chimpanzee, of animal morals, of their plays and pastimes, and of the outcasts and criminals among them.” -Publishers Weekly Less