Zig - Zags at the Zoo. By Arthur Morrison and J. A.
Shepherd. (George Newnes.)—It would be difficult to decide which is the more essential part of Zig Zags at the Zoo,—the pen or the pencil.
They are complementary to each other, and both are observant, humorous, and accurate. Mr. Morrison has a keen sense of 'humour, and Mr. Shepherd has an equally keen sense of the ludicrous, and between them they make every animal provide some amusement. Some birds—and birds furnish Mr. Shepherd with his happiest efforts—seem born to become comedians on the smallest provocations, and on these he exercises the art of carica- ture with great success. He has certainly a most decided gift for true caricature, and exaggerates prominent features with much skill. Every word of the letterpress is readable, and there is no small amount of acute observation conveyed in the rambling remarks on various creatures' characteristics. It would be super- fluous to praise or single out any particular drawing; but the bears, perhaps, show Mr. Shepherd's skill, and various birds his mastery of the art of suggestive caricature. Zig-Zags at the Zoo is a necessary volume to all people who are fond of animals and gifted with a sense of humour.
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