Cornell University
Library
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http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924104225598
CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
3 1924 104 225 598
Australian Grass Parsakbbt
(Melopsittacus acdulatus^
Rose Cockatoo
(Cacatua roaeicapiUa)
Rose-Ringed Parrakeet
CPaleomis docilia)
Red and Blue Macaw
(Ara macao)
Yellow-Headed Amazon
(Amazona oratrix)
African Gray Parrot
(Psittacus erithacus)
Aimiffl BotsfoFca Comgtock
Assistant Professor Nature-Study, Cornell University
Author Handbook of Nature-Study, Bird Note
Books, How to Keep Bees
SECOND EDITION
ITHACA, NEW YORK
THE COMSTOCK PUBLISHING COMPANY
191.5
'O, Sb"-!^
COPYRIGHT 1914
BY
THE COM STOCK PUBLISHING CO
PRESS OF W. F. HUMPHREY
GENEVA, N. Y.
Cornell University Library
SF 413.C73 1915
The pet book
3 1924 001 170 681
Mv Special ^et anb JJamesafee
PREFACE
THE keeping of pets should provide the child
with excellent training for making him respon-
sible. To attain this he should have the entire care of
the dependent creature. The chief advantage of
this peculiar training and responsibility lies in the
fact that the child loves the pet, and there is no
training in thoughtfulness for others so educating
as that attained through loving service.
If the child tires of a pet, it should be given to
someone else, or chloroformed. It is a cruel act
to make a pet dependent upon a careless or unloving
master, and it teaches a child cruelty and hardness
of heart to be obliged to give unloving care.
Pets are greatly needed in most homes these
days, for this very purpose of developing responsi-
bility in children, by giving them duties of real
importance. In our present civilization there seems
little enough to give a child the training that was
so valuable to us who were fortunate enough to
spend our childhood upon the farm, where a thousand
little duties were constantly calling to us, and which,
very early, impressed upon us the fact that this
world did not exist for our selfish pleasure, but rather
as an opportunity for us to exercise the helping hand;
and that our importance in it was measured by our
usefulness.
The keeping of pets should also be an education
to a child in the matter of interesting him in other
countries, through a study of his pets in their natural
surroundings. Thus he shotdd be spurred on to
the study of natural history, and come to feel that
The Pet Book Preface
his interests are world-wide. The parrot shotdd
make him anxious to read of Africa and Austraha
or Brazil. The Guinea-pig, of Peru; and the
love-birds of Madagascar.
In this book a brief outline is given, first, of the
creature, or its ancestors, in native surroundings,
and how life is carried on there. This is for the
purpose of making the child more intelligent in his
treatment of the pet.
It has not been within the scope of so small a
book to discuss extensively breeds and varieties.
If a child is to make a specialty of dogs, cats, guinea-
pigs, or canaries, or any other creatures, he should
have the books devoted to this one subject. A
carefully selected bibliography is added to each
subject, that gives the names of special books
dealing with these animals. Nor is it within the
scope of this book to deal, except in the most casual
way, with the diseases of animals. Plenty of sug-
gestions for hygiene are given in each case, and if the
pet falls sick, a physician or a veterinarian should be
consulted.
The mocking bird is not included because of the
recent law, which prohibits the use of this bird as a
caged pet. Undoubtedly there are many creatures
used as pets which are not mentioned, since only
the more common ones coiild be treated in so small a
volume.
The special value of this volume, in the opinion
of the author, is the help it gives in telling children
how to take care of the little wild creatures they
bring home as treasures captured during their
woodlan4 walks and which usually die because of
ignorance of their needs on the part of their captors.
This was the most difficult part of the book to write
Preface The Pet Book
for there is nowhere on record rational treatment
for this kind of pets. Because of this, the author
called upon Dr. Homaday for help and through
his kindness, she was able to interview the very
efficient and experienced curators of the different
departments of the New York Zoological Gardens
and take extended notes on food and care of these
most common animals.
There has been an insistent call for this kind of
information from teachers of Nature-Study and
Biology and also from the Boy Scouts who make
their camps more interesting by capturing various
wild creatures as they find them.
"Being a 'Pet' is at best a hazardous occupation.'^
W. T. HORNADAY.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The author owes grateful acknowledgments to
Dr. W. T. Homaday, and his courteous assistants,
whose advice as to the care of birds and animals
has rendered this volume far more practical than
it could otherwise have been. She also wishes to
make acknowledgments for the efficient help of
Miss Katharine Straith and Miss Myrtle Boice
in bringing together material for this book; and to
Mrs. Austin Wadsworth for criticism of chapters on
dogs and horses.
The author also wishes to express her thanks to
Doubleday Page & Co. for their kindness in loaning
many photographs used in this book, and to Pro-
fessor Ida Reveley, to Miss Evelyn G. Mitchell,
to Messrs. Karl and Frank Schmidt for the use
of their stories, and to Miss Alice Willis and Mr.
Eugene Barker for the use of photographs.
VI
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Introduction in
Foreword to Children 3
Mammals
Dog 5
Fox 19
Cat 21
Pony 31
Colt 36
Donkey 39
Calf 42
Fawn 45
Cosset Lamb 48
Goat 51
Pig 55
Monkeys 58
Marmoset 63
Rabbits and Hares 65
Guinea Pig or Cavy 72
Squirrels , 76
Chipmunk 84
Squirrels, Flying 87
Woodchuck 91
Prairie Dog 96
White Rat 99
Mice 102
" Fancy 105
" Japanese Waltzing 108
Oppossum lit
Brown Bat, The 114
Raccoon 119
Porcupine 123
Ferrets 126
Skunk 132
Birds
Care of 137
Canary 138
Parrots 1 50
Cockatoos 159
Love Birds l5l
Crow, The 163
Bluejay, The 167
Magpie, The 170
Owl, The 172
Pigeons 1 76
Chickens 1S8
Bantams 192
Pheasants 194
Quail — Bobwhite 200
VII
The Pet Book Contents
Birds — Continued Page
Peacock, The 203
Goose, The 207
Ducks 213
GuU, The 218
Swans 219
Fish
Aquaria 224
Goldfish 226
Paradise Fish 233
Chub, Shiner, Dace 235
Stickleback, The 237
Johnny Darters 239
Sunfish, The 241
Catfish or Bullhead, The 244
Amphibians
Toad, The 246
Frog, The 251
Tree-frog, The 253
Salamanders and Newts 256
Reptiles
Turtles 260
Pet Snakes 267
Alligators 272
African Chameleon 274
American Chameleon 276
Homed Lizard 278
Invertebrates
Crayfish, The 281
Lubbock Ant Nest 286
Observation Bee Hive 292
Terrarium, The 295
Meal Worms
How to grow as food for pets 301
VIII
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Page
Parrots Frontispiece
Intimate friends, a collie and his master 4
Speak for it ! 5
Puppies seeing the world 8
Not yet friends 9
The prize dog and his master 9
Training the puppy 11
A little rough rider 15
Giving the collie pup a ride 18
Young foxes 19
A pet coyote 20
Kitty likes milk 21
Ready for the kitten show 28
In mischief 29
An unusual stepmother 29
Sunshine, kittens and contentment 30
The pet horse 31
Loading a pony with peat in the Shetland Islands 32
Collie dog herding ponies in Shetland Islands 33
The pet colt 38
The donkey as milk carrier 39
A perfect understanding 42
Feeding the calf 43
Deer 44
A fallow deer 45
A noon day rest 48
Feeding the lamb from a bottle 49
Drink, pretty creature, drink 50
Taking a drive 51
A span of angoras 54
A happy family 55
Bottle fed piggies 57
Look pleasant, please. Susjr, a chimpanzee in the New York Zoo-
logical Garden, noted for her intelligence and beloved by children. 58
A bunny family 64
A wild rabbit "Whar's Bre'r Rabbit" 65
White Peruvian Guinea pig / >,,
Abysinnian Guinea pig )
Feeding the gray squirrel 76
Have a peanut 82
Daring Fate! A red squirrel at the bird's drinking dish 83
A Pet chipmunk filling his cheek pouches with hickory nuts 84
Chipsy. A pet Sierra chipmunk giving his favorite performance on a
tumbler 85
A flying squirrel 86
A tamed flying squirrel coming to its food basket at night 87
A woodchuck mother and little one 9°
A pet woodchuck sitting for its picture 91
IX
The Pet Book Illustrations
Page
Prairie dog at the door of his burrow 96
A burrowing owl at the entrance of prairie dog's tunnel 97
A pet prairie dog 98
White mice 1
Baby mice, pink, bare and blind 1 ""
A white-footed mouse at her own doorway no
Take care! A mother opposum defending her young in
Playing possum 112
The little brown bat {
A bat asleep ) "4
Just after a nap. A raccoon in a tree 118
Feeding a baby coon from a bottle 119
Pet skunks i;6
Taming a young robin 137
Making friends with a young oriole 138
Freedom not appreciated. A canary out of its cage 139
A parrot learning a bugle call 1^0
A good natured polly 151
Whistling to the cockatoo 159
Chums. A boy and his pet crow i£6
A blue jay family. Kun;;ry youngsters and a discouraged parent 167
Magpies and their nest 170
Taming a young chickadee 171
A sleepy young screech ov.'l 172
A screech owl and its brealdast 1 73
Pet pigeons 176
Pet pigeons, a Fan Tail and a Ilcmcr 177
It's a queer world we have been hatched i:ito! 188
A friendly biddy and her master 1 89
Playing horse 190
A pet rooster 191
Finding a pheasant's nest 194
Pheasant chicks 195
EngHsh pheasants 196
Silver pheasants 197
A flock of tame quail 200
A quail chick 201
A peacock in all his glory 202
A white peacock 203
Canadian or wild geese 206
A little goose girl and her flock cf Chi:icce recce 207
A pair of mallard ducks 212
Feeding the ducldings 213
A sea-gull 218
A pair of swans and their cy;;;nets 219
A swan turning her eggs. Scene in a cv:anncry 222
Getting material for his aquarium 224
Goldfish 2;2
Aquaria and a paradise fish 233
A stickleback guarding his nest 2;8
A sunfish 2-' 2
Illustrations The Pet Book
Page
A bullhead 244
Fishing for minnows 245
Sitting for their pictures 246
Toads do not make warts 247
A toad singing 250
A frog swimming 250
"Nice froggie" 251
A frog at home 252
"Froggie'shandis different from his foot" 253
A tree frog 254
Newts swimming 256
A red-spotted newt stalking plant lice 256
The baby turtle 260
A mother turtle digging a nest for her eggs 261
Turtle eggs and young just hatched 261
Daniel, a painted pet terrapin. Putting Daniel back in his home
stream 264
Feeding a pet land tortoise in California 265
William and his pets 266
A snake in the hand is worth two spotted adders on the ground 267
A pair of garters 268
Pine snake 268
This little child loves living playthings 269
An alligator taking a nap 272
The green lizard, or American chameleon 276
The homed toad at home 278
A Lubbock ant's nest with one-half the cover lifted 286
"Pretty caterpillar" 287
An observation bee-hive 294
Many interesting happenings in the school terrarium 295
Pullmeasure 302
FOMEWORB TO CHILDREN
ONE of the greatest pleasures in keeping pets
conies from giving them personal care. There
is hardly any creature so dull that it does not learn
to recognize the one who feeds and cares for it,
and therefore comes to love this giver of all its
comforts and necessities.
You raust realize that, in a way, you stand in the
same relation to your pets as do your parents or
guardians to you; and you can, perhaps, imagine
how you would feel if your mother were too busy
some morning to give you any breakfast, or your
father too absorbed in his own affairs to furnish
you with clothing or care.
Your pets are helpless little creatures, absolutely
dependent upon you; and any boy or girl who is
a traitor to this trust, should receive like treatment
from those upon whom he is dependent, so that he
may learn how it feels to be neglected. If you
forget to feed your caged pet some day, then you
too should go without eating for a day, and dis-
cover what the experience is like. Feeding your
pets should be just as much a part of your morning's
routine as eating your own breakfast.
You must remember that only a few pets like to
be handled. The cat, dog, and some other domestic
animals are accustomed to it ; but to most creatures
this experience seems dangerous, and they instinc-
tively shrink from it. Thus, consideration for your
pet will keep you from trying to handle it until
it has gained so much confidence in you that it
invites your caresses.
The Pet Book Foreword to Children
Another important thing for you to bear in mind
is that our common wild animals and birds, caught
when young and reared in a cage, are quite unfitted
to care for themselves when they are liberated.
It is therefore far better to let the little creatures
have their liberty as soon as they are old enough to
move about freely, and keep their companionship
by feeding them daily.
Gentleness and kindness are the two means at
your command for gaining the love and confidence
of your pets; and there is no happiness quite so
heart-satisfying, as that which comes from feeling
that some little dependent creature looks up to
you with faith that you are the most beneficent
being in the whole world.
One delightftd entertainment in connection with
pets is the keeping of a note-book in which is recorded
accounts of their cunning actions and clever tricks.
Such a note-book will ever afterwards be a source
of pleasure and interest, and many of the observa-
tions recounted in it may prove of real importance
scientifically. Such a book may be illustrated also
if you are clever with your pencil or brush. On
page 80 is given extracts from one of my own note-
books devoted to a baby-squirrel. This will suggest
some idea as to methods of recording animal be-
havior.
Study your pets as individuals, for you will find
that the lower animals differ one from another as
much as do people. Find by experiment what
your individual pet likes best, and gratify its tastes.
If possible, give a variety of food by changing the
dietary somewhat from day to day; keep the cages
clean and wholesome, and always provide plenty
of fresh water. Do by your pets as you yourself
woiild be done by, for the Golden Rule works quite
as well with the lower creatures as with people.
Fholo by \'<-nic \hn-lnu
IMIMATI-; FRIENDS
A C'.lliu and his master
;ak II IK II
a mm inm a 1
THE DOG
|0 REALLY understand our dog we
should know some of the reasons for his
habits and peculiar powers. The only
way to learn these is to study the ways
of his nearest wild relatives, which are
the wolves, for we are certain that our dogs had wolf-
like ancestors. Even now there are packs of wild
dogs in Australia and India that have wolf -like
habits. There is perhaps no more delightful way to
become acquainted with wolf habits than to read the
First Jungle Book and become familiar with the ways
of Mowgli's brothers. Although the Jungle Stories
are in part fanciful, the habits and ways of wolves
are well portrayed in them. We should also read
Thompson-Seton's "Lobo" in Wild Animals I Have
Known, and "Tito" in Lives of the Hunted.
Let us consider for a moment what we find in
our dog that he has inherited from his wild ancestors :
The ancestral dog ran down his prey, and did not
lie in ambush, as did the ancestral cat. To run
down such creatures as deer, sheep, goats, and the
like, the dog needed to have long and strong legs,
and feet well-padded, so they should not be torn
by rocks; the toe-nails had to be large and stout,
and not to be pulled back, like the cat's, for the dog
needs his claws to help keep his footing, especially
when turning quickly. The dog's body is naturally
long, lean and muscular, just the kind of a body
Mammals Th e D o g
that a runner needs; and it is covered with coarse
protective hair, instead of fine fur, which would
be too warm a coat for so active an animal.
The dog has a keen eye, but cannot see in the dark
as well as does the cat. Yet the wild ancestors of
the dog hunted mostly at night, their wonderful
powers of smell rendering the keener sight unneces-
sary. Our dog is so much superior to us in the
ability to smell, that we cannot easily imagine how
the world seems to him ; his world is as full of scents
as ours is full of objects which we see. The damp,
soft skin that covers his nose is moist, and is in the
best possible condition to carry the scent to the
wide nostrils. The nostrils are situated in the
most forward part of the face, and thus may be
turned in any direction to receive the impressions
which every T3reath of air brings to them. Hounds
often follow the track of a fox several hours after
it was made. The dog knows all his friends and
enemies by their odor more surely than by their
appearance.
The dog's hearing is also very acute, and his ear-
flaps are arranged so that they may be lifted in
any. direction, to guide the sound to the inner ear.
His weapons for battle are his teeth, especially the
great tushes, or canines; his molars are especially
fitted for cutting meat, but not for chewing; these
teeth cut the food into pieces small enough so that
he can gulp them down, and the stomach does the
rest.
Most dogs bay when following their prey, which
at first thought might seem bad policy, since the
sound tells the victim where the enemy is; but we
must remember that wolves hunt in packs, and the
baying keeps the pack together. Dogs often howl
The D g Mammals
at night; this is an ancestral habit to call the pack
together; it is interesting to note that the dog when
howling lifts his nose in the air so as to send the
sound far and wide. The reason that occasionally
a dog howls when he hears mtisic, is becatise it
probably reminds him in some way of the howling
of the pack, and he at once joins the chorus.
Although we know that our dog descended from
a wild animal, we do not know just which ones of
the wolf tribe were his ancestors, for the dog was
man's domesticated companion long before there
were any picture records of man's history. It is
believed that the savages of different lands developed
their dogs from the native wild species of wolves or
dogs in order to use them to help in hunting. The
scientists who study the specimens of animals
preserved in the rocks, tell us that the dog's brain
has increased in quality and size through his asso-
ciation with man.
More than two hundred breeds of dogs have been
developed by man, and each one has its own peculi-
arities, and therefore should have special treatment.
All that we can do in this little book is to give
general directions which are equally good for all
dogs.
DIFFERENT BREEDS OF DOGS
Although different species of wild dogs or wolves
may have been responsible for some breeds of dogs,
like those used by the Eskimo, and although Egyp-
tian pictures made more than five thousand years
ago show that even then various breeds had been
developed, yet most of our common breeds have been
developed in Europe and England within a few
M am vials The Dog
centuries. It is interesting to note that pictures
painted by great artists showing dogs in hunting
scenes, have helped much in reveahng the history
of different varieties.
Since dogs were tamed first to become the compan-
ions and protectors of man, so the different breeds
have been developed to meet the needs or fancies
of man. For instance, the bulldog was originally
a large dog used for general purposes, but the need
for a dog by butchers and others to subdue wild and
fierce bulls developed a dog with strong jaw and
grit to match. At first the bull was led by the ear,
and naturally a large rather tall dog was needed
for that ; later, the bull was led by the nose and a
smaller, short -legged dog was needed for that, and
thus the bulldog as we know him was evolved.
In ancient times there were many robbers that
preyed upon people who lived in isolated houses,
and strong, fierce watch dogs were almost a neces-
sity; these were called "bandogs", and from them
was developed the mastiff. The great Dane came
from a race of dogs prized by the Greeks and Romans
in hunting fierce wild game, like the wild boar.
The greyhound gained his slender body and long
legs because man needed a swift dog to help him
catch, for food, swift animals like rabbits and deer.
Later the foxhound was developed to hunt foxes
for sport; and the long-bodied short-legged dachs-
hund was evolved to go into the burrows of badgers
and rabbits and thus capture these creatures. The
great St. Bernard came into being by aiding the
monks of Switzerland in keeping to the safe roads
in deep snows, thus enabling travelers to reach the
hospices in safety. The Newfoundland probably
developed itself as a water dog since in that country
1111 in- --CLIN nil- W 1 LI
The D g M avimals
it had to eat fish or starve and therefore learned to
catch fish for itself. It thus gained its webbed feet.
The spaniel was first used to start game birds for
falcons both on land and water, as records five hun-
dred years ago show; and the setter was also early
developed as a dog that would sit down as soon as it
located game, but pointers were probably developed
independently. The spaniel, as its name indicates
came originally from Spain. It was first used to
spring feathered game for the hawk ; while the sitting
spaniel or "setter" was used to start birds to be
caught in a net; and the pointer was used to point
game which the hunter shot with the cross-bow, — all
before gunpowder was invented.
From ancient times almost every country had its
sheep dogs, for one of the earliest needs for a dog
was to aid nomadic man in guarding his flocks of
cattle, sheep and goats. In the British Isles there
have been developed three kinds of sheep dogs,
the smooth coated, the bobtailed, and the collie.
The collie was developed in the Highlands of Scot-
land, but from what ancestors we do not know;
he is famed for his loyalty and sagacity in caring
for sheep, but he was scarcely known outside of
Scotland before i860. Now he is a favorite in
every civilized country, and is highly appreciated
for his intelligence and beauty. Every one inter-
ested in collies should read "I3ob, Son of Battle,"
for this book gives a true picture of the skill of these
wonderful dogs in their native Highlands.
The terriers seem to have originated in England
and are of hound origin, — probably a mixture of fox-
hound or wolfhound and deerhound. They were
probably mongrels of small size in that they were
used to htmt badgers, foxes and rabbits in their bur-
Mammals The D o g
rows. They thus won their name, terrier, from the
Latin terra, meaning earth. Although such dogs may-
have existed in England for several centuries, the
many breeds of terriers known today have been
developed mostly within the last century.
The toy dogs were especially developed as pets, and
have no use whatever. The Pomeranian or spitz
is descended from a large dog, and was developed in
Southern Europe. The poodle has a spaniel origin,
and the fashion of clipping his hair is at least three
hundred years old, as is shown by pictures. The
Alaltese toy dog is descended from poodles. The
pug is from China, and of very ancient lineage. The
Pekinese and Japanese spaniels are also of a very
ancient breed, and probably have common ancestors.
HOUSE
Our friend, the dog, is so sensitive to treatment that
he needs to be considered as one of the family, if we
wish him to be comfortable, happy and healthy ; and
when he has the run of the premises with his bed in
the stable he is usually very comfortable. However,
it is often necessary that he sleep in a kennel, and
this should always be attractive, light, well-venti-
lated, not too cold, well-drained, clean, and entirely
free from dampness and draughts. The best kennel
is one which can be cleaned and aired when not in
use. It may be a wooden box, or a barrel, turned
upside down, placed on a platform raised a little
above the earth; or it may be an especially built
house ; but of whatever form, it needs to be roomy,
protected from the cold winter winds and shaded
from the summer's sun. It is highly desirable that
there should be two little windows at the top of the
The Dog Ma VI vials
kennel, on opposite sides. These may be of glass, or
simply holes with wooden shutters; in either case,
they shotild be arranged so that they may be opened
or closed, depending upon the weather or the direc-
tion of the wind.
For the dog's bed, a layer of clean straw is best,
and this should be changed every week. Sawdust,
carpets and mattings are not desirable as bedding,
since they harbor fleas. When the kennel is scrubbed,
disinfectants should be used, and it should be per-
fectly dry before new straw for the bed is put in
place. The walls of the kennels should be white-
washed, or painted with creolin to keep them sweet
and clean. There should be sand in front of the
kennel, and if the dog is chained, a long chain from
six to nine feet should be used, and there should be
always a plentiful supply of fresh, clean water within
reach. It is best to have but one dog in a small
kennel.
If the dog sleeps in a warm comer of shed or
stable, or if allowed to sleep in the house, he should
always have a comer of his own ; in such a situation
a piece of carpet may be used for bedding, which
should be often cleaned, or changed. Delicate dogs
need a bed almost as soft as our own ; but a dog should
not be allowed to sleep on the bed of his master, for
hygienic reasons.
FOOD
To keep a dog happy, healthy and active, we must
be careful to feed him regularly and moderately ; we
must study our dog, and see how much he naturally
eats and never urge him to eat more. A-Iost dogs are
fed too often, although there is a difference in food
requirements of different breeds. Large, and very
Mammals The Dog
active dogs will constune more then those which are
smaller or more quiet in their habits. Two meals per
day, a light breakfast and a supper which he can
digest, are all that a dog needs. The best diet is
varied. Meat should not be given except in small
quantities; it should be cooked, and even then,
should be given sparingly. The food does not need
to be warm, and must never be hot or sloppy.
Scraps from the table may be fed, if they contain a
su.f!icient amount of meat; if not, cheap meat should
be bought and boiled, and it, or its liquor mixed with
bread or vegetables. The best diet is made of meat
thus cooked, chopped and mixed with rice or oatmeal,
or occasionally with corn meal for a variety ; but the
latter is too heating for summer diet. Rice cooked
with codfish is an excellent food for winter. Cooked
vegetables should be fed at least twice a week; if the
dog seems hungry after eating porridge or vegetables,
he may be given a dog biscuit. For breakfast give
porridge with milk, taking care to not have it sloppy,
and a dog biscuit three or four times a week if
necessary. For the evening rneal, give a mixture of
vegetables and cooked meat, in the proportion of
one-fourth or less of meat to three-fourths of bread or
vegetables. A large dog, weighing eighty pounds,
may be given at each meal three-fourths of a pound of
cooked rice with one-fourth pound of cooked meat
chopped, and mixed so thoroughly that the meat
cannot be separated from the rice. We have known
of hounds kept in perfect condition in winter when
fed steadily on corn meal in the form of johnny-cake
or mush mixed with stewed scraps of waste meat.
The johnny-cake was made with lard or cottolene.
In summer, less meat and much skimmed milk were
given.
12
The D g M amm als
Do not pay attention when your dog begs for food,
since to yield would most likely ruin his health. He
shotdd not be fed at the table, nor out of regular
hours. The dishes from which he eats should be
cleaned every day. They should be of earthen or
agate ware, and not old rusty tins. The dishes should
never be washed with the dishes from our table ; this
is a practice dangerous to our health. The dog is
fond of gnawing bones; this assists in keeping his
teeth clean. The bone should be of medium hard-
ness, but the bones of chicken or game should never
be given, as they are likely to splinter and choke the
animal.
Our sldn is filled with pores through which we per-
spire, but the dog can only perspire through his tongue.
If he cannot get water on a hot day his suffering is
intense ; and to keep a dog well, he must always have
access to plenty of fresh, clean water. A drinking
dish for his u.se should always be kept in a certain
place; there should be one inside the house, and one
in the yard, and both should be cleaned and filled
every day.
CARE
An over-fed, inactive dog is a loafer, and not to be
desired. The best dog is one that takes plenty of
exercise. If possible, he should be allowed to run
daily in the fields; but if this is not practicable, he
shoiild be taken out daily for long walks.
The dog's skin is very sensitive, and he should not
be washed except when necessary. In summer he
may be bathed often, but in winter only when
decency demands it. He should be bathed in water
of tepid temperature. The head should be wet first,
but the water should be kept out of the ears, since
13
M animals The Dog
it causes canker. After coming from the bath he
should be placed where there are no drafts, and where
he will dry rapidly and thoroughly. Kneading him,
and rubbing with a coarse, rough towel, will assist in
this process. After the bath he should be taken for a
brisk run.
A desirable collar for a dog is of fiat leather; but a
round leather collar is cooler for siimmer.
If it is necessary to chain the dog, fasten a wire rope
between two trees or posts, about seven feet from the
ground, place a ring on the rope to which attach his
chain, this will give him some freedom for exercise.
The dog always recognizes a friend. He is very
sensitive, and harsh treatment will never teach hira
obedience. He is intelligent, and with patience may
be controlled by the tone of voice. When he does
wrong, he should be corrected at the time, but he
should never be struck over the ears, mouth or ab-
domen. An obedient dog is far happier than one
that disobeys. Develop his intelligence, and teach
him to do useful things, as well as to play.
If it is desirable that the dog should look his best,
he may be brushed with a leather brush once a week ;
the brush and comb should be disinfected and cleaned
after use each time. Ordinarily combing and brush-
ing is reserved for show dogs. The disinfectant used
for kennels and cages in the New York Zoological
Gardens is "White pine," diluted according to direc-
tions, and sprinkled or spread over the walls and
floors. Jeyes fluid, sanitas and izal, in hot solutions
may be used. Creolin is also excellent. The kennel
must be sprayed while it is empty, and the disin-
fectant must be washed off before the animal is
returned to it. If this is done often, the dog will be
kept free from fleas and other parasites.
14
rnoio oy I fine AJurlim
TK_U_\IN(t IME FIPF'V
The D g Mammals
If the dog is in poor condition, and becomes thin
and weak with distended stomach, and has a large
appetite, he is probably afflicted with worms, and
should be given a good vermifuge when his stomach is
empty. "Sure-shot" is very highly recommended as
a vermifuge, and should be used according to direc-
tions; however, there are many good medicines of
this sort on the market, and usually after a vermifuge
is given it should be followed v/ith a dose of castor oil,
a teaspoonful for a small dog, or a tablespoonful for a
large dog. The rubbing of the hind parts along the
ground is a sign that a dog is troubled with worms.
For constipation, olive oil may be given, or small
doses of castor oil. A little cod liver oil should be
given occasionally to keep the dog in good condition.
This may be procured in form of biscuit.
Food manufacturers like Spratt's Co. have a large
variety of foods which have corrective and tonic
effects upon the dog's system, and may be substituted
for medicine.
For wounds and sores apply flowers of sulphur and
crude petroleum mixed to a thick cream.
CARE OF PUPPIES
The mother dog should have all the freedom possi-
ble before giving birth to her puppies. She should
also have an extra amount of food. It is far better
to let her have freedom and choose her own place to
cradle her young ; or if this is impossible, a comforta-
ble, well-drained kennel, quiet, retired from people
and dogs should be provided for her. The puppies
are carried by the mother nine weeks, and are born
blind. Their eyes open in eight to ten days. The
mother should be left alone in their earliest care.
15
Mammals The D o g
While she is nursing her htter she shotdd be given
plenty of easily digested food, which should be salted,
and have in it plenty of oily matter. She shotild not
be allowed to bring up too large a litter, never more
than eight, and fewer according to her size. If the
puppies are thin, one or more should be taken away.
As soon as the puppies are old enough to take food
from us, they should be fed four times a day, and
milk should be a large part t)f the food. If vegetables
or mYish are given with it, there should be twice as
much of milk. As it is desirable that puppies should
eat all that is possible, they may be fed more than
they can eat, but the remains must be cleaned up each
time. A dry dog biscuit should be given the puppy
to gnaw when he is about eight weeks old, so that the
teeth may be strengthened and kept clean, but he
should never be given a hard bone. Phosphated
lime or bone-dust should be scattered over the
puppy's food from time to time to help in forming his
bones. Puppies shotdd never be lifted by the neck
as we lift a kitten, but should be lifted by placing
both hands beneath the body.
If puppies are afflicted with fleas they should be
washed carefully and dried in a warm atmosphere,
and their kennels disinfected. Many recommend
Deqter's cream of parasites, which may be used with
safety with excellent results in freeing dogs from
fleas; or they may be washed with Spratt's or Jeyes'
soaps, and izal used afterwards.
Puppies are likely to be troubled with lice which
do not affect the old dog. If a mixture of lard and
flowers of sulphur be rubbed over the puppy, espec-
ially at the roots of the tail, and around the backs of
the ears, this pest may be conquered. When apply-
ing the paste rub against the hair. The paste may
i6
The Dog Mammals
be applied twice, leaving one day between. The day
after the last application the little victim should be
washed with soap and water and dried carefully, in
a place free from cold and drafts. This remedy
rarely needs to be used a second time.
Puppies are likely to be troubled with worms after
weaning. The signs are, inflated abdomen, weakness
as shown by sitting or lying instead of running about,
and becoming so thin that the ribs show. A vermi-
fuge once or twice repeated is important. Get a good
vermifuge, like "Sure-shot," or Spratt's worm
capsules for puppies, and follow directions.
Each puppy individually must be taught cleanly
habits, beginning as soon as it is old enough to run
about freely. At this time the puppy requires con-
stant care, and only by unwearying attention can it
be properly trained. It should be put out of doors
every half hour for the first three days after it has
been brought into the house. Each time, as it comes
back, it should be patted and praised. If it urinates
on the floor, rub its nose in the puddle and put it
out of doors, but do not whip it, since a nervous dog
will thus be cowed and be all the harder to train.
After the three days, watch carefully and if it begins
to seem uneasy and to sniff around the floor, take it
up and put it out immediately. If the puppy is to
live entirely in the house, a sand tray should be pro-
vided, which should be placed in a closed box, and the
puppy should be put into this box instead of out of
doors . The sand in the tray needs to be changed every
day. Two weeks of careful training usually serves to
teach most dogs cleanly habits. Care must be taken
never to keep the dog waiting if it seems uneasy,
and it should be borne in mind that an ill-trained
dog owes. his failings to the fault of the trainer.
17
Mammals The D o g
DOG MAXIMS
Never give a dog hot food.
Never allow a dog to eat out of a dish used by
people for eating or washing; the dog has parasites
dangerous to us.
Never let a dog lick your face.
Do not force a dog into water for sticks if he does
not wish to go, for it may injure him.
If the dog leaves part of his food untouched, he is
being fed too much.
If a dog bites you, disinfect the wound with a
strong solution of carbolic acid and constilt a doctor.
If you do not wish your dog to be "smelly", wash
him as often as needful, and wet him to the skin.
If you have to punish your dog, do it when he is
caught in the offense, for dogs cannot remember long.
Never strike a dog over the head, ears, or abdomen.
The dog should always have access to fresh, clean
water.
REFERENCES
American Animals, Stone and Cram.
The Dog Book, Watson.
Outdoor Work, M. R. Miller.
"Chink," and "Bad Lands Billy," Lives op the Hunted;
"Snap," and "The Winipeg Wolf," in Animal Heroes; "Tito,"
in Lives of the Hunted, and "Lobo," Wild Animals I Have
Known, Thmnpson-Seton.
"Mowgli Stories," and "Red Dog," in Jungle Stories,
Kipling.
Bob, Son of Battle, OlUphani.
Rab and His Friends, John Brown.
Stories of Brave Dogs, retold from St. Nicholas.
The Dog of Flanders, Ouida.
"The Passing of the Black Whelps," The Watchers of the
Trails, C. G. D. Roberts.
I'hnlu hv I nilr Murl,
\insi. Foxes
THE FOX
ARING and rascally is the fox as a pet,
and on account of its rascality it
needs especial attention and care.
Many a country boy who kept his
;pet fox carefully chained to a ken-
nel wondered how it managed to
capture a chicken so often. But,
after he had studied the wiles of
his pet , he wondered no longer ; for he sawit apparently
deliberately bait the chickens with the remnants of
its meal, meanwhile pretending to be fast asleep, until
some reckless biddy came within the radius of its
chain.
The fox lives in a den or burrow, often selecting
a woodchuck burrow, or making one for itself. I once
saw a fox home that was in a rather deep cave beneath
the roots of a stump. The mother fox usually selects
some open place for a den for her litter; often an
open field or side hill is chosen for this. The den is
carpeted with grass, and is a very comfortable place
for the fox cubs. The den of the father fox is usually
near by.
The fox is an industrious hunter of meadow mice,
rabbits, woodchucks, frogs, snakes, grasshoppers and
birds and their eggs. It has a bad reputation with
the farmer because of its attacks on poultry. It not
only raids hen-roosts, but catches many fowls that
are wandering through the fields after food. It
carries a heavy bird, like a goose, in an interesting
manner, by slinging it over its shotdder, and holding
the head in its mouth to steady the burden.
19
HI animals The Fox
Young foxes are bom in the spring. They are
black at first and are exceedingly playful and active.
Their parents give them most devoted care.
HOUSE
Since the fox is closely related to the dog, it should
be treated much like a small dog. The pet fox should
be chained to a comfortable kennel, or its kennel may
be kept in a yard enclosed by a wire fence, which
needs to be about six feet high, and shoiild be turned
inwards at the top for about a foot, otherwise the
captive will climb out. The kennel needs to have
fresh bedding put in at least every week, for the fox
has a strong and disagreeable odor, and its home soon
becomes a most offensive place. If kept in the yard
the ground must be kept clean.
FOOD
A young cub may be brought up on a bottle, giving
it warmed cow's milk. As soon as old enough to eat,
it may be fed on dog biscuits soaked in milk, and
chopped raw meat. The full-grown fox will eat
soaked dog biscuit, scraps from the table, and is
particularly fond of fowls' heads; and in fact will
take almost any kind of raw meat. Fruit or carrots
should be offered. These may not be eaten, but the
fox should have some vegetable food, and sometimes
seems to have a liking for it. Plenty of cold water
should be kept where the pet can have access to it at
all times.
REFERENCES
American Animals, Stone and Cram.
Red Fox, C. G. D. Roberts.
Silver Fox, Thompson-Seton.
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KATKIXA \ViiI,F(;h1'-X." A I'ET COYdTK
Kl I r\' I, IKES MILI-
THE CAT
NLY the student of history
can fully appreciate the im-
portance of cats. If we could
know really the history of the civ-
ilizations of the world, we should
undoubtedly find that cats have
played an important part in it.
Wherever pioneers have planted
their crops, there have followed
rats and mice in plenty to reap their harvest ; there-
fore, no part of their household belongings was prized
more by our forefathers than the domestic cat.
Indeed, the cat is still a great factor in keeping in
check rats and mice. Our government appropriates
money every year to support cats in the postoffices
and other public buildings ; and now in Pittsburg our
national government is attempting to develop a strain
of cats that can endure life in cold storage ware-
houses. Thus we can see that the story of Dick
Whittington reveals to us, better than most written
histories, the value of a cat in a country overrun with
vermin. In Dick Whittington's time a cat was
indeed worth its weight in gold.
There are in general, two kinds of cats, — the long-
haired or Persians and the short-haired which includes
our common household puss.
Formerly the Angoras were supposed to be distinct
from the Persians, but now they are regarded as
indistinguishable. The Persian varieties are deter-
mined by color. They are the Blacks, the Blues,
Mammals The C at
the Brown Tabbies, the Oranges and Creams, the
Silvers, the Tortoise-shells, and the Whites.
The short-haired cats show many varieties in the
matter of color, and some in form. They are the
Blacks, the Russian Blues, which are not tinged with
slate, but are intensely blue, the Creams, and Oranges,
the Dutch-marked, being white with black or blue or
cream or orange, the Tabbies, the Tortoise-shells and
the Whites. The Siamese is pure cream or fawn with
seal-brown face, ears, legs and tail, and has bright blue
eyes. Manx and Japanese cats have no tails.
In an ancient Egyptian picture, a cat with a black
stripe on the heels is represented as catching birds for
its master. At Sakkara and Benihassan in Egypt
are cemeteries of cat mummies, which show how
much these creatures were prized thousands of
years before the Christian Era.
Thus puss has been made the companion of man
for so many centuries that we do not know what she
was like in her original wild condition. Possibly she,
like the dog, has several species, in different countries,
as ancestors. However, there are plenty of wild cats
still living in many parts of the world, and we can
judge by studying them what the v/ild habits of our
domestic pets naturally were.
The cat can run rapidly for a short distance, but
she is not a natural runner like the dog; instead, she
is fitted with strong hind legs which enable her to
leap far. She does not get her prey by chasing it;
she lies in ambush behind some object, or stretched
along a limb, not too high from the ground, and there
waits for some unsuspecting creature to pass; then
she gathers herself tensely and leaps upon her victim
stunning it with the blow, and seizes it in her sharp
curved claws, and her sharp tushes.
The C at Mammals
The long, strong, supple body of a cat, covered
with soft, sleek fur, is graceful and sinuous in its
motions; her step is stealthy, for her claws are re-
tracted above her toe-pads, and make no noise ; when
hunting she assumes a slinking gait; her eyes are
fitted for seeing in daylight or in semi-darkness;
the pupils are contracted to mere vertical slits during
the day, but at night they expand over almost the
entire eye. At the back of the eye is a reflecting
surface which catches such dim light as there is, and
by reflecting it, enables the cat to use it twice. The
cat's nose is moist, and her sense of smell is excellent,
but not so keen as that of the dog. However, she
has a very keen sense of hearing. Her whiskers are
of great use to her; these long hairs about the face
are connected at their roots with sensory nerves, so
that when moving in the dark, if one of them touches
an object, pussy at once receives warning.
Puss has a wide range of expression in her voice
and gestures. She can mew questioningly, cozily,
affectionately or entreatingly ; she can squall when
hurt, and emit heart-rending mews when she is
lonely, and growl when you interfere with her food.
She can purr, which is a very soothing noise indeed;
but when she sings for the entertainment of her lover,
or howls defiance at her enemy, she wails in a manner
that sends chills down the spine of the listener. She
can also "spit," a performance most expressive of
defiance or contempt. When angry, she switches
her tail threateningly; when feeling pleasant and
companionable she carries her tail upright ; and when
frightened, the hairs of the tail stand out, making it
three times its natural size.
The cat is a night -prowler by nature, for it is then
she most easily finds her prey. She is especially a
23
il/ a mm a Is The Cat
hunter of mice and rats, which are also night -prowlers;
although these creatures form a natural part of her
food, yet she gets so many internal parasites from
them, that sometimes her health is thus greatly
injured. "Mice make a cat poor," say the farmer
people, a true observation because of the many
worms which have their early stages in mice, and their
later stages in the intestines of the cat.
Cats should, when young, be taught to leave birds
alone. A little attention in training the kitten will
later save the life of many a bird. As soon as the
kitten is old enough to begin to notice birds, it should
be switched every time it even looks at one. A few
days of this kind of treatment is usually sufficient to
teach the lesson, for the kitten is no fool. If she
persists in catching birds, take the bird from her that
she has just killed, put some red pepper upon it, and
let her have it again. If this is done once, it will
usually make her afraid to touch any bird thereafter.
Leaving cats at summer cottages during the winter
ought to be considered a criminal offense. The poor
cats suffer from the unaccustomed rigors of winter,
and by starvation they are forced to climb trees in
search of birds. Many thousands of our beneficial
song birds are thus sacrificed every year because of
the wicked thoughtlessness of people who desert
their cats and thus render them wild in their habits.
An intelligent cat may be taught many things, and
each of us who loves our puss may have an interesting
story to tell of the achievements of our especial pet.
When I was a baby of five months, I was adopted by
a cat, a handsome black and white creature called
"Jenny." A cruel woods-cat had come to the bam
and killed Jenny's first litter of kittens, and she was a
lonely and disconsolate little mother, mourning for
24
The Cat Mammals
her children. She seemed to comprehend that I,
although larger than she, was an infant. She tried
to give me milk from her own breasts, and later
brought me half -killed mice and placed them entic-
ingly near my hands in my cradle when I was put to
sleep on the piazza. Whenever I cried she came to
me and tried to comfort me, during the first nine
years of my life, which was as long as she lived.
Even now I can remember how great a comfort she
was to me when naughtiness was the cause of my
weeping, and when therefore I felt that the whole
world except Jenny was against me. Jenny opened
all of the doors in the old farm house from the thumb-
piece side. She leaped up and thrust one front leg
through the handle, thus supporting her weight while
she pressed down on the thumb -piece with the other
front foot. I remember our guests were greatly
astonished at seeing her come thus swinging into the
room on the door. Jenny was very polite, and
always thanked us with a mew when we opened the
door to let her in or out.
HOME
The cat is very sensitive to treatment, and
responds to good care; if we wish a cat as a real pet
we must provide it the comforts of a home. A
special sleeping place should be given ; this may con-
sist of a box or a basket, in which should be placed a
bed of soft straw or hay, with disinfected sawdust
sprinkled on the bottom of the box; this bed should
be changed as often as is needed. A bit of carpet or a
cushion may be used for bedding, but this needs to be
frequently cleaned, or it may become infested with
fleas. The bed should be placed in a warm and pro-
tected situation ; cats should not be put out of doors
Mammals The Cat
nights. In case the cat is valuable, the risk of losing
it is great if it is allowed to run out at night. More-
over, it does greatest damage to birds at night, or
during early morning.
If puss is confined in the house, a shallow tin or
box of dry earth or ashes should be kept in some
convenient place, and she should be taught to use it.
This shotdd be emptied every day to keep it perfectly
sanitary.
If a number of cats are kept there should be a
special room or bioilding with an outside run for their
use. This place would need to be heated in cold
weather, and must be free from damp, frost and
draughts. Cats do not do well in pens or cages.
FOOD
Cats should be fed well at regular periods. Bread
and milk is an acceptable food to most. Potatoes
mixed with meat scraps and gravy may be given now
and then ; occasionally fish heads, or other fish scraps,
boiled with or without rice, are greatly relished.
Alany cats like porridge in the winter months, and
all enjoy getting raw meat off of bones; however,
smaller bones of chicken or game should not be given
lest they cause internal injury. Cooked meat, in
reasonable quantities, should be given each day.
Cats are fond of grass, mint and catnip; catnip
especially should be harvested in the summer, so that
it may be given in the winter. Some advise the feed-
ing of a little raw meat three times a week, but this
sometimes produces indigestion, or what is often
called "fits." Above all, a dish of clean water should
be kept where puss can help herself, for she likes to
drink many times a day. Feeding her milk is not
26
The Cat Mammals
compensation for lack of water, therefore her special
drinking dish should be kept filled with clean water,
where she can reach it at any time.
CARE
Cats are sensitive and nervous creatures, and there-
fore it is necessary to treat them with gentleness and
kindness. They are timid, but are fond of notice.
They are very sensitive to the tone of voice, and often
a stem command serves quite as well to warn or
punish as a whipping. They are greatly benefited
by warmth and sunshine, and should have plenty of
exercise. Bathing is not necessary for the short-
haired cats, for they are very cleanly and attend to
their own washing. The long-haired cats need more
care, and cannot be allowed their liberty. They
need to be carefully washed, dried and combed before
a fire, often enough to keep them clean. Some advise
the cleaning of the fur with fine flour, which can be
rubbed in and brushed out. During the summer
months cats are often troubled with fleas. One
remedy for this is to wet the fur in a solution consist-
ing of one quart of water to two tablespoons of
creolin. This kills the fleas, and leaves no unpleasant
odor, and is not poisonous to the cat. A lather of tar
soap also may be used for this. An old fashioned
remedy was to spray the cat's fur and bedding with
spirits of camphor. Carbolic acid should never be
used as a disinfectant around cats as it does not agree
with them.
The epileptic "fits" with which cats are afflicted are
often caused by internal parasites, and some good
vermifuge should be given. One grain of santonine
sprinkled into a little milk and fed three times in one
27
Mammals The Cat
day on an empty stomach will usually effect a cure;
this treatment may be repeated twice at intervals of
two days to make sure. As santonine is a poison if
given in large quantities, it should be followed with a
teaspoonful of castor oil at night. Cats are often
afflicted with diarrhoea, and the cure for this is to
keep the patient confined, and give only a very small
amount of food, which should consist of boiled rice
and a little boiled milk. For constipation give a
teaspoonful of castor oil ; one authority advises Gar-
field tea steeped strong and given in teaspoon doses.
Puss has a strong love for places and does not take
readily to anew home. Therefore, if it is necessary
to move a pet cat, she shotild be taken into a room
of the new house, close the doors and windows, and
pet her and talk to her so that she feels that she is not
alone. Then she should be allowed to examine the
room until she becomes acquainted with it ; and her
nest should be placed in the comer. Later she
should be allowed to examine the entire house at her
leisure, and usu.ally after a little she will settle down
into her new quarters contentedly.
Every cat allowed in the house must be broken to
cleanliness when young. This is best done by giving
kittens close attention, and putting them out of doors,
or in their box with the sand tray as soon as they are
seen to be sniffing around comers of the room. If the
worst happens, the kitten's nose shoiild be rubbed in
the urine or excrement and then it should be put out
of doors. To a cat, which has a most sensitive nose,
there could be no greater punishment or indignity
than this. With care in putting the kitten out of
doors at intervals, usually one or two repetitions of
this punishment is enough. A kitten has a far better
memory than has a puppy.
28
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CARE OF MOTHER AND KITTENS
When the young are expected the mother should
have a dark and quiet retreat. She should be
given an open basket with a soft carpet in the bot-
tom, and she should be supplied with all the milk
she can drink
There are usually from two to five kittens born
in a litter. They are blind and helpless at first.
The mother takes excellent care of her kittens,
feeding them and washing them, and giving them
every attention. On the tenth day after birth, the
kittens open their eyes, and soon clamber out of the
basket, very happy and playful. They shotdd be
left with the mother from five to seven weeks, or
until she tries to wean them. Sad experience awaits
the kittens at this period when they try to get their
accustomed dinner. Their mother growls at their
approach, and cuffs their ears energetically; so at
this time we should take the mother away, and teach
the kittens to lap sugared milk from a saucer.
A little lime water added to the milk is beneficial.
Soon we should begin to feed them three or four
times a day, on bread and milk, porridge, and a little
finely -minced cooked meat. The food should always
be lukewarm when given them. A little later,
boiled rice, brown bread and oatmeal with milk,
and sometimes boiled vegetables may be given.
Kittens need a soft bone to gnaw to keep their teeth
sharp and clean.
REFERENCES
American Animals, Stone and Cram.
Our Domestic Animals, C. W. Burkett. \ "^ ' - '
Concerning Cats, H. M. Winslow.
"How a Cat Played Robinson Crusoe," Neighbors Un-
known, C. G. D. Roberts.
29
M am vial s The C at
"The Slum Cat," Animal Heroes, Thompson-Seton.
"The Kitten at School," The Wit of the Wild, Ernest
Ingersoll.
Cat Stories, Lion, Tiger and Panther Stories, retold from
St. Nicholas.
THE KITTEN AND THE FALLING LEAVES
See the kitten on the wall,
Sporting with the leaves that fall,
AA^ithered leaves, one, two and three
Falling from the elder tree.
Through the calm and frosty air
Of the morning bright and fair.
See the kitten, how she starts,
Crouches, stretches, paws and darts;
With a tiger-leap half way
Now she meets her coming prey.
Lets it go as fast and then
Has it in her power again.
How she works with three or four,
Like an Indian conjurer;
Quick as he in feats of art.
Gracefully she plays her part ;
Yet were gazing thousands there.
What would little Tabby care ?
William Wordsworth.
30
THE PET HOKSK
THE PONY
'HCE pony is a hero, and bred of heroes. Wherever
it may have come from, or of whatever breed,
its ancestors braved and conquered dangers
and endured privations which wotild have
killed any animal less heroic. It is prob-
able, indeed, that because of the priva-
tions which these horses underwent when
_ in a wild or semi-wild state, their size was
-z^ reduced and the races of ponies were
developed.
Strictly speaking, a pony is a horse, fotirteen and
on.e-half hands high, or less. The finest breeds of
ponies come from regions of scanty vegetation and
unfavorable climate. This is true of the cold and
dry climates of Russia and Scandinavia; the sterile
islands of Shetland; the mountains of Wales, and
northwest America, with their scanty vegetation;
the heath-covered downs of Exmoor and New
Forest in England; the arid wastes of the southwest
United States and Mexico, and of Arabia. In all
of these regions races of ponies have been developed,
probably from wild herds of hardy horses. The
struggle for existence under these adverse conditions
was so severe a test, that all but the hardiest died
from starvation. However, those which did sur-
vive were so tough and strong that they were able
to give to their offspring the endurance to withstand
cold or heat, scanty food and scanty water.
Thus it has happened that through .generation
after generation of hardening, the pony of to-day is
superior in many ways to the horse which has been
31
Mammals The P ony
more tenderly cared for by man. The pony has
better feet and legs than the horse, and is more
active. Since a wild horse relies for safety upon
the strength of legs and feet, and the ability to flee
up mountain sides, if it happens to live in such a
situation, it was necessary to the pony's existence
that it be thus strong and sure. I was in a stage
coach once in the Sierra mountains when we met an
Indian pony, heavily packed, on a very narrow
mountain road. It stopped, looked at us with
intelligent eyes, then looked down the precipice
that fell away from one side of the road, then up
the steep bank that bordered the other side. Then
with quick decision, it climbed, squirrel-like, up the
bank out of our way and clinging to it like a fly to
the wall waited for us to pass, and afterwards
climbed careftdly down. My heart was thrilled
with this daring performance, and I shall never
forget it.
The pony is not only stronger in body in propor-
tion than the horse, but it also lives longer. There
are many records showing ponies to have reached
the age of thirty-eight, forty, and even forty-five
years. Moreover, the pony is more intelligent than
the horse. There are many more trick ponies than
horses in shows, and one reason for this undoubtedly
is the superior brain of the pony, which enables it
to remember and to learn many things.
Of all the ponies, the Shetland is the most used as
a pet. If we could visit the home of the ancestors
of our Shetland pony, we should have to journey to
some very picturesque, rocky islands north of
Scotland. In fact, they are so far north that they .
would seem to belong almost to the Arctic regions;
however, the climate there is changed and moderated
32
~ ^.-'
The P ony Mammals
by the warmth of the Gulf Stream. The islands
consist of high points of rocks, and basins lying be-
tween, which have peat bottoms. Over this peat
grows heather and scanty grass on which the herds
of ponies feed. There are no trees and shrubs for
shelter, and the ponies are never housed. They
are bom, and live their lives in an open field the
year round. Their only protection from the wind
and storm are piles of rocks, and stone walls. Be-
cause of the warm, moist atmosphere brought by
the Gulf Stream into this semi- Arctic region, much
rain and mist is condensed ; thus the Shetland ponies
have developed their long, fine hair, to protect them
from moisture.
The ponies were ranging these Shetland islands
before the year 872, and are supposed to have been
brought from Norway in ancient times. However,
ponies were found in England and Wales by Julius
Caesar when he conquered the British Isles. The
mustangs and bronchos of our Southwest are sup-
posed to have descended from horses introduced
by the Spaniards, and therefore have Spanish or
Moorish ancestors.
HOUSE
The stable should be well ventilated, without
drafts, and clean bedding of straw should be given
every day. There should be a yard adjoining the
stable where the pony may be let out to take exercise
daily.
FOOD
In general, the pony shotild receive one-fourth or
less of the rations given to a horse. Good, well-
cured hay, and clover, are best for it. A pint of bran,
33
M am ma Is The P on y
and a pint of oats may be fed twice each day for
grain. About once a week a steamed bran mash
may be given, and it is well to change the rations
slightly by feeding two or three carrots in addition
to the regular grain ration occasionally. Com
meal, with the bran, may be used instead of oats,
if the latter are not to be had. Com meal two parts,
and one of cottonseed meal, with a small amount of
wheat bran, may sometimes be given to change the
feed.
The pony's stomach is small, and when more food
is packed into it than it naturally holds, the pony
becomes podgy, and no longer travels easily or freely.
A good quality of hay is excellent for keeping the
stomach and bowels in order. The pony should
have free access to grass as often as possible in svun-
mer.
CARE
The pony should be fed with absolute regularity,
and shotild not be used for a short time after its
meal. If it is not warm, it should be watered before
feeding; in the winter the water should have the
chill taken off. Also in winter the frozen bit should
be warmed before being placed in the pony's mouth;
the tight-drawn, cruel, over-check rein shotild never
be used, although a moderate check may be needed.
When the pony is sweating it should be blanketed
immediately if hitched putside in the cold weather,
but if hitched in the bam the blanket should not be
put on until the perspiration has stopped steaming.
The pony should be carefully groomed, and its legs
shoiild receive more attention than the body during
the grooming. In driving the pony, control it
more by the sound of the voice than by the whip;
31
The Pony Mammals
it should have daily exercise, either in driving or
in its yard; if this is impossible, then its feed should
be cut down somewhat while it is idle. Its shoes
should be removed and reset once a month, and
renewed as often as worn out; when the pony is
turned out to pasture in the winter, or for a period
of several weeks in the summer, the shoes should
be removed, as this helps growth which repairs
damage to the hoof.
It is well for the little master or mistress of the
pony to learn to take care of the harness, and to
learn how it goes together to fit the pony, as this will
avoid many accidents. If the harness becomes
muddy, or dusty, it should be brushed and sponged,
and then rubbed with a cloth moistened with neats-
foot oil. The patent or enameled leather ornaments
should be cleaned by rubbing with a cloth moistened
with tepid water, and should not be oiled. The
harness must be kept free from the dirt left by
sweat, as this galls the pony.
THE SHETLAND PONY
My Shetland Isle was bleak and cold,
With rocks and stones heaped Jiigh.
The heather o'er the open wold
Shone purple 'neath the rainy sky
There was my home ; a stiirdy foal
I roamed the peat bogs far and wide.
The rough rocks sheltered me from cold ;
With scant grass was I satisfied.
My shaggy coat kept off the rain ;
My herd was gay and free from care,
I ran and ran with touseled mane, —
I never saw a harness there.
35
THE COLT
'ORSES have an interesting story as
told by the fossils in the rocks of
America; but we should not recog-
nize these very ancient ancestors
of our horses if we should see them,
for they were not larger than sheep,
and each one had four toes on
the front foot and three toes on the hind foot.
This first little horse with many toes lived when the
earth was a damp, warm place, and when animals
needed toes to spread out to enable them to walk in
the mud. But as the ages passed, the earth grew
colder and drier, and a long leg ending in a single
hoof seemed most serviceable for running swiftly
over dry places; thus it has come about that our
horses of the present day walk on the nails of their
middle toes, for the hoof is a toenail. In the desert
of Gobi in Thibet the original stock from which our
domestic horses have been bred was discovered by
Col. Przhevalski. These are dun-colored ponies,
with erect manes, no forelocks and with a dark stripe
along the back. Very good pictures of these horses
are found in the drawings made by the cave men
before the dawn of history.
Since the herds of wild horses made swift flights
when attacked by their enemies, colts are bom with
long legs so that they are able to keep up with the
herd. In fact, its legs are so long that, when it
grazes, the colt has to spread the front legs wide
apart so as to reach the grass with its mouth. Of
course as the colt grows older its neck grows longer
36
The Colt Mammals
in proportion; for, an animal standing so high as a
horse, is obHged to have a long neck in order to feed.
HOUSE
A stable well -ventilated, dry and free from
draughts, should be provided for the colt in winter;
and plenty of bedding should be littered over the
floor.
FOOD
If it is necessary to raise the colt independently
of the mother, give it milk as fresh from a cow as
possible. Rich milk should never be given. Jersey
milk is far too rich for a colt, since it needs a milk
poor in fat. A half pint given to a colt two or three
days old is sufficient, but it should be fed often.
The milk should be prepared as follows: Take a
dessertspoonful of grantdated sugar, add enough
water to dissolve it, and add three tablespoonfuls
of lime water, and enough milk to make a pound;
warm the mixture to blood-heat, and give one-half
a teacupful every hour at first. As the colt grows
older it should be given more food but less fre-
quently. At first it should be fed twelve times, and
then nine and then six times per day, but finally
it may be fed four times daily. Bean or pea gruel,
boiled and then put through a sieve to remove the
skins is excellent food for a young colt, as is also a
jelly made from boiling meal and shorts together.
When three or four weeks of age, it shotdd be en-
couraged to nibble ground oats. If the colt is fed
milk after it is two months old, it should be gi^^en
skimmed milk. A ration of sweet skimmed milk,
grotind oats and meal is excellent food for a growing
colt. Later, grain, ground oats, and in cold weather
37
Alavimals The Colt
one-fourth the rations weight of com meal, and a
half pint of oil meal per day should be given.
CARE
Never feed sour milk, and always feed the milk
from vessels that have been scalded every day.
If the colt scours, two ounces of castor oil may be
given, and one feeding period skipped. If there is
any trouble with constipation, give half a pint of oil
meal per day in the food.
The colt should be handled properly from the first,
and should be taught obedience from the beginning,
if it is to be a useful horse. It should never be
frightened or teased. It should be taught early the
use of the halter, first to lead and then to drive;
and should early be made to "stand-over," and to
have all its feet lifted successively and held for a
time. If you need to catch the colt and lift it
do not catch it around the neck, but put one arm
under its neck and the other under its hams, i.e.,
lift it at both ends at once. A colt caught in
this way will not be frightened, as when caught by
the head. Always be gentle, firm and patient when
dealing with your colt.
REFERENCES
The Horse, /. P. Roberts.
Outdoor Work, M. R. Miller.
Domesticated Animals, N. S. Shaler.
Our Domestic Animals, C. W. Burgess.
Manual op Farm Animals, M. W. Harper.
Elements of Agriculture, Warren.
Black Beauty, Sewell.
"Kaweah's Run," by Clarence King — CLA^vs and Hoofs,
Johonnot.
John Brent, Theodore Winthrop.
Handbook of Nature-Study, A. B. Comstock.
38
I'holo by \'enie Morion
THE pI':t colt
THE DONKEY
fJOW interesting it woiild be if we could
see the ancestors of our pet donkey
for six thousand years back, all
standing in a row, with a picture
behind each showing in what
country it had lived, and what sort
of master it had had, and what sort of work it
did. It might require years to take in such a show,
and probably the ancestor at the far end of the line
would be found to be a wild, fleet animal of north-
eastern Africa, — maybe one of a herd feeding on an
oasis in the Sahara, or grazing on the scanty vegeta-
tion of desert mountains. From this wild African
species our donkeys of today are supposed to have
originated. However, there are wild species found
in Persia and Syria, and one in Thibet, and one in
northwestern India, and perhaps our especial donke^^
may have come from some of these. To this day,
herds of wild asses roam Persia and Armenia as
they did in the times of Abraham, or when Xenophon
described them four hundred years B. C. These
wild creatures can run so swiftly that Nadir Shah,
who lived two hundred years ago, considered that
running down one of these wild creatures with grey-
hounds was equal in effort to winning a battle, or
conquering a province. Its flesh was regarded as
superior to the best venison, and its hide was made
into ornamental shagreen and other valuable leather
entirely waterproof.
There are pictures of donkeys in the tombs of
ancient Thebes, which are excellent likenesses of
39
Mammals The Donkey
the little animals that today bear the burdens for
the farmers along the Nile.
George Washington introduced donkeys to the
agriculturists of the United States. Spain had long
been in the lead in breeding these animals; and to
export one from that country was prohibited. But
the King of Spain, learning of Washington's desire,
sent him two as a present. The donkey is used
extensively today in the southwestern United States
and Mexico, where its strength and endurance
as a beast cf burden make it most useful. It is
there called a burro. Donkeys are used extensively
in southern Europe, North Africa, and Asia Minor.
The best breeds are now found in Smyrna, the Is-
lands of Cypress, Spain and Peru.
The donkey is able to thrive upon food which
would starve a horse. It can subsist on one-fourth
the food necessary to keep a horse, and it can carry-
burdens on its back for long distances which would
break down a horse; and it carries these burdens
over steep mountains, and roads where a horse
wotdd stumble and fall. Its hoof is longer and nar-
rower, and more upright than that of the horse;
and the joint above it, called the pastern, is shorter
and stiffer, which renders its feet less likely to become
lame; and since the hoof is thicker and therefore
tougher than that of the horse, it is able to climb
mountains ctnd rocky trails which would tear and
bruise the horse's feet.
The donkey is a friend of the poor man, because
it can pick up a living at little expense. When
treated well, it is as affectionate as a dog. The
mother donkey is exceedingly fond of her colt.
The noted obstinacy of the animal comes probably
from long generations of cruel treatment. It is
40
The Donkey Mammals
an assertion of the creature's natural strength and
dignity which have not been crushed out through
thousands of years of abuse. For defense, the
donkey can both bite and kick. As a kicker it is
most efficient, for it can bear its weight upon its
front feet and kick with both hind legs, aiming just
where each hoof shall strike with wonderful accuracy
and precision.
The color of the donkey shotild be a mouse gray,
with a dark line along the back bone, and a dark
transverse bar across the shoulders.
For housing and feeding the donkey, follow the
directions given for caring for the pony. It
should be kept warmer than the pony in winter,
for it suffers much with cold in our northern climate.
REFERENCE
Our Domestic Animals, Burkett.
THE DONKEY
An Ass is what they called me in ancient days, long gone ;
But Donkey or Burro is my present given name;
In German I am A-zel, in France I am an Ahn,
In Egypt, a Homar bedecked with beads and fame ;
In Italian I'm Aseeno or little Aseenello —
In every land they load and whack me just the same.
But everybody knows I am a patient fellow,
Although sometimes I will not budge, because I am so game.
41
THE CALF
. HE CALF with its playful ways makes
an attractive pet. When it is first
bom it is not very steady on its legs, and
in a state of wildness it is hidden by its
mother until it becomes strong enough to
follow with the herd. It is very obedient
to its mother's training, and will remain
as still as if frozen unless actually attacked.
The hiding of the calf by its wild mother was a
necessity, since she was obliged to go far afield to
graze and get the food to be changed into milk for
the nourishment of her offspring; and, since she
was obliged to be absent for some time, while
grazing, the calf was obliged to go without nour-
ishment for some hours; this is made possible
by the large compound stomach of the calf, which
if filled twice per day affords sufficient nourishment.
Related to this large stomach of the calf, is the large
udder of the cow, which holds enough milk to fill
it ; and thus she has become usef lol to us as a milch
animal.
HOUSE
For its winter home the calf needs a well-bedded
stall in a barn or closed shed, with windows and doors
sufficient for light and ventilation. The shed
should be built on a dry, well-drained foundation,
and the ventilation should be free from draughts.
It should have fresh bedding every day or so, and its
stable should be kept clean. For a summer home
there may be a shed to give shelter from rain and the
mid-day sun in the corner of a grassy field or pasture.
42
Pholo by ]'fnif ilml.
A PEKI-liCT UNDEKsTAXDIM
•v i ^-
The Calf Mammals
FOOD
The first food the young calf should have is the
mother's milk, as this is necessary to cleanse its diges-
tive system. If for some reason this is impossible,
one or two ounces of castor oil should be given before
the calf is fed ; if the calf is to be fed by the mother
cow, it should have notirishment three times a day
until three weeks old. But if hand-raised, it should
be fed on warm, sweet milk three times a day. The
first few days this shotdd be whole milk, but it may
be changed gradually to skimmed milk; the feed-
ing periods shotdd be regtdar. During the first
week, from six to eight pounds of milk per day
should be given, and a pound should be added to
this daily ration every week with the advance in
age of the calf until the food is changed. When about
four weeks old the calf should be given skimmed milk
altogether. The change should be made gradually;
and the amount given should be increased to ten
quarts daily, but not more. When it is two or three
weeks old begin to teach the calf to eat a little grain.
Place a handful in the pail after it has finished
drinking the milk. After it has learned to eat grain,
it should be given a feed box, and when it is six
weeks old it should be able to take daily one pound
of the following mixture :
3 parts corn meal
3 parts ground oats
3 parts wheat bran
I part linseed meal
The calf should also be taught to take hay with
the grain. Let it nibble at sweet alfalfa or common
clover hay. After the first or second months, allow
it to have access to cool, clear water.
43
Mammals The Calf
CARE
If strong and healthy, the calf needs fresh air and
exercise, so there should be a large yard adjoining
its stable in which it can run about. Its manger
should be kept clean, and the pail from which it is
fed shotdd be scalded every day.
It is much easier to teach a calf to eat if it is not
allowed to take its food from its mother after the
first meal. If it is troubled with looseness of the
bowels, less food should be given for a day or two.
If troubled with lice, crude petroleum should be
rubbed along the backbone, and underneath just
where the legs join the body.
To remove the horns of the young calf: As soon
as the young horn can be felt by the hand, it should
be removed ; the hair should be clipped from around
it, then take a stick of potash, carefully wrapped,
so that it will not bum the fingers, dip in water and
rub it upon the tip of the young horn until the skin
begins to loosen and becomes red. Be very care-
ful not to touch the skin surrounding the horn with
the potash. This need not be applied but once.
REFERENCES
Outdoor Work, M. R. Miller.
]\Ianual of Farm Animals, Harper.
Elements of Agriculture, G. Warren.
Handbook of Nature-Study, A. B. Comstock.
44
Courtesy of Doiibleday . Pa. <
THE FAWN
[ERCILESS in the past has been the slaughter
of deer by our hunters and it seems
quite miraculous that we still have in
|i|)t^j North America in our wildernesses
and forest preserves, three native species
of deer. The moose is the largest ; it has a short neck,
and its food is largely twigs of trees and bushes;
the caribou lives on the cold, dry plains of British
America and is the reindeer of America, although it
has never been domesticated. But the most com-
mon of the three species is the Virginian deer,
which once dwelt everywhere in our forests, and
still breeds in our forest preserves in abundance.
This is the deer which we are most likely to have as
pets, although the fallow deer of Europe has been
introduced into America as a park pet.
Our Virginia deer, also called the white-tailed,
has a coat that is khaki colored, as is shown by the
numbers of hunters in khaki coats which are shot
by mistake each year during the hunting season.
The underparts of the animal are white, and the
fawns are spotted with white. The little fawn needs
to remain hidden while the mother feeds, and its
spotted coat looks like the ground flecked with stm-
shine, and so it is protected from the sight of its
enemies. While the large, liquid eyes of the deer
are fairly keen, yet these animals trust to their sense
of smell and hearing to give them warning of their
enemies, from whom they escape by flight. They
are rapid runners, and tremendous jtunpers and
excellent swimmers. The farmers whose lands ad-
45
AI animals The Fawn
join OUT forests preserves cannot protect their crops
with fences of ordinary height from visits of this deer.
The stags when hard-pushed are desperate fighters.
However, their great antlers are used chiefly in
fighting rivals when competing for does.
The growth of the stag's antlers is one of the most
remarkable occurrences in animal physiology. The
antlers are shed each year, and grow anew in some-
thing less than three months. They are at first
covered with the "velvet," which is a skin supplied
with blood-vessels to carry nourishment to the grow-
ing tissue. As the antlers complete their growth,
the blood supply to the velvet is checked, and the
velvet withers and ravels off. Stags are very shy
during the period when their antlers are growing,
for they are helpless if attacked, since their new
antlers are extremely sensitive and tender.
HOUSE AND RANGE
If deer are kept in a park, a dry, well-drained
shelter-shed, kept well-bedded, will prove sufficient.
There should be plenty of fresh clean water in the
park or enclosure, so that the deer may bathe as
well as drink. A large park is needed if a herd of
both sexes are kept together. If the park is small,
one stag with several does will thrive in it ; but close
quarters often leads the stags to fight each other,
they are especially quarrelsome at the beginning of
autumn.
FOOD
In a park the deer find the grass and foliage suffici-
ent food ; in addition they need a slab of rock salt to
lick, and dry, clean, large bones to chew, if the shed
antlers are taken away. In winter hay, oats, apples,
46
The Fawn Mammals
turnips, beets, potatoes, carrots, cabbage, or prun-
ings from the orchard can be given to supplement
browsing.
CARE OF THE FAWN
Usually two fawns are born at a time in late spring,
in some sheltered thicket. For a few days the fawn
simply lies close and quiet, and is fed by the mother,
and does not stir unless she gives the signal. There
is the closest possible relation between the mother
doe and her young.
It is only when taken very young that a fawn makes
an attractive pet. It soon learns to know who feeds
it, and will follow its little master or mistress around
with devotion. It is also playful and very amusing.
In general, it should have the treatment and food
given the calf.
Although the fawn when young is attractive as a
pet, it does not remain so. Before it is half grown
it is likely to have become dangerous ; in fact, Dr.
Hornaday, who has had extensive experience with
deer of all kinds, regards them as too dangerous
to be used as pets.
REFERENCES
American Animals, Stone and Cram.
The Life of Animals, Ernest Ingersoll.
The Deer Family, T. Roosevelt.
"TheRingwaakBuck," in The Haunters of the Silences,
C. G. D. Roberts.
"Following the Deer," in Secrets of the Woods, and
"What Fawns Must Know," in The School of the Woods,
W. J. Long.
Wild Animals Every Child Should Know, Julia E. Rogers.
47
THE COSSET LAMB
lHIS playful little creature makes a
delightful comrade, and becomes very
much attached to its boy and girl play-
mates. As a matter of fact, the older
lambs have games which they play con-
stantly by themselves. One is a true game
of "FoUow-my-leader." Each lamb runs
as fast as it can, pushing ahead to attain the place
of leader; when it succeeds, it leads its followers a
hard chase over most difficult places, across streams,
over stone piles, and logs, or any other obstacles it
may find. This game is of great use to the lambs
that belong to the wild flocks; because, when
sheep are attacked by wolves or other creatures,
the leader, who is a wise old sheep, leads the
flock over streams and chasms and rocks in a flight
which leaves the enemy behind because of the diffi-
culties of the trail.
The other game which lambs play is peculiar to
stony districts. The lamb climbs to the top of a
boulder, and its comrades gather around and try
to butt it off. The one who succeeds in doing this
climbs the rock and is "it," and strives hard to keep
its position. This kind of training would enable a
sheep to climb to a difficult position and protect
itself against an enemy trying to reach it from be-
low. A pet lamb of ours had a game which consisted
in jumping across thresholds. It wotild run from
room to room and at the thresholds would leap high
in the air, as if it were jiimping a fence or rock.
The lamb's long legs serve to enable it to follow its
48
THE COSSET LAMB
lHIS playftil little creature makes a
delightftil comrade, and becomes very
much attached to its boy and girl play-
mates. As a raatter of fact, the older
lambs have games which they play con-
stantly by themselves. One is a true game
of " FoUow-my -leader. " Each lamb runs
as fast as it can, pushing ahead to attain the place
of leader; when it succeeds, it leads its followers a
hard chase over most difficult places, across streams,
over stone piles, and logs, or any other obstacles it
may find. This game is of great use to the lambs
that belong to the wild flocks; because, when
sheep are attacked by wolves or other creatures,
the leader, who is a wise old sheep, leads the
flock over streams and chasms and rocks in a flight
which leaves the enemy behind because of the diffi-
culties of the trail.
The other game which lambs play is peculiar to
stony districts. The lamb climbs to the top of a
boulder, and its comrades gather around and try
to butt it off. The one who succeeds in doing this
climbs the rock and is "it," and strives hard to keep
its position. This kind of training would enable a
sheep to climb to a difficult position and protect
itself against an enemy trying to reach it from be-
low. A pet lamb of ours had a game which consisted
in jumping across thresholds. It would run from
room to room and at the thresholds would leap high
in the air, as if it were jiimping a fence or rock.
The lamb's long legs serve to enable it to follow its
48
THE COSSET LAMB
lHIS playful little creature makes a
delightful comrade, and becomes very
m,uch attached to its boy and girl play-
mates. As a matter of fact, the older
lambs have games which they play con-
stantly by themselves . One is a true game
of "FoUow-my -leader." Each lamb runs
as fast as it can, pushing ahead to attain the place
of leader; when it succeeds, it leads its followers a
hard chase over most difficult places, across streams,
over stone piles, and logs, or any other obstacles it
may find. This game is of great use to the lambs
that belong to the wild flocks; because, when
sheep are attacked by wolves or other creatures,
the leader, who is a wise old sheep, leads the
flock over streams and chasms and rocks in a flight
which leaves the enemy behind because of the diffi-
culties of the trail.
The other game which lambs play is peculiar to
stony districts. The lamb climbs to the top of a
boulder, and its comrades gather around and try
to butt it off. The one who succeeds in doing this
climbs the rock and is "it," and strives hard to keep
its position. This kind of training would enable a
sheep to climb to a difficult position and protect
itself against an enemy trying to reach it from be-
low. A pet lamb of ours had a game which consisted
in jumping across thresholds. It would run from
room to room and at the thresholds would leap high
in the air, as if it were jumping a fence or rock.
The lamb's long legs serve to enable it to follow its
48
The Cosset Lamb Af animals
mother when it is only a few hours old. A sheep
shows anger by stamping on the ground with its
front feet, but its weapon of defense is its hard head
armed with horns.
HOUSE
The lamb is a timid little animal and easily fright-
ened, and cannot be kept in a dark, poorly ventilated
bam or shed, neither can it endure rain or cold.
It should have a clean, dry, well-ventilated, sun-
lighted place to sleep in. A stall in the bam does
very well, or a shed may be built for it. If a lamb
is not allowed to run about the premises, it should
have an open yard in which to take its exercise ; and
in the summer it shoiild be given shade. Straw
bedding, changed often, should make the sleeping
place comfortable,
FOOD
Young lambs are very delicate, and if one must
be raised by hand it must be fed from a bottle with
a rubber nipple. Modified cow's milk, heated to
103° F. shoiild be given in small amounts but often.
At the age of ten days or two weeks the lamb will
begin to eat a little grain ; this should be given twice
daily, but care should be taken not to give any more
than is eaten. After the lamb has learned to eat
grain, feed the following ration:
5 parts of cracked com .
5 parts of wheat bran
I part of oil meal, coarsely ground
When beginning to give full feed, the grain shoiild
be given sparingly, and hay liberally. At the
49
Mammals The Cosset Lamb
beginning, feed one-fourth pound of grain daily,
and gradually increase this to one pound. An older
lamb may be fed com silage or beets and other roots.
REFERENCES
"Flocks and Herds," in Domesticated Animals, A''. Y.
Shaler.
Outdoor Work, M. R. Miller.
Life of Animals, Ernest Ingersoll.
Our Domestic Animals, C. W. Burkett.
The Flock, Mary Austin.
On the grass}'' banks
Lambkins at their pranks ;
Woolly sisters, woolly brothers
Jumping o£E their feet
While their woolly mothers
Watch by them and bleat.
Christina Rossetti.
A frisky lamb
And a frisky child
Playing their pranks
In a cowslip meadow .
The sky all blue
And the air all mild
And the fields all sun
And the lanes half shadow.
Christina Rossetti.
50
From Country Lije in America
"drink, pretty creature, drink'
I'hul,, by Vau,- Mnrl.
lAKIM. A DKIV
THE GOAT
E CAN never really become acquainted
with the goat until we see it in its
native mountains. The steeper and
rougher the mountains the better
for the goat, for its muscles are like
steel springs, and it leaps up and down steep places,
getting a foothold on narrow ledges, and seems
to enjoy looking down from dizzy heights.
If we think for a moment, we can easily tinder-
stand this development of agility on the part of this
animal. In all wild places there are even today
animals of prey which feed upon small mammals
of sweet flesh, like the goat and sheep. So it is
much to the advantage of the goat to be able to seek
safety in the rocky fastnesses of mountains where,
if followed by wolf or panther, it can escape b3^
leaping across chasms, or find refuge on some shelf
of rock where the enemy cannot follow. As a natural
result of this, the wild goat through the ages has
been obliged to live upon the scanty verdure of the
rocks, and to be able to derive nourishment from
moss and bark, and even from those poisonous herbs
like the hemlock that Socrates drank as a death
potion. So we need not be surprised when we see
goats eat posters, newspapers, or old clothing. It
is a part of their nature to try anything in their
reach, on th3 chance that it may prove a nourishing
morsel.
Nor need we wonder if we see our goats climbing
to the roofs of sheds, or walking along the top rail
of a fence, or if they are able to walk a tight-rope
SI
Mammals The Goat
in the show. It is most unnatural for a goat to stay
upon the flat ground; also it is never dizzy, and
is perfectly sure of its footing in hazardous situations.
Goats are sagacious animals, and a few are often
kept with the great droves of sheep on our western
ranches. The goat's office in a flock of sheep is
that of leader, and the sheep have perfect confidence
in him in this respect. For instance, a goat will lead
a herd of sheep across a single log above a mountain
torrent with perfect safety. If the herd is attacked
by wolves or other enemies, the goat will give warning
by its cries, while sheep are always silent rmder such
an attack.
Perhaps none of our domestic animals have been
so widely useful to man the world over as the goat.
When man was a Nomad he took with him in his
wanderings his herd of goats. He drank their
milk, ate their flesh, wove their hair into clothing,
made garments of their pelts, and used their skins
for bags in which to carry a supply of water. These
goat-skin waterbags are often seen in Mohammedan
cormtries about the Mediterranean at the present
day. Indeed, in the Orient, all these uses of the
goat mentioned above continue at present. Even
in cities of Southern Europe herds of goats are driven
along the streets to be milked at the doors of cus-
tomers. A common sight in Naples is a goat climb-
ing two or three flights of stairs in a tenement, so
as to reach the door of her patron.
Many countries have developed their special
breeds of goats. The Swiss farmers have found
this animal especially adapted to the mountainous
pastures ; and in some isolated valleys, encompassed
by mountains, like the Saane and Toggenburg
valleys, there have been developed breeds of goats
52
The G at Mammals
which have won world-wide reputations. In Asia
Minor the long-haired Angora goat has been devel-
oped ; and in Cashmere has been bred the long-haired
goat whose fleece is used for the making of the
famous Cashmere shawls.
In America we have a native wild goat, although
it is more nearly related to the antelope than to the
goat family; it lives in the Rocky Mountains and
the Cascade ranges. It has white shaggy hair, and
black feet, eyes and nose, and slender but efficient
black horns. There have been some very exciting
stories written and told about the adventures of
hunters when pursuing this animal.
"As playful as a kid", is a common expression, and
is founded upon observation. The only way for the
kid to develop its steel-spring muscles for maturity,
is to keep in constant activity when young. In fact
a kid goes into training very shortly after it is bom.
HOME
The winter home of the goat needs to be warm and
light, and be funished with a plentiful supply of dry
bedding. It should be cleaned often, so that it will
be dry and fresh, otherwise it becomes bad smelling.
The goat, of all the animals, must have plenty of fresh
air and exercise, so the year round it should have access
to a yard or field where it can browse and roam about.
During the summer it does not need to be housed.
The fence about the pastures should be well-made,
and with no boards leaning up against it, for the goat
can walk up a leaning board and jump over a fence
quite as easily as a boy.
53
JM avimals The Goat
FOOD
The goat is not dainty about its food, and eats what
other animals refuse. However, it thrives better on
good food, such as corn fodder, cowpea, clover hay
and alfalfa. Oats, com and bran are valuable as
winter food. The goat likes more salt than do sheep
and must have a plentiful supply of water at all times.
If the goat is housed in the winter, give it twigs of
hazel, box-elder, or maple to browse upon for enter-
tainment.
CARE
The goat should never be teased. This spoils its
temper, as well as its attractiveness. If it is an An-
gora goat, it should be combed and washed about
twice a month during the summer. All goats like
to be caressed. If treated kindly, bucks will learn
to draw their boy-masters in a carriage or cart. Bu.t
if teased, they often refuse to work, and will die
sooner than yield.
CARE OF THE KID
A kid of a milch goat should be separated from the
mother soon, and fed from a nursery bottle. It should
be weaned gradually. The Angora kid should be
weaned when four months old. The kids especially
need plenty of fresh air, a field for play and exercise,
and a dry, comfortable place in which to rest.
REFERENCES
Outdoor Work, M. R. Miller.
Our Domestic Animals, C. W. Burkett.
Flocks and Herds, in Domesticated Animals, A''. 5. Shaler.
American Animals, Stone and Cram.
"The Angora Goat," Farmer's Bulletin No. 137, U. S.
Dept. of Agriculture.
54
THE PIG
"A nice little pig with a querly tail,
All soft as satin and pinky pale,
Is a very different thing by far,
Than the lumps of iniquity big pigs are."
"""■'■""■ HE change noted in this rhyme between the
httle pig and the big one is not altogether
U^^ the pig's fault, but rather because of the
poor care given him by ignorant people
who make him a creature of filth.
A little pig makes a charming pet. It is pretty
and neat and very intelligent. It will soon know the
little master or mistress who feeds it, and will follow
those it loves like a devoted dog. It is sufficiently
clever so that it may be taught many tricks, and will
repay patient training.
One of the most interesting- things about a pig is
its nose; this fleshy disk surrounding the nostrils is
a most sensitive organ of feeling. By its use a pig
can select com from chaff; at the same time it is so
strong that with it the ground may be rooted up in
search for food. A pig's sense of smell is as keen as
that of a dog, and there are many instances on record
of a pig being trained as a pointer for hunting birds ;
it shows a keener intelligence in this capacity than
do dogs. In France, pigs are taught to hunt for
truffles, which are edible fungi growing upon tree
roots far below the surface of the ground.
Though the pig 's eyes are small, they gleam with
intelligence. Pigs are often trained for shows, by
teaching them how to pick out cards and count, and
many other intelligent tricks . When the pig is allowed
55
M aiiDu als The Pig
to roam in the woods, it lives on roots, nuts and
forage, being especially fond of, acorns and beech-
nuts; and it has a remarkable record for destroying
rattlesnakes. The pig has quite an extended lan-
guage which its little master will become interested
in studying. There is the constant grunting which
keeps the herd of swine together; there is the squeal
of anger and discontent; the satisfied grunt of enjoy-
ment of food, the squeal of terror, and a nasal growl
of defiance, and many more vocal expressions.
FOOD FOR THE LITTLE PIG
The pet pig is usually one that has in some way be-
come separated from the litter, and must be brought
up by hand. It should be given at first a very
small quantity of cow's milk, which is luke-warm;
this may be given from a nursing bottle with a rubber
nipple, exactly as if prepared for a child; it should
be fed every two hours, for three or four days, and
after that, every three hours; if it grows and is vig-
orous, it may be fed every four hoirrs; and finally it
should be fed ioxu: times a day. When about three
weeks of age it may be fed three times daily, bu.t the
milk must be sweet, and the trough or basin in which
it is fed must be kept clean, or digestive disorders will
follow. Occasionally the milk may be replaced with
bran or shorts made into a gruel; later, grain soaked
for twenty-four hours may be fed. As it grows old-
er, it should have plenty of green food, which may be
in the form of roots of all kinds, clover or other accept-
able forage. The pig is a thirsty animal, and should
have access to clear water; when young cold water,
especially in winter, should not be given to it.
56
The Pig Mammals
HOUSE
It is well to have a little portable pen for a pet pig.
This may be made of boards shaped like an A tent.
If the ground is dry it does not need a floor. There
should be a ventilator at the top of the pen that is
protected from the rain ; this may be gained by plac-
ing a window near the peak on each side. A door
about two feet wide should be put in one side opening
into a yard fenced with chicken wire. The bottom
of the pen must be arranged so that it can be kept
clean and dry; if the ground is wet, it should have
a floor. The house should be tight and warm in the
winter, and cool and well- ventilated in the summer.
CARE
Plenty of fresh bedding shotdd be given to the pig ;
this may be of straw or shavings. The bed should
be separated by a board from the remainder of the
pen, since the pig is a very neat animal in its habits
and will not make its own bed foul. The floor should
slope away from the bed. Plenty of fresh water
should be given, and some shade should be provided
in the summer. The pen should be cleaned every day.
If it is possible, it is best for a pet pig to be allowed
free range of the premises, for only thus when he is
given the full companionship which we usually give
to a dog, will the pig develop his full intelligence and
charm as a pet.
REFERENCES
Outdoor Work, M. R. Miller.
Elementary Agriculture, Warren.
Our Domestic Animals, Burkett.
Lives of Animals, Ingersoll.
Camera Adventures in African Wilds, Dugmore.
Handbook of Nature-Study, A. B. Comstock.
57
MONKEYS
/M ANY of us are tempted to look upon the
^ ^ monkey as a little man ; it so much re-
sembles human beings in form and action
that we endow it with human attributes.
I However, the dog is often mentally and
morally much more like us than is the
monkey.
The monkey, in a natural state, lives in the trees of
the tropics, and only comes to the ground when
necessary. Its long, strong hands and feet are made
for grappling branches, and the muscles of the legs
and arms are fitted to sustain the body of the animal
as it swings from one branch to another. Some
species in South America have the tail developed to
seize hold of branches and help in tree travel. It is
not natural for a monkey to walk upright, and it is
cruel to force it into this position. It is quite impos-
sible for the monkey to carry the head upright,
because of the way it is joined to the body; the
monkey naturally walks on "all foLirs."
Thus, as we watch the antics of this fascinating pet
we must always think of the monkey as a dweller in
trees, and we should give it as much of its natural
surroundings as possible. We shotdd read all the
nature books and travel books that deal with the
forests of .the tropics, and thus learn how monkeys
live when at home. Kipling's Jungle Stories tell us
much of interest that is true.
Monkeys are very imitative, and are certainly not
without the power of reasoning. For instance: A
Professor of Physiology in the Cornell Medical Col-
58
Monkeys Mammals
lege, in making some experiments upon the vitality of
the body, wished to keep the monkey upon which he
was experimenting awake all night to see how this
would affect his physical condition; so an alarm
clock was set to ring at frequent intervals during the
night. In the morning the professor found the
monkey fast asleep, and the alarm clock standing on
its head in a pail of water.
The most common monkeys in captivity are the
Bunder or Rhesus of India, and the Capuchins of
South America; both of these are used by organ
grinders; both are intelligent, and become very
devoted to their masters. The Rhesus is the most
common monkey in India; it has a short tail, and
yellowish brown fur, and the old males are very dis-
agreeable and dangerous pets. The Capuchins have
their hair done pompadour, and have long, strong tails
with which they climb. A Capuchin likes to hang by
the tail from a branch of some very high tree, stretch
out its arms and legs to keep its balance, and then
drop, perhaps thirty feet, accurately seizing with its
tail another branch as it lands. It is very fond of
oranges, bananas and sweets. It makes a most
interesting pet, although the males as they grow old
develop disagreeable dispositions. In fact, it is more
desirable to select a female of any species of monkey
as a pet, as she is more amiable and affectionate than
her mate. However, the monkeys are a sociable folk,
and enjoy themselves much better if given com-
panions of their own species.
HOUSE
The indoor cage for the monkey should be as large
as possible to allow the active animal plenty of oppor-
59
Mammals Monkeys
tunity for exercise. The perches shotild be made of
stout branches ; the floor should be well-covered with
straw, or sawdust, which should be renewed fre-
quently. At the top of the cage there should be a
sleeping box, which can be removed to be cleaned.
The cage should be kept in an even temperature of
about 75° F.
An out-of-door home can be given the monkey in
our warm southern climate, and in the summer in the
north. The house should be at least six feet square,
and be placed in a well-sheltered position, and the
floor should be raised above the ground. There
should be connected with the house an outside run
covered with netting. In both house and run there
should be strong perches, and the whole establish-
ment should be thoroughly cleaned often.
In placing the monkey out of doors it is often more
desirable not to cage him at all, as he is so restless and
active; in that case his range may be limited by
fastening him to some object with a light chain, so
that he can be moved from place to place occasionally.
Wherever his home is, the pet should be warm and
comfortable. He shotild have plenty of covering,
and be kept free from any dampness. He shotild also
be kept clean,
FOOD
The monkey is fond of most of the food which we
eat, but should be given little animal food. The
following is recommended: Boiled rice or tapioca,
baked or boiled potatoes, ripe bananas and ripe sweet
apple, stale bread, occasionally a small raw onion and
at all times plenty of raw carrots, as this vegetable
has a very excellent effect upon the digestive system.
Whole peanuts roasted may be given occasionally,
60
Monkeys Mammals
and also a half of an orange, and ripe grapes. Mon-
keys should be fed twice a day, in the early morning
and at noon. In the morning bread should be given,
and at noon bananas or other fruit. Change of food
from day to day helps keep the appetite good, but
bread shoiild always be given for breakfast.
To the Ringtail monkey give whole peanuts
roasted, half an orange, grapes, and a little sweet
apple and boiled potatoes, lettuce or carrots, and
bread. Occasionally, give egg and condensed milk
beaten together, and a little lime water added now
and then. Water should be given frequently.
Monkeys of different species eat different kinds
of food in their wild condition; and we should read
all that we can find concerning the species we have
for a pet, so as to feed and treat it intelligently.
Mr. Ferdinand Engeholm of the New York Zoolog-
ical Gardens who kindly gave me the above dietary
for monkeys especially recommends that the individ-
ual tastes of the pet be studied and that a frequent
change of food be offered.
CARE
Monkeys shotild never be kept in a temperature
below 70°, because they are animals of the tropics,
and cold and dampness bring on rheumatism and
tuberctilosis. They must be kept in a place entirely
protected from draughts; if kept in cages, they shoiild
be large, at least four feet square, for the common
Ringtail. To protect from draughts it is well to have
the cage of wood on three sides, with tight floor and
with the front side wired. Plenty of straw should
be given for bedding.
Mr. Engeholm advises the following simple rem-
edies when needed: To prevent constipation one-
61
Mammals Monkeys
half a teaspoonful of olive oil should be given twice
a week. If the monkey is afflicted with diarrhoea,
it should be given a mixture made by beating a white
of egg with a little sugar, and adding a small amount
of blackberry brandy.
A monkey given the proper care is washed and
combed often, properly fed at regular intervals,
never teased, and should be allowed as much liberty
as possible. It is very sensitive, and responds readily
to kindness like the dog. It resents being laughed
at, but a kind master is soon regarded as a real
friend from whom it dislikes to be separated.
Monkeys have many diseases, some of them inci-
dent upon the change of climate; and because this
creature is so nearly like us in form, it should, when
ill, be attended by a regular physician, and treated
like a sick child.
THE MONKEY
Look now at his odd grimaces,
Saw you e'er such comic faces?
Now Hke learned judge sedate,
Now with nonsense in his pate.
Ha! he is not half asleep.
See, he slyly takes a peep !
Monkey, though your eyes are shut,
You could see this little nut.
There, the little ancient man
Cracks as fast as e'er he can ;
NoAv, good-bye, you funny fellow,
Nature's primest Punchinello !
Mary Howitt.
62
THE MAM]
'SET
*HE beautiful little marmosets
have their native home in Gui-
ana and Brazil. They
have long and exquisitely
■ soft fur, striped with black
on white or reddish yel-
low. The tail is long and full, and
ringed with black. On each side of
the face, just beneath the ears, is a
large fan-like tuft of white hairs, giving the appear-
ance- of a pectdiar headdress.
Marmosets are beautiful and gentle, but they
suffer severely from cold in our climate ; they become
very much attached to their masters if they are kind-
ly treated. A pet marmoset loves to sit on its mas-
ter 's hand with its little paws clinging to his fingers,
and with tail curled about his wrist ; and if chilly, it
will hide beneath his coat, and cuddle up to his warm
body. It is particularly fond of catching flies and
eating them, and also considers cockroaches delicate
morsels. A full-grown marmoset has a body from
seven or eight inches long, and a tail a foot in length.
FOOD
Bananas, raw carrots, boiled potatoes, shelled
peanuts, almost all kinds of fruit, Malaga grapes cut
in half, meal worms and sweet crackers are all in the
marmoset dietary. Once a day egg and milk mixed
as if for egg-nog should be given ; bread may be soak-
ed in this raixture and condensed milk should be
used.
63
T h e Marmoset Ma ni nials
CARE
The cage should be provided with branches for
the little creature to climb around upon, and should
be large enough to allow it plenty of exercise. It
must have a nest box, with plenty of warm bedding.
One marmoset which we saw had a little wool com-
fortable for its box, and it was interesting to see it
get underneath this and pull it up over its shoulders
and head in a truly human way.
REFERENCES
The Life op Animals, Ernest Ingersoll.
Apes and Monkeys, R. L. Gamer.
Explorations and Adventures in Equatorial South
Africa and Gorilla Land. Paul du Chaillu.
"The Song in the Night," and "The Trail up the Wind,"
Under the Roof of the Jungle, C. L. Bull.
"Kaas Hunting," The First Jungle Book, Kipling.
THE MARMOSET
I am a little marmoset !
My whiskers make a white-rosette
On either side my face.
My longish tail with rings is set
ni twist it round your wrist, if let.
To hold me fimi in place.
Bring all the insects you can get ;
Bring also a warm coverlet.
And I will be your loA^ng pet
For many happy days.
64
RABBITS AND HARES
WASHING UP.
#% /^NE winter evening quite late
ML.'.. .; ■-, ^^^ as we chanced to stop beside
^ ■ a spruce tree to look at the
stars, we were startled by
Thump ! Thtimp ! Thump !
something striking the ground
hard under the spruce. We
listened; again it came im-
periously, then we started to investigate, when
Molly Cottontail, or probably her husband, came
out from under the spruce and loped off over the
snow. It was a thump of defiance we had heard,
because we ventured too near the cover of this little
creature. This same sound is used for warning when
several are playing together and one perceives the
enemy.
Even more interesting than the domestic rabbits
are these little wild cottontails. In mowing our
orchard one day we found a Molly Cottontail's nest,
it was under a raspberry bush, and at first sight seemed
lined with felt of fur and grass; but to our amaze-
ment we found this felt carpet was a coverlet for
four young cottontails, which promptly fied helter-
skelter in the grass; for they seemed to know when
their cover was off that they were in plain sight of
the enemy; and we said "What a wise little mother,
to tuck in her youngesters so safely when she was
obliged to leave them."
The cottontails are very well fitted for the life
they lead. They are grey in color, which renders
them almost invisible. They have long ears, which
65
M ammals Rabbits and Hares
are very sensitive, and hear the least noise at a long
distance. The eyes are keen and placed on the bulg-
ing part of the head, so as to see in all directions.
The nose is sensitive, and is always moving to pick
up stray smells ; and above all, the hind legs are long
and strong, and enable these creatures to flee from
danger with great rapidity and ease.
The cottontails like briar patches, and fields partly
covered with brush, and partly with grass. They
make runways through such places by cutting awa}'
the small stems and grasses. A runway is usually
about five inches wide, and just high enough so the
hare can flee through. These roads cross and criss-
cross each other, and if a dog or fox is chasing the
hare, there is little chance for it to follow in these
intricate cross roads. The cottontails find the night
safest for feeding and wandering and playing. They
play' amusing games among themselves, — something
like tag, and leap-frog.
In America we have no species of true rabbits, al-
though we caU them by that name. Instead, they
are hares. The difference between a rabbit and a
hare is not very great structurally, although the rab-
bit is not so adept in running or jiomping as the hare.
The chief difference between the two lies in their
habits. The rabbits are burrowing, animals, while
the hares live in "forms", which are nests on the sur-
face of the ground, consisting of grass, beaten down
or eaten out for a space large enough to accommodate
the animal; the form is made in a protected situa-
tion, under a bush or tree. Hares rarely nest in holes,
but sometimes, when hard pressed by dogs, they
take refuge in a woodchuck burrow.
Hares and rabbits are not without means of de-
fense. Either can fight an enemy by leaping over
66
Rabbits and Hares Mammals
it and kicking it savagely with its strong hind-feet.
They can also bite, and the bucks sometimes injure
each other in this manner. There is one record, at
least, of a Belgian hare that butted cats like a billy-
goat, until all the cats in the neighborhood were
afraid of her.
VARIETIES OF RABBITS
All our many breeds of domesticated rabbits are
supposed to have descended from a species that still
abounds in the regions of the Mediterranean Sea.
With the exception of the dog, the rabbit has been
bred by man to greater variations than has any other
mammal. The most noted breeds are the following:
The Lop-eared is an English breed; for at least
one hundred and fifty years careftil attention has
been given to developing the ears of this rabbit, until
they have been known to measure twenty-three
inches in length, and six inches in width. These rab-
bits show great variety in color.
The Belgian hare is really a rabbit. It has been
developed especially for size, and has been used ex-
tensively for food in Europe.
The Angora rabbit has fine, long fur; sometimes
its hair is six or seven inches long, and much atten-
tion must be given to combing it in order to keep it
decent. The most prized Angoras are albinos.
The Himalayan rabbit is white, with nose, ears,
tail and feet black, or very dark. It is a very pretty
animal, and is bred for beauty in Europe. It has
no connection whatever with the Himalayan Moun-
tains.
The Dutch rabbits are small, sweet-tempered, and
handsomely colored. The cheeks, eyes and the en-
tire body back of the shoulders are of solid dark col-
67
Mammals Rabbits a?id Hares
ors, often black. The hind feet, and the front feet
and legs, the neck and jaws are white.
The Silver-gray breed has fur which is very thick
and soft, and the color of chinchilla. The Silver-
fawn and the Silver-brown are similar.
The Flemish Giant has iron grey ftir above and is
white beneath.
The Japanese rabbits have orange fur, and are
banded with black on the hind quarters.
The Polish rabbits are albino, with pink eyes.
HOUSE
Pet rabbits are usually kept in boxes or hutches.
These should be built in a way to protect the animal
from the rain and cold, and at the same time to ad-
mit fresh air and to be easily cleaned. For an ordi-
nary sized rabbit, the hutch could be at least a yard
long, and eighteen inches wide and high. The ends
must be draft-proof, and the roof water-tight, and
the hutch floor should be raised above the ground.
If the rabbits are not allowed their liberty, the hutch
may be surrormded by a yard covered with wire
netting.
There shotild be a sleeping apartment partitioned
off from one end of the hutch. The hutch should be
bedded down with sawdust, and on top of this, in
the sleeping apartment, there should be plenty of
clean, fresh straw or hay. The sawdust in the out-
side room will need to be renewed daily, but not so
often in the sleeping room.
It is best, if possible, to allow the rabbits out-door
runs. These may be made of wire netting, but it
must be remembered that the rabbits are burrowers,
and so the netting shotdd be set down into the ground
for a distance. If the run is small it should be roof-
68
Rabbits and Hares M amtnals
ed over. In any case, if several rabbits are kept to-
gether, each should have a retiring room.
FOOD
Rabbits and hares are vegetarians. Their chief
food should be hay, clover, oats, and bran; and green
food, such as grass, cabbage, a little dandelion, or
parsley; and roots, such as carrots, beets and parsnips.
They eat the hay used for bedding, so it should be of
good quality, and liberal in amount. They are espec-
ially fond of clover hay. The oats, bran or meal
should be dampened so as to be crumbly, but not
sloppy. Too much moist food is likely to prove fatal ;
in general, the drier the food the better the rab-
bit thrives. If there are no green vegetables, bread-
crusts, either dry or soaked in water or milk, and
squeezed, make good food. The oats may be given
as an evening meal, the greens may be given at noon;
the green food should not be wet, frosted, or weath-
ered. When many cabbage leaves are fed, the hutch
is likely to have a "rabbity" smell. Food should
be given in vessels that have the edges turned inward
so the rabbit cannot easily scratch the food out.
These feeding pans should be kept very clean.
Water should be given in a vessel securely fastened
to avoid spilling, and the water should be kept fresh.
If soaked bread, or succulent green stuff is given, the
water is not needed.
CARE
It is very important that rabbits be given exercise
as freely as possible, if they are confined in a hutch.
If they have good runways they will exercise them-
selves.
Mammals Rabbits and Hares
When handled, a rabbit should not be Hfted by the
ears alone. Clasp the ears or the loose skin of the
back with one hand, and bear the animal's weight
with the other. If treated kindly and gently, rabbits
become very tame, and in many homes they have
the range of the premises.
Rabbits are likely to have dropsy or diarrhoea from
being fed too much green food. When attacked by
these they should be fed hay and oats. They are
also likely to suffer from colds and pneumonia. Mucus
flows from the nose, and great care shotdd be taken
to prevent the mucus from hardening and thus stop
the animal's breath. The nose should be bathed
with hot water at least twice a day, and the patient
should be given a warm soft bed. A little hot milk
may be given, and potato parings boiled with bran.
Some rabbits suffer from disease of the paws. This
usually comes from filthy hutches, and may be pre-
vented more readily than cured.
CARE OF THE DOE AND YOUNG
The doe carries her young about thirty days and
her sleeping room should be kept private when a
litter is expected, and she should be kept very quiet.
She will make her own nest of the hay, lining it with
her own fur which she pulls out for that purpose.
She should not be disturbed soon after the young are
born, else she may devour her litter.
The young rabbits are born blind and helpless,;
and are covered with very scanty soft silky fur.
When the mother is off feeding, we may be permitted
to peep in to see if any are dead or deformed, and if so
we should remove them. After nine days the eyes of
the little rabbits open. Before a month old the
70
Rabbits and Hares Mammals
youngsters can move about, and may be fed, but
should not be taken away from the mother before
they are two months old.
Bread and milk is good for a doe and litter. Fine
bran, to which a little scraped carrot has been added,
may be given after a little. Oat meal dampened may
also be given. After weaning the litter, the sexes
should be separated.
For References see those for Guinea Pig.
MOLLY COTTONTAIL
I am little Molly Cottontail, my fur is nice and gray,
And if to see me you should fail ; I was meant to be that way.
I look just like the hay.
My ears are very, very tall when I listen for m_y foe
And down along my back they fall when I am lying low.
But every sound I know.
My eyes are placed so I can see behind and front as well.
My nice nose wabbles constantly — ^my enemy to smell —
Before he comes pell mell.
I have some bunny comrades gay, by night we jump and run.
Leapfrog and tag, we like to play and have whole loads of fun.
And fear not dog nor gun.
For we always have a guard, a sentinel to peer.
Who thumps the ground so hard that all of us can hear
If an enemy comes near.
We flee through briar and thorn, in runways none can follow,
My home is in a cosy form down in the grassy hollow,
Where all the weeds run fallow.
And there I make the nest for my bunnies, blind and wee.
I pluck the soft fur from my breast to cover them when it is best
That I should elsewhere be.
71
THE GUINEA PIG
■\HESE compact little rodents are
related to the rabbits. Indeed, in
Patagonia there is a species with long
legs very much like those of a hare,
a distinct tail and long ears. So
that whatever this little aniraal is,
it is not a pig, nor does it come from
Gtiinea ; for South America is the native land of the
Guinea pig and its near relations; and they dwelt
there long before man came, for we find their skele-
tons among the fossils of that region.
The cavy family is a large one, containing many
species, some of which are not much larger than mice,
and others of all sizes up to that of a half -grown
pig. These many species have differing habits.
Some live in the mountains with dens in the rocks;
others live in the rich river valleys, and do much
damage to crops; others live mostly in the water,
while many inhabit the high table lands. Many of
the lofty plains of the Andes mountains are so under-
mined by the burrows of the cavies, that it is danger-
ous to attempt to cross them on horseback, since the
horse is likely to fall and break a leg. The prairie
dogs make some of our western plains likewise
dangerous.
Although some species of cavies feed during the
day, most of them feed during certain hours of the
night. Their food consists of roots, and many kinds
of vegetables and fruits. One species in Patagonia
has been known to climb trees to feed upon their fruit,
but this is a very unusual cavy accomplishment.
72
The Guinea Pig Mammals
Cavies form a prized article of food among the
South American Indians. Oiir common pet is sup-
posed to have been developed from the species called
"Cutler's cavy," which had been domesticated in
ancient times by the Incas of Peru; mummies of
cavies are found in their cemeteries.
While many of the species, in a wild state, breed
only twice per year, our domesticated varieties pro-
duce their litters about every two months. An in-
teresting thing about the little Guinea pigs is that
they are most precocious babies; they are fully
dressed in long hairy coats, and have their eyes open
when they are bom. They are quite capable of
running along beside the mother when they are but
a few hours old, and they reach their full growth in
from three to five months.
The best known varieties of this pet are as follows :
The English, which has a short, smooth coat, like the
original wild cavy, and with varying colors. The
Abyssinian which has a rough coat, arranged in cow-
licks of rosettes. The Angora which has a smooth
coat of long, soft hair, and occurs in many colors and
patterns. The Peruvian has the long hair of the
Angora, and the rosettes of the Abyssinian, and is a
most frowsy little creature. While all these varieties
may have several colors, there are those of one color
which are called self-colored; and there are albinos
with white hair and pink eyes in all the breeds. The
colors recognized are the agouti, consisting of black
or brown hairs tipped with yeUow, black, chocolate,
or brown and yellow.
HOUSE
The Guinea pig should be kept in a hutch inside of
a house or shed of some kind. It cannot stand
73
Mammals The Guinea Pig
exposure to the cold, and should not be kept where
the temperature falls below freezing. An inverted
box a foot square with a six-inch hole in the side may
be used as a nest for one Guinea pig. It should be
filled with straw or hay.
FOOD
Guinea pigs live exclusively on vegetable food.
They are very fond of fresh grass, lettuce, celery
leaves, beet tops, plantain, watercress, dandelions
and parsley. Apples are also appreciated now and
then. But if we wish to keep our Guinea pigs
thoroughly well, we will furnish them with a constant
supply of carrots. Grains of various sorts may be
given, especially oats, either in the natural state or
in the form of rolled oats. When feeding on the juicy
vegetables the cavies do not drink much, but it is
best to keep a fresh supply of water always within
reach.
CARE
Each house may contain several females, but only
one male, for the males are given to fighting each
other desperately. The long-haired varieties need
much personal attention; their hair should not be
combed, but should be brushed downwards with a
soft hairbrush. A tooth brush is needed to properly
comb the rosettes of the Abyssinians and Peruvians.
REFERENCES
Description of habits, American Animals, Stone and Cram.
The Life of Animals, Ernest Ingersoll.
Rabbits, Cats and Cavies, Lane.
Outdoor Work, M. R. Miller.
The Common Sense of Rabbit and Cavy Keeping, The
Spratts Co.
The Gui^iea Pig Mammals
"Raggylug," Wild Animals I Have Known, and "Little
War Horse," Animal Heroes, Thompson-Seton.
Squirrels and Other Fur Bearers, John Burroughs.
"Queer Ways of Br'er Rabbit," Ways of Wood Folk,
IF /. Lo7ig.
"Rabbit Roads," in Wild Life Near Home, D. L. Sharpe.
Our Domestic Animals, C. W. Burkett.
THE RED SQUIRREL
Just a tawny glimmer,
A dash of red and gray.
Was it a flitting shadow.
Or a sunbeam gone astray !
It glances up a tree trunk.
And a pair of bright eyes glow
Where a little spy in ambush
Is measuring his foe.
I hear a mocking chuckle,
Then wrathful, he grows bold
And stays his pressing business
To scold and scold and scold.
75
SQUIRRELS
ORMERLY gray and black squirrels were as
'common throughout our country as is the
red squirrel today, and even more so; but
these larger species have been hunted to such
an extent that we rarely see the gray
squirrels except as protected creatures in
parks; and the black squirrel has dis-
appeared except in a few localities. The red squirrel
has, because of its small size and greater cunning,
escaped this sad fate.
The red squirrel is just a playfiil, natural-bom
rascal, but perhaps the most attractive rascal in the
animal world. He is a great thief, and would much
rather steal his food than to gather it, even though it
caused him more effort. In fact, he enjoys strenuous
effort always, especially in a bad cause. The chip-
munk, -white-footed mice, gray squirrels, and espec-
ially the blue-jays, are the victims of his thieving.
He will spend a whole morning watching a blue jay
or a chipmunk in order to discover where they hide
their stores ; but if one of them tries to steal his stores
it is quite another matter, and he becomes so indig-
nant that he scolds for an hour after.
The gray squirrel is not so quick mentally or physi
cally as is his red cousin, neither is he so mischievous
or suspicious. Although he lives in holes in trees he
wishes plenty of room, and so hollows out a good sized
nest which he beds down with leaves. Several may
live together in such a nest. They also make nests
in summer among the branches of trees; these they
build of leaves and small branches in layers, roofed
with leaves to protect from rain.
76
From Country Ltfi: in America
FEEDING THE GRAY SQUIRREL
Squirrels Mammals
The squirrel has two pairs of gnawing teeth, which
are long and strong, and he needs to gnaw hard sub-
stances with them constantly or they will grow so
long that he cannot use them at all, and will starve to
death. He is very clever about opening nuts so as
to get all the meats. He usually opens a hickory
nut by making two holes which tap the cavities which
contain the meats. In walnuts, or butternuts, which
have m.uch harder shells, he makes four small holes,
one opposite each quarter of the kernel.
The young are bom in a protected nest, usually in
the hollow of a tree. There are from four to six
young in a litter and they appear in April.
It is quite useless to try to tame a red squirrel
unless taken when young. The gray squirrels, on
the contrary, will become very tame, and will soon
learn to take food from the hand of the master or
mistress.
HOUSE
It is wicked to keep such an active creattire as a
squirrel in an ordinary small squirrel cage, even
though it be provided with a wheel. The way to get
the most pleasure from pet squirrels is to give them
their freedom in the trees about the groimds, and
tame them by feeding. If the squirrels must be
confined, they should be kept in a cage of chicken
wire of half inch mesh, and it should be at least six
feet square. At one side near the top there should be
a nest box about one foot square, with a hole at one
side near the top, about three inches in diameter;
the box should contain dried grass or leaves. In the
cage there should be branches spread across so that
the captives may leap and play upon them. A pair
may be kept in such a cage, but there should be two
77
Mammals Squirrels
nest boxes. A wheel may be placed in this home for
the amusement of the little prisoners.
FOOD
The gray and red squirrels take the same kind of
food. They should be given an abundance of nuts
with hard shells, like walnuts, butternuts and hickory
nuts, so as to keep their long teeth from growing too
rapidly. They are also fond of chestnuts, and acorns,
and will learn to eat peanuts. They are fond of
berries, apples, lettuce, and meal worms. A bone
with a little uncooked meat on it should be given once
or twice a week. Com, bread and milk, bread crusts,
and dry breakfast food are also relished. Liunps of
hard plaster should be kept accessible for health's
sake and for sake of the teeth.
A dish of fresh water should always be kept where
the squirrel can get at it.
A baby squirrel may be reared by keeping it in a
warm nest in a box fitted with batting or wool. It
must be fed at first with warm, fresh milk from the
point of a small teaspoon. The milk should be of
blood temperature. After a little, give bread soaked
in warm milk. As soon as the gnawing teeth have
well started, nut meats may be given. Lumps of
plaster should be given also.
CARE
The cage should be kept clean; the nest boxes
should be cleaned and filled freshly with bedding
once a week during the summer; but it is best not to
disturb the nest boxes during cold weather. Fresh
bedding should be placed in them about the first of
^larch as a preparation for the young squirrels.
78
Squirr els
Mammals
The gray squirrels, and sometimes the red squirrels,
will breed in a cage, as described. ' Unless two squir-
rels live happily together, it is best to keep them in
separate cages, as they are likely to injure each other.
FURRY
His Story as recorded in
THE PET NOTE-BOOK
*Furry was a baby red squirrel. One day in May
his mother was moving him from one tree to another.
He was clinging with his little arms around her neck
and his body clasped tightly against her breast, when
something frightened her and in a sudden movement,
she dropped her heavy baby in the grass. Thus, I
inherited him and entered upon the rather onerous
duties of caring for a baby of whose needs I knew
little; but I knew that every well-cared for baby
should have a book detailing all that happens to it,
therefore, I made a book for Furry, writing in it each
day the things he did. If the children who have pets
keep similar books, they will find them most interest-
ing reading afterward, and they will surely enjoy the
writing very much.
*From the Author's "Handbook of Nature-Study".
79
Mavimals Squirrels
May 1 8, 1902 — The baby squirrel is just large
enough to cuddle in one hand. He cuddles all right
when once he is captured ; but he is a terrible fighter,
and when I attempt to take him in one hand, he
scratches and bites and growls so that I have been
obliged to name him Fury. I told him, however, if
he improved in temper I would change his name to
Furry.
May 19 — Fury greets me when I open his box, with
the most awe-inspiring little growls, which he evi-
dently supposes will make me turn pale with fear.
He has not cut his teeth yet, so he cannot bite very
severely, but that isn't his fault, for he tries hard
enough. The Naturalist said cold milk would kill
him, so I warmed the milk and put it in a teaspoon
and placed it in front of his nose; he batted the
spoon with both forepaws and tried to bite it, and thus
got a taste of the milk, which he drank eagerly lapping
it up like a kitten. When I hold him in one hand and
cover him with the other, he turns contented little
somersatdts over and over.
May 20 — Fury bit me only once to-day, when I
took him out to feed him. He is cutting his teeth on
my devoted fingers. I tried giving him grape-nuts
soaked in milk, but he spat it out in disgust.
He always washes his face as soon as he is through
eating.
May 21 — Fury lies curled under his blanket all
day. Evidently good little squirrels stay quietly in
the nest, when the mother is not at home to give them
permission to run around. When Fury sleeps, he
roUs himself up in a little ball with his tail wrapped
closely around him. The squirrel's tail is his "furs,"
80
Squirrels Mammals
which he wraps around him to keep his back warm
when he sleeps in winter.
May 23 — Every time I meet Uncle John he asks,
"Is his name Fury or Furry now?" Uncle John is
much interested in the good behavior of even little
squirrels. As Fury has not bitten me hard for two
days, I think I will call him Furry after this. He ate
some bread soaked in milk to-day, holding it in his
hands in real squirrel fashion. I let him run around
the room and he liked it.
May 25 — Furry got away from me this morning
and I did not find him for an hour. Then I dis-
covered him in a pasteboard box of drawing paper
with the cover on. How did he squeeze through?
May 26 — He holds the bowl of the spoon with both
front paws while he drinks the milk. When I try to
draw the spoon away, to fill it again after he has
emptied it, he objects and hangs on to it with all his
little might, and scolds as hard as ever he can. He is
such a funny, unreasonable baby.
May 28 — To-night I gave Furry a walnut meat.
As soon as he smelled it he became greatly excited;
he grasped the meat in his hands and ran off and hid
under my elbow, growling like a kitten with its first
mouse.
May 30 — Since he tasted nuts he has lost interest
in milk. The nut meats are too hard for his new
teeth, so I mash them and soak them in water and
now he eats them like a little piggy-wig with no
manners at all. He loves to have me stroke his back
while he is eating. He uses his thumbs and fingers in
such a human way that I always call his front paws,
hands. When his piece of nut is very small he holds
81
Mammals Squirrels
it in one hand and clasps the other hand behind the
one which holds the dainty morsel, so as to make it
safe.
May 31 — When he is sleepy, he scolds if I disturb
him and turning over on his back, bats my hand with
all of his soft little paws and pretends that he is
going to bite.
June 4 — Furry ranges around the room now to
please himself. He is a little mischief; he tips over
his cup of milk and has commenced gnawing ofif the
wall paper behind the book-shelf to make him a nest.
The paper is green and will probably make him sorry.
June 5 — This morning Furry was hidden in a roll
of paper. I put my hand over one end of the roll and
then reached in with the other hand to get him ; but
he got me instead, because he ran up my sleeve and
was much more contented to be there than I was to
have him. I was glad enough when he left his hiding
place and climbed to the top shelf of the bookcase,
far beyond my reach.
June 6 — I have not seen Furry for twenty-four
hours, but he is here surely enough. Last night he
tipped over the ink bottle and scattered nut shells
over the floor. He prefers pecans to any other nuts.
June 7 — I caught Furry to-day and he bit my finger
so it bled. But afterwards, he cuddled in my hand
for a long time and then climbed my shoulder and
went hunting around in my hair and wanted to stay
there and make a nest. When I took him away, he
pulled out his two hands full of my devoted tresses.
I'll not employ him as a hairdresser.
82
'y. » „.,A,
j^mi
DA R 1X1, FAIEl
A Red Squirrel at the I i -rVs Drinking Dish
Squirrels Mammals
June 9 — Furry sleeps nights in the top drawer of
my desk; he crawls in from behind. When I pull out
the drawer he pops out and scares me nearly out of
my wits; but he keeps his wits about him and gets
away before I can catch him.
June 20 — I keep the window open so Furry can
run out and in and learn to take care of himself out-
of-doors.
August 20 — Furry soon learned to take care of
himself, though he often returns for nuts, which I
keep for him in a bowl. He does not come very near
rae out-of-doors, but he often speaks to me in a
friendly manner from a certain pitch pine tree near
the house.
There are many blank leaves in Furry's note-book.
I wish that he could have written on these what he
thought about me and my performances. It would
certainly have been the most interesting book con-
cerning squirrels in the world.
REFERENCE
Description of habits, American Animals, Stone and Cram.
"The Gray Squirrel," in Familiar Wild Animals, W. J.
Lottridge.
Squirrels and Other Fur Bearers, John Burroughs.
"Squirrels and More Squirrels," in Little Beasts op Field
and Wood, W. E. Cram.
"Meeko, the Alischief-Maker," in Secrets of the Woods,
W J. Long.
A Quintette of Graycoats, Effie Bignell.
83
THE CHIPMUNK
/^-HEREVER this little ground
squirrel is found, he is easily
tam^d, and the bestwaytokeep
him for a pet is to let him. live
•^out of doors under natural con-
ditions, and work gradually into
his confidence through feeding
him. We have for years had
such intimate chipmunk friends,
and have enjoyed them far more than if they were
caged. They soon learn to know membea-s of the
family ; and one of the chief joys of such a relationship
has been the way the mother has taught the yotmg-
sters to regard us as friends. I know of no more de-
lightftd experience than to have one of these young
chipmunks, a little soft striped ball sit up in front of
me as I rest on a garden bench, looking eagerly for a
donation from my hand.
Miss Irene Hardy, of Palo Alto, Cal., has had
marked success in making pets of the little chip-
munks of the Sierras. One called Chipsy was
especially interesting. He was allowed the freedom
of her room, and after she had filled the dish on the
table with English walnuts, he would keep himself
busy for a long time stealing and hiding them.
His originality in finding hiding places was remark-
able. Once he managed to get his nuts and himself
into a covered bandbox on the closet shelf and stored
his precious walnuts in the velvet bows of a bonnet.
His unsuspecting mistress wore the bonnet thus
decorated to chtirch and did not discover the work of
her new miUiner until after she returned.
84
Pholo by ]'er>u- Murlvu
PET CHIPMl NK FILLING HI^ CHEEK POUCHES WITH HR K<..)RY NETS
.J^'l»
PhoU, I'V lini, Ihiidy
CHIPsY
A i-it Sierra ihii'inunk gu ini.' hi- favorite performantt on a tuniMir
The Chipmunk Mammals
The chipmunk has cheek pouches which the squirrel
lacks, and in these pouches he carries out the soil
which he removes in making his btirrow as well as
carries in his store of nuts and grain. The burrow is
usually made in a dry hillside. The entrance is just
large enough to admit the chipmunk's body, but
widens to a nest which is well-bedded down. There
is usually a back door also, so that in case of necessity,
the inmate can escape. In this nest, the chipmunk
stores nuts and acorns, so that when he awakes
during his long winter's sleep he finds refreshment
near-by. The chipmunk is not so noisy as the red
squirrel, but he can cluck like a cuckoo when he is
gathering nuts, and he can chatter a great many
things which we should like to understand. When
he eats, he holds his nut in both hands, and makes
himself into a little bunch with his tail curled up his
back.
HOUSE
If in the country, and there are no cats about, the
chipmunks may be trusted to provide their own
homes. Next to entire freedom it is most desirable
to let a chipmunk have the freedom of one room in
which there are nooks where he may hide and make
his nest. If it is necessary to keep this pet in close
confinement, the cage should be large and made of
fine chicken wire, such as described for the red squir-
rels, and should be fitted in a similar way with nest
box and branches. A chipmunk will not live long in
a small cage. The bottom of the cage should be
cement, otherwise the captive will burrow out.
Cover the bottom of the cage with a foot or so of
loose soil, so that the pet can burrow in it at his
pleasure.
85
Mammals The Chipmunk
FOOD
Beechnuts, hickory nuts, sweet acorns, and in fact,
almost any kind of nut is rehshed by the chipmunk.
It is also fond of cherries and cherry-pits. Apples
(including the seeds) berries, carrots, almost any
breakfast food, bread crusts, and occasionally a bone
with a little meat upon it may be given.
CARE
If confined to a cage or room, the chipmunk should
have access to fresh water. It is natural for this
animal to hibernate, and it is best to let him have a
cold room in winter so that he can go to sleep when
he gets sleepy; and plenty of food shotdd be at hand
in case he wakes up.
REFERENCES
Description of habits, American Animals, Stone mid Cram.
Squirrels and Other Fur Bearers, John Burroughs .
"Small Folk with Lively Feet," in Familiar Life in Field
and Forest, F. S. Mathews.
A chip:\iunk conversation
"Little chap all dressed in stripes so gay
Pray tell me how do you do today —
You have the mumps I fear."
"Little girl, to chat I cannot stay
]My pouches are filled, I must away
To my cellar for winter is near."
86
/ / lu n HI FnSl,',
A FLYIXG SQUIRREL
FLYING SQUIRRELS
LYING squirrels are the original in-
ventors of the aeroplane. Thous-
ands of years before human beings ever
thought of such things, these little animals
had tasted well this mode of travel. The
flying squirrel has very much the same
structure as other squirrels, except that
there is a fold of skin along the sides, con-
nected with the fore and hind legs, so that
it can be extended by spreading the legs
wide out when the creature leaps. The
great Audubon has given us interesting ac-
counts of how these aeronauts leap from the top of
one tree to the base of another fifty yards away,
making a ctirve upwards at the end so as to land
among the branches. Dr. Eugene Barker who
has made a special study of these squirrels, declares
that they can turn at will, at sharp angles when
flying, the tail being held out stiffly and seeming to
serve as a rudder.
The flying squirrels are night folk. They usually
sleep during the day, and about nine o'clock in the
evening awake, and are very active. They nest in
cavities in trees, usually rather high up. Often they
take possession of an abandoned woodpecker's nest
or some other "cave for rent", using even bird boxes.
They frequently make their nest in a dead tree,
cutting out a cavity with their strong teeth until it
is large and commodious ; the entrance is small, and
preferably beneath a branch, where it is not too
obvious. The nest is lined with fine moss or other
87
Mammals Flying Squirrels
soft material. These squirrels are sociable little
folk, and several may live in such a nest. They
also make a summer nest in the trees, or notably
in high grape vines. It is made of finely shredded
bark with very thick walls, and with a cosy little
pocket at the center in which to cuddle.
At the writing of this, a flying squirrel family has
taken possession of our garret. It is rather exciting
to reach into a wall-pocket, expecting to get some
cotton-batting, and have a little creature pop out and
cling to the rafter above your head, and gaze at you
with its great, soft eyes, as if asking why it was thus
disturbed. From my own experience, I should say
that its fur was the softest and finest that covers any
animal; it certainly feels softer than any cotton-
batting. The favorite gathering place for this family
is over our sleeping porch, and often in the coldest
weather we hear them hopping around at night, so we
know they do not really hibernate.
The young are bom in May; in the South there is
another litter in September. They are bare and
blind when first bom, but the little mother cuddles
them under her soft "wings" and takes excellent care
of them.
If taken when young, the flying squirrel is a delight-
ful pet. Mr. IngersoU says, "If you do not know
where a family is living, go about tapping on wood-
pecker-riddled dead stubs on the edge of a wood,
until a furry head pops up to investigate, and then
the capture is very easy, for it cannot be denied that
this little animal seems to be fearless and confiding,
largely through lack of wit."
Dr. Merriam gives an account of one which when
placed on the table in front of him would come to the
edge nearest him and whimper to be taken up ; when
Flying Squirrel s Mammals
the doctor extended his arm the little creature,
trembling with delight would leap upon his hand and
run up his sleeve or down his neck.
Mr. Ingersoll says that the general testimony of
those who have made these animals pets, is that if one
chanced to escape from the cage at night it went
straight to where its master was sleeping, and crawled
into bed with him and cuddled up as close as possible.
Several have told me that these squirrels particularly
enjoy spending their days curled up in a coat-
pocket.
Since flying squirrels are not strictly speaking
hibernating animals, they need to provide stores for
their winter use. They are not selfish like the red
squirrel, but often have their stores in common, in or
near their winter nests. These consist of nuts,
acorns, com, grain, birch-catkins, seeds from cones,
and various other dried seeds. In the spring they
eat many growing buds of trees. In gathering acorns
and nuts, they cut off and drop down more than they
harvest. Whether this is from mischief or careless-
ness we do not know. I am sorry to say that they
will also take bird's eggs and nestlings, if they can
find them.
HOUSE
The flying squirrel should have the freedom of the
house. If kept in a cage at all, it should be a large
one, like that described for the red and gray squirrels.
Mr. Silas Lottridge kept a pair in a large cage, which
had a squirrel-wheel attachment, that seemed to give
them a great deal of pleasure. One day, in their
play, one of them took an apple into the wheel to get
it away from the other, and when the wheel began to
revolve was vastly entertained by the noise of the
Mammals Flying Sqtiirrels
apple bounding against it; and the pair was soon
jumping and bounding over the apple as the wheel
revolved. After they had learned this game, they
often put two or three large nuts in the wheel to make
matters exciting.
The ideal home for the flying squirrel is a hole or
cranny in a tree trunk near the house; or in a bird
box placed on a tree or beneath the eaves. This
arrangement gives the little aeronauts a chance to
live their lives naturally, and at the same time prove
interesting neighbors.
FOOD
The pet should be fed soft-shelled nuts, like acorns
and chestnuts, com, and many kinds of seeds. Mr.
Barker found that his flying sqtiirrels were fond of
puffed wheat, and oat meal, and almost any kind of
breakfast foods. They also learned to eat peanuts.
Meal worms, or a bone with a scanty amount of meat
on it may be given occasionally. Also bread soaked
in sweet milk.
At the New York Zoological Garden, the dietary
consists of bread, lettuce, sunflower seed, and a
peanut or two once of twice a week.
CARE
Water should not be left in the cage, but a shallow
dish that cannot be upset should be put in once a day.
Cut hay makes an excellent bedding material for
this pet.
REFERENCES
American Animals, Stone and Cram.
"Flying Squirrels," Familiar Wild Animals, W. J. Lottridge.
"A Tree-top Aeronaut," Neighbors Unknown, C. G. D.
Roberts.
"Wild Life in Orchard and Field, Ernest Ingersoll.
90
A WOljDCHrCK MOTHER AXD LriTLE l)NE
From CouHli-y Lifr in A met in}
A PET \Vi iiilJCI-inK silllNi, I'l
I I s ['KTURE
TME WOOBCeUCK
0A¥ STRANGE it is that coun-
try children have so seldom,
made pets of young wood-
chucks! They are interesting
little animals, and more in-
telligent than most people
think.
The woodchuck shows his
cleverness hy the way he digs a
bmTOw. He does the work by
loosening the earth with his front feet, andpuslhngit
backward and out of the entrance with tlie hind feet.
The direeticn of the burrow extends downward for a
little way, and then rises at an easy angle, so that the
inmate may be in no danger of flood. Thenestconsists
of an enlargement at the end of the burrow lined with
soft grass, which the animal brings in its capacious
cheek pockets. There is usually more tlian one back-
door to the woodchuck' s burrow, through which he
may escape if pressed trso closely by enemies. These
back d(M)rs differ from the entrance in having no
earth heaped near them, and in being hidden.
The f< )llowing true story of a pet woodchuck, was
given me by Professor Ida Reveley of Wells Cf>llege.
It is a record of a pet woodchuck, captured and
tamed by her and her brother:
CIILXKIE
"Oh, Lou! Open that barrel for me. Just see!
I've got the cutest little. woodchuck — had him liy one
toe, and he isn't hurt much, so we will keep him.
91
Mammals The Woodchuck
Look out; you know they bite like sixty!" With
that Bob undid his hat, at the same time holding it
over the barrel, and there tumbled out a poor, forlorn,
wet woodchuck, scarcely larger than his fist. It was
so different in shape from a kitten, that a comparison
with a young feline would fail to convey any idea of
its true size and shape.
The cover was quickly put over the barrel, and the
woodchuck was left to his own reflections on the
folly of disregarding parental admonitions in respect
to boys and traps. After supper, it occurred to Bob
(for a wonder) that his captive might be hungry.
He was so small that there was only one way to feed
him, so a dish of milk and a spoon were found and the
two children set to work, first to get him out of the
barrel without injury to themselves; secondly to feed
him. The first was accomplished by throwing an old
apron into the barrel, and having enveloped the
formidable creature in its folds, it was an easy task to
tip up the barrel and "dump" the contents upon the
floor. Here the apron was removed, and after
several soft touches had been bestowed on the animal
without resistance on his part, Lou ventured to take
him up in her hands. Frightened he may have been,
but not so much so that it took away his desire to eat ;
for as soon as Bob had put some milk into his spoon.
Chuckle seized it between his teeth, and placed one
paw on each side so he could drain it more easily.
A few minutes sufficed to satisfy his hunger for that
time, and also to teach him to eat, so that afterwards
it was necessary only to place milk where he could
find it. At night he was placed in a box behind the
kitchen stove, and remained there until early the next
morning, when he awoke the household by his shrill
little whistle, expressive of his displeasure in having
92
The W oodchuck Mammal s
explored the whole floor without finding anything to
eat.
In two or three days Chuckie became accustomed
to his home, and grew fat and playful as any sensible
creature would have done under like circumstances.
He was very fond of running over the carpets, but for
some reason or other grandma was decidedly averse
to having him walk on the carpet in her room, which
was his favorite place for taking exercise. Whenever
he saw the door open, he seemed to say, "Now's my
chance!" and proceeded to take advantage of it as
fast as his stubby little legs would carry him. Grand-
ma usually started at about the same time, and if
Chuckie saw that she was getting ahead of him, he
would take a shorter route and go under the stove,
thus reaching the coveted territory first ; after which,
with his spunkiness and natural animal obstinacy, it
was the work of several minutes to get him out.
He spent much of his time under the stove at first.
When he was hungry he would come out and ask for
milk as plainly as he cotdd; and if that did not
attract attention he would seize the bottom of
mamma's or grandma's dress, pulling and grunting
with all his might. If they walked along, dragging
him, he didn't seem to mind it in the least, but hung
on with a perverseness worthy of a better cause.
It was some time before he came to know his name,
but he could always be called by rapping on the floor.
Such funny places as he found for a bed when he
grew older! Many a time did papa find him curled
up in his slipper; and once when Bob had hung his
coat on a chair to dry, Chuckie found his way into a
pocket; and after that, his favorite place was in the
pocket (or sleeve purposely tied at the end) of an old
coat which hung on a nail on a low railing.
93
Mammals The Woodchuck
There was a pile of wood out by the back door,
ready to be sawed and put into the woodshed.
Under this Chuckie had a nest which he sometimes
used in the day time. When the wood pile was
removed, this nest was found to be made of bark and
all sorts of bright colored things, particularly green
paper.
Chuckie was as playful as a kitten, but was by no
means as agile, and it was truly a laughable sight to
see him play with a piece of bark suspended from the
end of a pole.
He was an excellent climber, and liked to be under
a dress or coat, and would often climb into Bob's
lap and from there under his coat on his back, where
he would stay until taken down.
Bob and Lou carried him with them all over the
neighborhood, and once even took him to town
several miles away. But he grew very troublesome,
and they had to borrow a shoe box to carry him
home in.
As he grew older he became more shy, and one day
he disappeared ; only once after that was he seen, and
that time in a pasture near the house, when he came
within a few feet of Bob, who called him by name.
This is a true story, and Chuckie was only one of the
many pets which Bob and Lou had at their home."
HOUSE
It would be better to let the woodchuck play about
L.he grounds and garden, if possible ; but if kept con-
fined, the cage should be a large one, eight or ten feet
square and three feet high, made of chicken wire, and
with cement bottom, otherwise the captive will
burrow out. A box at least two feet square, with a
94
The Woodchuck Mammals
hole in one side large enough for the woodchuck to
enter shotild be provided for a nest, and it should be
filled with dried grass.
FOOD
Fresh clover and grass are the woodchuck's favorite
food. Melon rinds, sweet apples, peaches, almost
any vegetables and roots, especially carrots, will be
greedily eaten. Sweet milk may be given occasion-
ally. Fresh water should be kept always accessible.
CARE
The cage should be kept clean, and the grass in the
nest box changed often; since the woodchuck is a
hibernating animal it should be fed plentiftdly in the
fall, and be given a cold place to stay in the winter.
However, it should not be kept in a place where the
thermometer drops below freezing. The object of
giving food plentifully in August and September is
to allow the animal to put on sufficient fat to last
during its winter sleep. If kept constantly in a warm
place, it will have drowsy spells, but will take food
occasionally^
REFERENCES
Americaist Animals, Stone and Cram.
"A Woodland Codger," Wild Neighbors, Ernest Ingersoll.
Familiar Wild Animals, IT'. /. Lottridge.
Squirrels and Other Fur Bearers, John Biirroughs.
Wild Animals that Every Child Should Know, Rogers.
THE PMAIMIE DOG
HIS little cousin of the squirrels makes a pet
that is entertaining the day long, and is also
easily cared for, although it does not like to
be handled. The prairie dog, sitting up on
his mound, with his hands folded, looks like
a little statue, so still he sits, when he is
making a reconnaissance of the country round
about. But this statue soon comes to life, drops on
all fours and scuttles off to find a straw, which is the
prairie dog's equivalent for a cigar. Then he sits up
again, takes an end of the straw in each hand, bends
it V-shape, thrusts the angle into his mouth and
nibbles away with great enjoyment. He is a jolly
fellow, full of fun, and we become very fond of him
because of his cheerful disposition.
The prairie dog's whole appearance is attractive,
and at the same time comical. His legs are so short,
that when he is running along he looks as though he
were on casters, and his short black-bordered tail,
seems at first to be a mere afterthought ; but further
observation shows that it is of great use in expressing
his feelings, for with every fresh emotion of its owner,
the tail jerks sympathetically.
The usual bark of a prairie dog is probably meant
for a chuckle, intended to express entire contentment
with things in general. However, he makes several
other interesting sounds that certainly are fuU of
meaning to his fellows. For instance, he gives a
very special kind of a bark when his old enemy, the
snake, glides into his burrow; as soon as they hear
this warning bark, all of his neighbors gather around,
and proceed to fill the hole with earth, packing it
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The Prairie Dog M amvtals
hard, thus burying the snake ahve. At least this is
the story naturahsts tell.
The burrow of the prairie dog is very careftdly
made; around the entrance is a mound of earth
packed hard, which in times of flood prevents the
waters from flowing into the burrow and drowning
out the inmates. This mound also serves as a watch-
tower, on which its little builder may sit and look
abroad over the land and up into the sky, when
watching for snakes, coyotes, foxes, wild cats, hawks
and owls, which are the natural enemies of his kind.
The burrow extends down a very steep slope from the
entrance for twelve or fifteen feet, and then extends
out horizontally leading to various chambers, some
of which are used for living rooms, other for store-
houses, in which harvests of grass or other vegetation
may be kept; while there are still other chambers
used for refuse.
Mexico and Southwestern United States to the
Utah basin, and the great dry plains east of the Rocky
Mountains, are the regions inhabited by prairie dogs.
They are sociable little fellows, and like to live in
villages. Since they soon exhaust the scanty food
supply around their burrows, the old villages are
abandoned and new ones established in more favor-
able situations; thus their villages cover acres.
Since the development of the arid regions into farm-
ing lands, the prairie dogs have taken a new lease of
life, and have flourished greatly. They especially
enjoy all kinds of farm crops, and consequently do a
great deal of damage. Dr. Merriam says that there
are colonies extending for a distance of twenty to
thirty miles. One colony in Texas covers an area of
t-^enty-five himdred square miles. The government
is making experiments as to the best methods of
destroying these industrious little burrowers when
they encroach upon ctdtivated lands.
97
Mammals The Prairie Dog
HOUSE
The prairie dog prefers to house himself; so, all we
have to do is to give him a little ground of his own,
and he will proceed at once to make him a burrow.
The difficulty is to keep him from burrowing beyond
the boundaries of his chicken-wire fence. If we feed
him well, we may perhaps make him stifficiently lazy,
so that he will not burrow so extensively under
ground. However, if he seems likely to escape, we
may build for him a cage, which ought to be at least
ten feet square, with a zinc or cement bottom and
chicken- wire sides. The floor of the cage should have
on it two or three feet of solidly packed earth, so that
the little prisoner can play at making a burrow. A
most successful enclosure for a prairie dog home may
be seen in the New York Zoological Park. It is a
circular enclosure, eighty feet in diameter, surrounded
by an iron fence, with an overhang, with walls going
down to bed-rock. It occupies a rocky hill top, and
contains about fifty fat, contented prairie dogs.
FOOD
Almost any green food is acceptable such as grass,
clover, lettuce, celery tops, carrots, potatoes, apples,
and in fact, almost any kind of vegetation that
is green and succulent. In his native home the
prairie dog never drinks, and when in confinement he
seems to get sufficient water from his juicy green food.
A pile of hay or straw should be kept in one comer of
the enclosure, to afford the little prisoner entertain-
ment.
REFERENCES
American Animals, Stone arA Cram.
Wild Animals That Every Child Should Know, Rogers.
Visit to a Prairie Dog Village, Washington Irving.
From Couiiiry Lift- in Aiiit'r
A PHT PRAIRIE DOG
Co/(i7fsv ,-if Douhleday. Pa^e
WHITE MICE
THE WHITE RAT
E are so accustomed to think of
a rat as simply a pest, that we do
not reahze what the species have
Hved through in order to survive.
We are quite in the habit of look-
ing to the history of Europe for
descriptions of great wars, but there
was once a war in Europe that is not
mentioned in the accounts of great
battles which took place there ; and 3^et, perhaps, this
was the fiercest war of all, and it was waged be-
tween two species of rats.
Both of these European rat species are supposed to
have originated in Asia, probably in China. One of
them is the Black rat, more slender than our common
species, being about seven inches in length, bluish
black in color, and having large thin ears. There is
no record of the way or of the time of this rat's
invasion of Europe from the Orient; but in 1300
A.D. it was thoroughly established there. In 1727
Europe was invaded by the species called, strangely,
the Norway rat; this came from western China, and
was a larger, fiercer and more dangerous animal than
the Black species. In twenty-five years after it
began to invade Russia, it had spread over all
Europe, and had conquered, killed, and probably
eaten the Black rats, which had been in possession of
the region for so many centuries.
A similar warfare took place in America, for
probably with the ships of Columbus, and certainly
in the Mayflower, the Black rats migrated from
99
Mammals The White Rat
Europe to America. Soon after the Norway rat had
conquered Ei^rope it came to America in ships, and
here has carried on the war of extermination against
the Black species, which is now found only in remote
corners of our country. There is a variety of the
Black species which has escaped this general extinc-
tion. It is found in Egypt and adjoining countries,
and has been introduced into our Southern States, it
is called the "Roof rat".
White rats and mice have been known for a long
time ; they are the albinos of otir common forms, but
have been bred for so long as fancy pets, that the
breed is distinct. They are far more delicate than
their common relations, but are more easily kept.
HOUSE
The general management for a white rat is the
same as for mice, only the rat needs a larger cage.
A pair of rats should have a cage at least two feet long
by one foot wide and high. The front of the box
should be covered with one-half inch wire netting;
the cage should be bedded with sawdust or dry
leaves, which should be frequently renewed. Every
week or two the rats should be removed into a fresh
house, and the one they have been in should be
washed with soap and hot water and thoroughly
dried before they are again put into it. In a comer
of the cage there should be a sleeping compartment
made of an inverted box, with a hole at one side, large
enough to admit the body of the rat. This box
should be filled with strips of paper or excelsior.
FOOD
The white rat may be fed grain of all kinds, and
insects; it is especially fond of meal worms, hard-
The White Rat Mammals
boiled egg, and now and then a bone with some raw
meat upon it. In fact, almost any table scraps are
acceptable to these creatures, but they should never
be fed with cheese. Plenty of fresh water should be
kept in a dish where the rats can have constant access
to it.
Into the street the Piper stept.
Smiling first a little smile,
As if he knew what magic slept
In his quiet pipe the while ;
Then, like a musical adept,
To blow the pipe his lips he wrinHed,
And green and blue his sharp eyes twinkled
Like a candle-flame where salt is sprinkled ;
And ere three shrill notes the pipe uttered,
You heard as if an army muttered ;
And the mutterings grew to a grumbling ;
And the grumbling grew to a mighty rumbling ;
And out of the house the rats came ttunbling.
Great rats, small rats, lean rats, brawny rats,
Brown rats, black rats, gray rats, tawny rats,
Grave old plodders, gay young friskers,
Fathers, mothers, uncles, cousins.
Cocking tails and pricking whiskers,
Families by tens and dozens.
Brothers, sisters, husbands, wives —
Followed the Piper for their lives.
From street to street he piped advancing,
And step by step they followed dancing.
Until they came to the river Weser
Wherein aU plunged and perished.
From "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" by Robert Browning.
MICE
HEN properly cared for, the ordinary-
house mouse makes an amusing pet;
but the Uttle white-footed mouse
of the woods is, on the whole, more
interesting and agreeable. The
house mouse is wonderfully adapted
for a successful life. The thin, velvety ears are wide
open for catching any sound ; the eyes are keen, and the
nose is long and inquisitive, and always sniffing for
new impressions. The whiskers are delicate and very
sensitive. The gnawing teeth are very strong,
enabling the mouse to gnaw through boards. At the
first glance one wonders why the mouse should have
such a long and scaly tail; if we watch our pet we
will find that it uses its tail in climbing up the
sides of its cage, and will also twist it around its
little twine trapeze when hanging to it with its hind
feet.
It is particularly interesting to watch a mouse
clean itself. It nibbles and licks its fur, reaching
around so as to get at it frora behind, and taking hold
with its little hands to hold it firm while being
cleaned. When washing its face and head, it uses its
front feet for a washcloth, and licks them clean each
time after rubbing from behind the ears down over
the face.
Young mice are small, downy, pink, and are bom
blind. The mother makes for them a nice soft nest
of bits of cloth, paper, grass, or whatever is at hand.
The nest is ball-shaped, and at its center the family is
cuddled.
Mice Mammals
Of all the wild mice, the white-footed or the deer
mouse makes the most interesting pet. It lives in
the woods, and is very different in appearance from
the house mouse. Its ears are very large, and it is
white beneath the head and body. The feet are
pinkish. This mouse stores food for winter use.
When I was a child I found in a hollow log two quarts
of shelled beechnuts stored by this mouse. This
little creature has a pretty habit of making its summer
home in the fork of a branch or in a deserted bird's
nest, which it roofs over. The young mice are
carried hanging to the mother's breast.
HOUSE
While there are many good cages for observing
wild mice, the one I like the best is an aquarium jar,
with straight sides, either square or circtdar; a cover
of wire netting is necessary. Place in the jar plenty
of paper in strips, or excelsior, so that the pet may
hide beneath it. Fasten a coarse piece of twine so
that it will extend from the middle of the cover nearly
to the bottom of the jar, so that the mouse can amuse
itself, and us, by climbing. There should be another
jar of the same size to which the mouse may be
changed when its nest needs cleaning, which is as
often as once or twice a week. It is rather difficult to
change the mice from one jar to the other, and it
should be done thus : Take off the cover and invert
the clean jar to take its place, then turn both jars on
their sides on the table, mouth to mouth. Wait
until the pet is exploring his new quarters, then
thrust a square of wire netting m for a cover and bring
the fresh jar to an upright position.
103
Mammals Mice
FOOD
Mice thrive on almost all that we eat, and are
especially fond of breakfast foods. They like stale
bread, flies, meal worms, and bits of raw meat or hard
boiled eggs. There must always be a dish of water
in the cage ; if there is not plenty of water, mice will
destroy each other. They should never be given
cheese.
CARE
Mice need to be kept in a moderately warm room,
and must always have plenty of soft material for their
nests. The cage must be cleaned and scalded at
least once or twice a week.
REFERENCES
Description of habits, American Animals, Stone and Cram.
Squirrels and Other Fur-Bearers, John Burroughs.
Wild Life in Orchard and Field, Ernest Ingersoll.
"The White-footed Mouse," Familiar Wild Animals, W. J.
Lottridge.
"Tookhees," the "Fraid One," Secrets of the Woods, W. J.
Long.
"The Tunnel Runners," Neighbors Unknown, and "In
the Deep of the Grass," in The Watchers of the Trails,
C. G. D. Roberts.
THE MOUSE'S PETITION
Found in a trap where he had been confined all night
Oh! hear a pensive prisoner's prayer, for Uberty that sighs;
And never let thine heart be shut against the wretch's cries.
For here forlorn and sad I sit, within the wiry grate;
And tremble at the approaching morn, which brings impending
fate.
If e'er thy breast with freedom glow'd, and spiom'd a tyrant's
chain,
Let not thy strong oppressive force a free-born Mouse detain.
by Anna Letitia Barbauld.
104
FANCY MICE
It is difficult to believe
that the Golden, Brown,
and Black and Spotted
fancy mice were really de-
scended from our little gray
house mouse, but this is a
fact which has been dis-
covered by scientists. It seems that the hairs in the
fur of the house mouse contains black, chocolate and
yellow pigments, arranged so that the base of the hair
is black, the tip is yellow, while between it is barred
with chocolate brown. Mice are likely to give birth
now and then to pink-eyed, pure-white albino off-
spring ; these have been selected and bred vmtil a race
of albinos has been established, and thus we get our
white mice as pets. By breeding these albinos with
the house mice the colors in the coat of the latter
have been separated, and some disappear altogether,
and thus our fancy mice have been developed.
The Golden Agouti has the same arrangement of
pigment in the hairs as the house mouse, except that
the yellow tips have been exaggerated so that this
mouse is golden in color. The Sable is like the
Agouti, except that its back is dark, and it is golden
yellow underneath and at the sides. The Cinnamon
has only the yellow and the chocolate pigments in the
hair, the black being left out, while the Black has
chocolate and black pigments, but no yellow, and the
Fawn has yellow and black with the brown left out.
The Red and Yellow varieties carry only the yellow
pigment. The Chocolate carries only the brown
105
Mammals Fancy Mice
pigment. In the following varieties these colors have
become pale and diluted: Blue and Lilac have a
diluted black pigment; the Silver has a diluted
chocolate pigment, and the Cream has the yellow
pigment diluted.
The varieties mentioned above are solid colored,
but there are also several varieties that carry several
colors. The most noted of these are the Dutch
marked, which have the eye-patches, ears and rear
portion of the body in some solid color, the remainder
of the body white; these are very pretty when the
colors are black and white. Beside these there are
the spotted varieties in all colors.
HOUSE
There are many varieties of cages for pet mice.
Any box with a lid, and that has a floor area of twelve
inches by six inches will do for a pair. One side of
the box may have a wire screen or a glass, so that the
pets may be observed. These cages often have a slit
along the lower edge of one side which may be used
in cleaning out the cage; a little scraper with a
handle may be pushed through this slit for drawing
out the soiled sawdust; of course such an open-
ing must be closed by a strip of wood when not in
use.
Each cage should always be furnished with a mov-
able nest box, this shotild be at least four inches
square, with a hole in one side two inches in diameter,
and should have a lid for convenience in cleaning
which may be hooked down with wire while in use.
This nest box may be attached to the side of the cage,
or placed in one corner on the floor. However, it
should be where it may be easily reached by the hand
from above when the lid to the cage is raised, for the
io6
Fancy Mice M animals
mice are less likely to escape through an opening
above than through a door at the side.
CARE
Mice are bom naked, blind and deaf, and are most
helpless little creatures ; they mature in four months.
When four weeks old the males and females should
be separated and kept in separate cages. The females
will live together usually without fighting, but the
males fight to the death if kept together after they
are mature. As soon as they begin to fight, they
should be separated and put in different cages.
Before she gives birth to her young the mother
mouse should be put in a separate cage containing a
nesting box eight inches square. The very young
mice shotdd never be handled nor the nest be dis-
turbed for at least eight days after their birth, else
the mother may destroy them. She sometimes
destroys them because of thirst, so she must be kept
well supplied with fresh water. It is well to give her
bread soaked in water every morning after the young
are bom.
FOOD
Food of the simplest kind is best for fancy mice.
Canary seeds, white millet and oats, a piece of stale
bread or good dog biscuit soaked in skim milk, a
m.orsel of apple or carrot in winter and grass heads
or dandelion leaves in summer.
If the mice are fed twice daily, give the cereals at
night and the soft food in the morning. Sugar and
salt are both apt to disagree with mice and a large
amount of animal food makes them smelly.
REFERENCE
Fancy Mice, C. J. Davies, published by L. Upcott Gill,
London.
107
JAPANESE WALTZING MICE
'HESE brown and white, piebald dancers
are a source of amusement to all who
watch them. Anatomists and physi-
ologists have written long treatises up on
why this mouse dances like a spinning top. But it
does not matter much to us whether the dancing
is caused by imperfect equilibritim through some
defect of the ear or brain, or from some other cause,
so long as our pets keep active and entertaining. It
is supposed that these mice originated in India, from
the common mouse of China and were introduced into
Japan. There is a pretty legend that these mice
lived in the cotton bolls of India in the long ago.
Mrs. Cyrus R. Crosby has given to me the notes
which she made upon the habits and care of her pair
of pet waltzers. Although they are nocturnal in
their habits, and begin their regular dancing after
four o'clock in the afternoon, yet she found that some-
times they came out in the morning or at noon and
danced for a time. Once she tried to count how
many times one of them whirled without stopping;
the approximate number was two-htmdred and
seventy-four. One day when taking the male out of
the cage he bit his mistress, and in the scramble that
ensued he jumped into the drinking dish as he
returned to the cage. He was greatly disturbed and
excited over getting wet ; for a time he danced faster
than usual, then sat down and began to clean himself
most violently; he scraped the water off his fur with
his foot, and then licked his foot; he used both fore
feet and hind feet for this process until he looked
io8
J apanese Waltzing Mice Mammals
very sleek. He was oblivious of everything else
while cleaning himself, not paying the slightest
attention to the fact that his mate in dancing was
constantly switching his face with her tail. Later,
the pair quarreled, and the female turned into a
vixen, attacking her frightened spouse on all possible
occasions, and driving him into the comers in a most
heartless way.
HOUSE
Since these mice are very sensitive to drafts, their
cage should be a wooden box with wire netting over
one side. Mrs. Crosby has a circular cage of wire
netting which has the advantage of giving a better
view of the dancers, but she has to be very careful
to keep the cage away from drafts. The floor should
be covered with dry sand or sawdust. It is con-
venient to put several layers of paper on the bottom
of the cage, removing the soiled top one each day.
The mice should be removed and the cage washed
with an emulsion of kerosene and water once a week,
drying it thoroughly before putting the mice back into
it. In one corner of the cage there shotdd be a
retiring nest; a wooden box two or three inches
square with a hole in one side will do. This should
be placed on the floor and not fastened up against the
side of the cage as with fancy mice. Shredded tissue
paper makes the best bedding for these delicate
creatures. Cotton or other fibrous material is not
suitable.
A playhouse should be placed in the cage. This is
made by taking a wooden box, without a cover,
about three inches square, and two inches high. Cut
holes one and a half inches wide down the sides of the
box opposite each other. Invert this box in the
109
Mammals J apanes e Waltzing Mice
middle of the cage, and the weird httle creatures will
play in and out through the openings by the hour.
FOOD
Dry food should be given chiefly, such as canary
seed, hemp seed, dry bread, crackers, force, or other
cereals. Give for a change bread soaked in sweet
milk. Every other day give a bit of lettuce or turnip
or carrot.
Fresh water should be put in the cage every day,
for these mice are thirsty little creatures, and need
pure water to keep them healthy.
CARE
The cage should be set where there are no drafts ,
and the temperature should not vary greatly from
60°. In general the care is very similar to that given
to fancy mice.
WALTZING MICE
Little f otir-foot dervishes are they
As they whirl and twirl — ■
It is not work and it is not play —
'Tis as if they just were built that way
To twirl and whirl.
They go so fast they make a blur
As they whirl and twirl ,
Their very long tails and spotted fur
Look like a wheel on a pivot awhirr
As they twirl and whirl.
Fri.nn Couiih-y Lifr in Amenn:
A WHITE-FOOTlil) MOISE AT IIICR OWX DIJORWAY
THE OPOSSUM
HE only way we can under-
stand why the opossum devel-
oped a pouch in which to hide
and carry her young, is to think
of the enemies the ancient opos-
sum families had to raeet; for
the opossums appeared first
during the Mesozoic period, the
age of terrible reptiles. At that
time there were various species
of opossums scattered over all Europe and North
America. Whether the reptiles ate them, pouches
and all, and so destroyed them, we shall never know;
but now the opossums have disappeared from all
countries except South and Central America, and
one species in the Southern United States ; and this
species is certainly having a hard struggle for exist-
ence because it is preyed upon by most wild animals
that eat meat, and by one tame one, that eats a great
deal of meat, i. e., man. Mr. Sharp says of our
oposstun that "He is an eternal surprise. Either
he is the most stupidly wise animal of the woods,
or the most wisely stupid. He is a puzzle. Appar-
ently his one unbiiried talent is heaviness. Job, the
fat boy, was not a sounder, nor more constant sleeper,
nor was his mental machinery any slower than the
'possum's. The little beast is utterly wanting in
swiftness and weapons, his sole hope and defense
being luck and indifference."
The opossum builds its nest in hollow logs or
stumps, or in hollows about the roots of trees. It
Mammals The Opossum
usually rents its house ready-made, not taking the
trouble to dig it out, but makes a warm nest for itself
when cold weather threatens, by carrying in dried
grass and leaves rolled into bundles so as to be carried
by the useful tail. It does not sleep all winter, but
comes out often to visit hen-roosts, and even kitchens
trying to find something to eat.
The opossum has a most interesting form. Its tail
is scaly, and acts as a third hand when the creature is
climbing, since it can be twined around a branch and
will hold the weight of the animal, which is thus
enabled to swing from one tree to another. Its feet
look very much like hands, and are made for grap-
pling; but the most interesting thing about the
opossum is the pocket in which the mother carries her
babies, which are bom blind and naked, when not
more than an inch long. With her teeth the little
mother places each helpless mite in her pocket, where
it clings to a teat; and here safe in the pouch the
babies stay for about two months while they grow
very rapidly. After a little they climb out and
clamber around on the mother's back and anchor
themselves by twisting their own tails about that of
their parent ; but they rush back into the pouch when
there are signs of danger.
"Playing 'possum" is a common saying, and it
refers to this creature's habit of acting as if it were
dead when overcome by the enemy. It acts this part
so well that it may be maltreated severely but wiU
not give a sign to show that it is alive. But if it sees
the enemy off guard for a moment it comes to life and
disappears very suddenly.
The young opossum, makes an interesting pet. It
is sharp-witted and knowing, and is very fond of
play. However, it does not become attached to
•A ' *'
1? -^
> ,,
. ^.rRi:ciA I EL)
A c:inary nut of its ctit^c
The Canary Birds
ther up the mountain where the temperature is still
comfortable; and when this brood is well-grown, the
enterprising and industrious parents go up the moun-
tain still higher to a cooler level, and there rear an-
other brood. August finds them rearing their fourth
brood near the mountain peaks. Indeed they need
to rear many broods in their native islands, for sev-
eral kinds of hawks are there, and two species of owls
that are always hunting for little birds to satisfy their
appetites. However, there are no snakes there to
steal their nestlings. The food of the wild canary
consists of various seeds and fruits; and it is espec-
ially fond of figs. A wild annual grass of the Canary
Island produces the canary seed which we buy.
This grass is now extensively cultivated for the pur-
pose of exporting seed as bird food.
The canaries have spread to the Islands of Mad-
eira, Elba and St. Helena. They were first brought
to Europe about three hundred years ago, and
were first bred for sale in Germany. In the year
1677 England imported some of these canaries from
Germany, but a little later the rearing of birds be-
came a regular business ; and at present it has become
so important a business in England, as well as on
the Continent, that the doings of the canary world
are chronicled weekly in their journals with as much
accuracy as the rise and the fall of the money market.
The original canary has been crossed with several
allied species of European birds, resulting in about
fifty well-marked varieties on the market. It is inter-
esting to note that with breeding, the voice of the
canary has strengthened, and its songs are sweeter
and far more varied than when it was wild. Al-
though its voice has less power and variety than
that of the nightingale, it has better power of learn-
ing for it has a better ear and a better memory than
that famed songster.
139
Birds
The Canary
SOME NOTED CANARY BREEDS
The Roller, or German Song Canaries have been
famous for many years because of their great powers
as musicians. They have been bred with especial
reference to their voices, and are trained by musical
instruments, and by other canaries which are su-
perior singers. The inhabitants of the Hartz A'loun-
THE CRESTED NORWICH
THE NORWICH
tains are especially noted in the rearing and training
of these birds. The St. Andreasberg is among the
most famous of these breeds. In recent years the
English breeders have also paid much attention to
this kind of canaries. No attempt has been made to
attain a peculiar or perfect plumage, or a partictdar
form, the whole attention of the breeders being
focused upon the voice.
In England, Scotland and Belgiiun, form and color
have been the objects of the breeders, and the fol-
lowing are among the most noted breeds:
140
The Canary
Birds
The Norwich — ^thismay be crested or plain headed,
and may be yellow, buff or variegated in color. It
has been estimated that four thousand
breeders are engaged in the city of
Norwich alone in rearing these birds.
It is probably the oldest of the
English breeds.
The Yorkshire canary is a straight,
long bird, with slender, graceful body
and long tail. It hr.s varieties of yel-
low, buff, variegated and green.
The Cinnamon — ^takes its name
from its color which is golden brown ;
the color of cinnamon. This is also
bred as a crested bird, and there is
also a variety which is buff color, and
one that is variegated.
The Lizard has its wings beautifully and finely
spangled, from the plain colored cap on the head
down over the back and wings.
The London Fancy is a stouter bird than any of
the above, and is pure colored, except for the dark
flight feathers in the wings and tail.
The Scotch Fancy is bred zj^
to crescent shape. "\ ■'■'Vk
The Belgian has a peculiar
hump-backed appearance, be-
cause of the attitude in
which its head is carried, and
because the shoulders are
high and massive, and held
in an elevated position.
THE YORKSHIRE
141
Birds
The Canary
HOUSE
To make the canary comfortable an oblong cage
shotild be used not less than eighteen inches long;
it shotild be large enough to permit the bird to exer-
cise freely. The perches should be rounded and of
different thicknesses to give a change to the bird's
feet ; they should be from three-eights inch in diam-
eter to that of twice the thickness of a lead pencil,
THE LONDON FANCY
THE SCOTCH FANCY
and at least one perch should be oblong in cross sec-
tion, with the lower side fiat. Perches shotdd be
placed so as not to interfere with the bird's exercise,
but should be convenient to the food and water;
they should be cleaned every day or two. The cage
should be hung where there is plenty of light, but not
above a gas jet; and it should never be in a draft,
for these birds are very susceptible to drafts. It
should not be hung in a window. We should remem-
ber that in their native islands canaries live in an
equable temperature. They can endure a tempera-
ture rather cooler than we usually prefer in our living
142
The Can ary
Birds
rooms, but sudden changes are to be avoided. It is
well to keep the cage floor covered with sand; at
least sand should always be present in the cage, and
accessible. If sand is spread over the floor it should
be renewed twice a week. Many people put paper
on the cage floor as it is easily removed and replaced.
FOOD
The standard canary food is a mixture of the seeds
of canary grass, millet, rape and hemp, but the seeds
of many grasses that grow as weeds
in our rich gardens are relished ; and
these may be gathered in the late
summer for occasional use in the
winter. A little green food should
be given every day, such as chickweed,
lettuce and tender grass, and especially
the green seed stalks of common
plantain may be given in summer; in
winter, sweet apples, a section of
orange, a slice of raw potato, or car-
rot, or a leaf of cabbage is acceptable.
A bit of dry bread, or sometimes bread
soaked in milk, is eaten eagerly for
variety. Green foliage with plant lice
on it is an especial treat to a canary. Grit of some
sort must be kept constantly accessible. Canary
bird grit may be bought at the food stores. A piece
of cuttle-fish bone should always be kept within reach
of the bird to aid digestion, and also to keep the beak
from growing too long, and out of shape. Lump
sugar should not be given.
Be very careful to get the seed of the summer
rape — which is a small, round, reddish seed. Mustard
seed, which is larger and black, is not acceptable.
143
THE BELGIAM
Birds The Canary
The seed diet of English canaries shoiild consist
of two parts canary seeds, one part rape seed, with.
a Httle white millet, plantain, groundsel and chick-
weed seed. German canaries shotild have two parts
rape, one part canary seed, and a little white millet.
Those firms making a specialty of bird foods, like
the famous Spratts, sell a wide range of seeds and
insectivorous foods, tonics and medicines, with,
which it wotild be well for the keeper of canaries to
become familiar.
My neighbor, Mrs. Frederick Bedell, resuscitated
her canary after it was lying apparently dead from a
chill. She mixed a drop of bacon fat with cayenne
pepper, and forced it into the beak of the bird, and
after a little it revived ; she kept it wrapped warmly
luitil it seemed quite recovered. For a day or two
she gave the bird a little of the fat and the pepper
daily. A piece of raw, salt, fat pork given three
times a week is a great help to a bird suffering from
a cold and hoarseness.
CARE
It is most necessary that the drinking dish be filled
with fresh water daily, for these little prisoners
need to drink often.
The canary should have an opportunity to bathe-
three times a week. The bath dish should hold
water to the depth of three-fourths of an inch and
it is a good plan to have a layer of clean sand or
gravel in the bottom. The water should be tepid.
To give the bird its bath, take the cage off its base
and place it over the bath tub; then remove the
perches and the seed and drinking cups so that there
may be nothing to distract the bird's attention
from the business at hand. The birds imported
144
The Canary Birds
from Europe are accustomed to the outside bath,
which is a Uttle bath cage that may be hung to the
open door of the bird-cage. This is sold by all
importers of foreign birds and costs about $.75.
After the bath the bird may be placed in the direct
sunshine, if not too hot, for twenty minutes. It
must not be exposed to drafts.
It is most desirable that the canary should be
allowed to fly about the room for a time each day,
this gives it the needed exercise to keep it healthy.
When the period of moulting arrives the canary
needs special care. Moulting is a very taxing pro-
cess and the bird 's vitality becomes low. Soft food,
prepared as follows, may be given: Chop fine a
hard-boiled egg, with an equal amount of soft crack-
er or bread-crumbs, mix with a heaping teaspoonful
of cayenne pepper. This should be kept freshly
prepared in the feeding cup, so the bird can have
constant access to it. The cage should be kept in a
warm place (not hot) where there are no drafts.
When the new coat is grown, the soft food can be
discontinued. Feeding the cayenne pepper at this
time gives warmth for digestion and aids in making
the plumage beautiful and of good color. The
bird should not bathe every day when moulting,
but it may bathe occasionally. The birds usually
moult in mid-summer.
In caring for these pets in sickness there are a
few things that we can do. If the bird seems dtmipy
and sits still with feathers ruffled, when it is not
moulting, it is very likely to be suffering from
constipation. Note whether the droppings on the
cage floor are scarce and dry. If so, open the bird's
beak and with a pipette give it four or five drops of
milk of magnesia diluted in water or three or four
145
Birds The Canary
drops of salad oil. This will usually afford relief.
If not, inject into the bird's anus fotir or five drops of
castor or olive oil with a pipette. A diet of fresh
carrot is a great help in cases of constipation.
In cases of diarrhoea, give boiled milk instead of
water and give bismuth mixed with hard boiled
egg. Five or six drops of brandy in the drinking
water is also a remedy.
Often the feet of canaries become scaly and diseas-
ed, and the claws fall off. In this case the perches
should be dipped in peroxide after they are cleaned,
and a few drops of caraway-seed oil mixed in vaseline
should be applied to the bird 's feet once a day until
they are cured. Care should be taken that the feet
are washed and wiped dry before the vaseline is ap-
plied. Overgrown nails shotdd be clipped at the
tips but not deep enough to hurt.
It seems a pity to keep one canary alone. Two
are company for each other, even though they may
be kept in neighboring cages, and thus give each other
cheer without annoyance.
NESTING
A pair of birds will usually live quite happily while
nesting. When this season comes, special care is
needed. As soon as the hen begins to beg for food
from her mate, arid he begins to feed her, the nest
box shotild be put in the cage near the top. This
should be a box about 3>^ inches square and 2 inches
deep. Bits of moss, wool, hair and dry grass should
be put against the bars of the cage, where they can
be pulled through bit by bit by the busy nest makers.
The hen is Hkcly to be fussy about her nest, and will
place a mass of material in it only to dtunp it out
again. If it fahs to the bottom of the cage it will
soon be soiled, and should be removed.
146
The Canary Birds
It is very interesting to watch the tender care
usually given to the mother bird by her mate while
she is incubating. He feeds her, and seems to take
the greatest interest in her. My own especial pet
bird, Kim, has interested me greatly because of his
solicitous care of his mate, and his pride and joy in
the eggs. When she comes off of the nest he will
slip onto it and sit very proudly; and one day I
found him sitting with her on the eggs, surely a most
tender and touching companionship. If the male
is cross, he should be removed after the eggs are
laid, and allow his wife to sit in peace. Some
recommend a nest of wire-netting lined with felt.
This is usually used by regular breeders, but the
writer always liked to give her canaries the fun of
building the nest.
Breeders advise the use of a large cage during the
nesting period, in form of a wooden box with the
front wired. It should be about two feet long
and the same in height and at least a foot in depth.
There should be a large door and a sliding bottom
so that it may be easily cleaned, and of course
the cage should be fitted with food and water dishes.
This cage may be made by any boy who can use car-
penter tools.
Hard boiled egg minced with stale bread should
form a part of the diet of the nesting bird. When
near time for the young to hatch give some hemp seed
and plenty of green stuff and fruit.
LOSS OF VOICE
Often the canaries will cease to sing, and this may
be due to several causes ; the most common is a cold
caught by allowing the cage to be in a drafty place.
147
Birds The Canary
A very eminent English authority advises the follow-
ing treatment: Give first a drop or two of castor-
oil, then place in a drinking dish with water, a small
teaspoonftil of glycerine, a bit of gum-arabic, as
large as a pea, and twenty drops of paregoric; also
give a more generous diet. Another English au-
thority advises giving a little stale bread steeped in
warm mrlk, with honey dropped upon it while warm.
Another advises putting from two to six drops of
whiskey in the drinking water.
Of cotirse during the moulting season the birds do
not sing.
CANARY MAXIMS
Do not force the canary to bathe.
Do not hang the cage in the window, for in this
situation there are always drafts, which will result
in the bird's loss of voice.
Do not expose the bird to direct sunshine except
for a short time after it has bathed. Make an
envelope of thick wrapping paper to fit around the
cage for protection during nights in cold weather.
This must fit closely around the bottom of the cage
and be open above.
Avoid sudden changes of temperature for the
canary, — about 70 degrees F. is the most desirable
temperature for this bird.
If you wish your bird to sing his best, do not hang
the cage in the strong light.
The cuttle-fish bone should be changed every
three months, since it loses its salt by expostue to
the air, and therefore helps less in digestion.
148
The Canary Birds
Examine the rape seeds which you buy, carefully.
Summer rape, which is the most desirable food for
the singing canary, is a small, reddish, round seed.
The larger round black seeds of mustard are often
mixed with the rape and are not relished.
If the bird wastes the seeds without cracking the
husks, soak the seeds in tepid water for an hour or
so before feeding, drain them on a dry paper or
cloth before putting into the food-cup. The next
day the cup should be emptied and scalded so that
there may be no danger from musty seed.
One large teaspoonful of seed is all that one bird
needs for a day.
To coax a canary to be tame and companionable,
give it a few seeds of hemp now and then from the
fingers or the lips.
If tiny red mites or bird lice are seen about the
cage, the bird shoiild be removed and the cage
and perches washed in creolin. This should be
rinsed off in hot water and the cage thoroughly
dried before the bird is returned. The bird should
have a good insect powder like "biohach," thoroughly
dusted through its feathers.
REFERENCES
True Bird Stories and the Second Book of Birds, Olive
Thome Miller.
Our Birds and Their Nestlings, Walker.
Canary Keeping for Amateurs, IF. T. Green.
The Common Sense of Canary and Hybrid Canary
Culture, The Spratt's Co.
Holden's Book on Birds.
149
PARROTS
NE of the most ancient of birds is the
parrot, and it remains true to its
type. There are fossils in Miocene
rocks that show the parrot as it is
to-day. The abiHty of these birds to
talk, and their interesting habits,
caused them to be made pets by
ancient savage peoples, especially of
India and Africa. The Romans
brought these birds to Rome from India and Africa,
in the time of Nero ; later the price of one of them
was as great as that of a slave. Parrots were first
introduced into northern Europe about the time of
the discovery of America, Columbus having brought
back several on his first expedition.
The parrots are all tropical or subtropical birds,
although in the Himalaya mountains they occur as
high as 4000 feet, and in the Andes they have been
found at snow-line. They are social, and usually fly in
flocks, their gorgeous plumage matching the brilliant
flowers of the tropical forests. While in general they
are short legged, and are awkward on the ground
yet there are parrakeets in South Australia which
live en the ground and are swift runners. These
brilliant birds are as common along the roads there
as are sparrows here.
If we tried to visit all the parrots in their native
countries, we should have to go to South America,
Australasia, Africa and India ; and wherever we found
them, or whatever their color and size, they would
surely all have thick, lithe, finger-like claws which
150
Courtesy of Doiiblcdiiy. Fr.-^e c" ( <■.
A I'AKkoT I.b:AkMN(, A !;!■
Phol'i (>.v \'rnie Morion
A GOOD XATURED ri)LL\
The Parrot Birds
they use like hands. The first and fourth toes ex-
tend backwards, the second and third forwards, and
thus afford the bird a strong grasp on twigs and
limbs. The body is always rather stout, the neck
short and the head large. The upper half of the
beak is strong and curved, the lower half scoop-shape,
and the tongue cylindrical. In all except one genus
there are twelve tail-feathers. At the base of the beak
where the nostrils open, there is a swollen area, which
may be feathered. In the tropical portions of our own
continent are found the sharp-tailed parrots, which
have the long tail feathers tapering to a point. In
Brazil and Paraguay are found the splendid macaws,
brilliant blue, yellow, green and red, some of them
quite thirty inches in length. In these same forests
are found the little parrakeets, or American love-
birds, usually less than five inches in length, and
green and blue in color. In tropical America there
also occur the blunt-tailed parrots, which are med-
ium size, with green plumage, and very good talkers.
Humboldt found one of these birds talking the lan-
guage of an Indian tribe which had become extinct.
Strangely enough, there is a genus of the blunt-
tailed parrots that live in the Sahara desert. In
north Africa, too, is found the gray parrot with the
red tail, which is the favorite pet, because it excels
in conversation.
In Africa dwell the true parrakeets, those that
have the two central tail-feathers very narrow and
long, forming the point of the long graduated tail.
The parrakeets extend out through Maimtius, Cey-
lon, India, and the East India Islands. The rose-
ringed parrakeet is fotmd in Africa, and especially in
India; it has a body only seven inches long, and a
tail which measiues ten inches. Its pltunage is soft
151
Birds Parrots
green — the bill red — and the males have a pink ring
around the neck, with a black patch in front. These
live in the open ground around the villages, and
perch upon the roofs of the houses and temples;
they gather in great flocks at stmset, and perch at
night in the trees. Kipling thus describes them:
"Dim dawn behind the tamarisks, the sky is saffron yellow,
As the women in the village grind the com,
And the parrots seek the river-side, each calling to his fellow
That the Day, the staring Eastern Day, is bom."
In Australia and surrounding islands occur the
broad-tailed parrots, among them the "Rosella", or
"Pretty Joey. ' ' This bird is a little more than a foot
long; it has a scarlet breast, is yellowish green above,
has wings dark blue and a blue tail with two central
green feathers; it is one of the most brilliant of its
family.
In New Zealand is the kakapo, or owl-parrot,
which lives on the ground and remains hidden all
day, coming out at night to feed. In India, the
Philippines and the islands of the Malay Archipelago,
are the queer little bat -parrots, or lorikeets; scarce-
ly more than six inches in length, and with rainbow
plumage, of green, scarlet, blue and yellow. The
beaks of the lorikeets are not hooked, but are slender
and fitted for extracting the nectar from flowers like
the beaks of humming-birds. The lorikeets sleep
hanging with the head downward, and feet safely
clasping the branch, and thus they earned the name
of "bat-parrots."
There are a great variety of nests built by parrots.
The Argentine green parrakeet builds at the extremi-
ty of branches which it weaves closely together. The
macaws build in holes in trees, especially the wild fig
152
Parrots Birds
tree. There is one parrakeet that builds in holes
along the river banks, while the kakapo and night -
parrakeet build on the ground in tussocks of grass.
The incubating period is about twenty-four days,
and the father bird helps incubate. The young are
bom helpless, and are tenderly cared for by their
parents until fully grown. The parrots remain mated
for life, and make devoted pairs. Although they are
social, and fly in flocks, Dr. Arthiu: A. Allen states
that in Central America it can be easily seen that
they fly in flocks by pairs. He also says that though
the isolated parrot seems so brilliant, its colors par-
ticularly fit it to become invisible when in trees and
looked at from below; and although the racket
they make is ear-rending yet one rarely gets a
glimpse of the birds.
In climbing trees the parrots use both their feet
and beaks, and these same convenient organs enable
them to gather fruits, seeds and nuts, of which they
are very fond. In some countries they are pests,
because they attack trees in fruit, and grain in the
fields. In Mexico they often damage the com in
the milk stage.
Parrots are long-lived; authentic instances of
their reaching the age of seventy have been re-
corded. One is described as reaching the age of nine-
ty-three, and becoming very decrepit and helpless.
Parrots never forget a person that annoys them, and
therefore they shotdd always be treated with gentle-
ness, excepting when punishment is necessary. They
are birds with strong likes and dislikes, which to
us are quite mysterious. A parrot I knew fell in
love with one of twin spaniels when he was a puppy ;
the two puppies were seemingly exactly like, but
the bird chose one and would have nothing to do
153
Birds Parrots
with the other. She wotild play with her favorite
with every sign of enjoyment; he would paw her
feathers ruthlessly, and yet she seemed always to
like it, the while every other dog on the place stood
in mortal terror of the bird.
HOUSE
The parrot's cage should not be circular. It
should be at least two feet high, and one foot six
inches to two feet or more in either diameter.
There should be two perches, the top one thinner
than the lower one. The thinnest should be at least
a half inch in diameter. If the parrot prefers a ring
to swing on, this may be substituted for the upper
perch. It is best to have a door slide up and down
rather than to swing on hinges. The cage should be
made of galvanized wire, and fiat on top. The food
dishes should be removable from the outside.
The cage should be placed in a warm room in win-
ter, although it may be kept outdoors during the day
in summer ; but the bird must never be exposed to a
cold draft. The cage needs to b-e cleaned every day,
and the floors should be covered with clean white
sand, or else with dried soil. If possible, each day
the parrot should be allowed to come out in the
room and move around, and should be given an
opportunity to sun itself if possible. A brass cage
should not be used.
FOOD
The parrot is chiefly a seed and fruit eater, the
food varying somewhat accordingly to the species.
A suitable food is a mixture of hemp, sunflower
seeds, unhulled rice, and cracked corn. Some ripe
154
Parrots Birds
fruit, preferably bananas, oranges, cherries and
apples, should be given occasionally. A fresh twig
should be given the parrot to nibble. A bit of
cuttle-fish bone is acceptable, and sand should be
scattered on the bottom of the cage. A little red
pepper added to its food will often cure the ailing
parrot. The bird should be kept out of the dining
room, and it should not be fed from the family table.
It should not be fed fish, or bread soaked in milk;
this food is too heating, and causes it to pluck out its
feathers. Lettuce may be fed, but parsley and
chickweed never should be given, and on no account
should bones, meat or grease be given. Baked pea-
nuts have a tendency to keep the bowels from be-
coming too relaxed. Some advise hazel nuts,
almonds and walnuts ; others maintain only peanuts
should be allowed. The individual tastes of the
bird should be considered, and it should be given
what it most relishes.
CARE
Water should be given two or three times a day,
and after the bird has taken its drink the drinking
dish should be removed. Some authorities say
neither coffee or tea should be allowed. Others
advise the giving of clear, black coffee if water
causes diarrhoea.
If the parrot wishes to take a bath, it should be
given opporttmity preferably outside of its cage,
since it is a great splasher. The gray parrot prefers
to roll in the dust rather than to bathe, and should
be given a tray filled with fine dust for that purpose.
The dishes for the food must be kept very clean,
and often scalded. No remnants of food should be
allowed in the cage the day after it is given.
155
Birds Parrots
A piece of soft wood for the parrot to tear in pieces
should be kept constantly in the cage, half decayed
sticks do well for this. While it is not known that
this nibbling of wood has any affect upon the
parrots health, yet it seems to be a necessity for
the bird 's entertainment and happiness. If wood is
not given, the parrot often tears its perches to
slivers. It enjoys playing with spools and finds
much entertainment in mauling a wooden or strong
china doll.
It should be remembered that there are many
species of parrots and parrakeets used as cage birds.
Each species has it peculiarities which should be stud-
ied. We should find out all the facts possible con-
cerning our kind of parrot from books and bird deal-
ers, and we should study our own individual bird, so
as to know best how to treat it. We should always
show the parrot gentleness and affection, and never
laugh at it when trying to break it of a bad habit.
It is only by kindness and persistent efforts that this
bird can be taught good habits. In teaching the
parrot to talk, a lesson should be given in the
morning, and again in the evening, standing close
to the cage and repeating the words very distinctly.
If the bird remains very quiet, it is in all probability
learning the lesson, although it may not repeat the
words for several days. We ought always to teach
our parrots to say sensible and reasonable words,
for it makes them far more interesting.
At a certain winter resort in the South a very
talkative parrot was kept. To this hotel came a
woman with her husband and children as guests.
The woman was hysterical and irritable, and scold-
ed her husband and children in a shameless manner.
For a week the parrot remained quiet, and could
156
Parrots Birds
not be induced to say a word ; then, one morning he
began to scold in the exact tones and words of the
woman; he scolded the husband, and scolded the
children in a way that convulsed with laughter the
other guests of the hotel. The woman did not enjoy
listening to her conversation repeated by the parrot,
and left the hotel, a wiser and better woman, it is
to be hoped.
Most parrots do not like strange experiences. The
cage should always be kept in the same place, and
when there is an out-of-door perch it should always
be kept in the same situation.
For keeping the parrot healthy there are reliable
foods, tonics and remedies, like those f-umished by
the Spratts, Holden and other dealers.
Parrots are subject to inflammation of the lungs and
bronchitis. The remedy is to keep the bird in a
room where the temperature is 8o°F., and the atmos-
phere of the room should be kept moist by the steam-
ing kettle; it should be fed warm milk or broth at
intervals of an hour or two hours dtiring the day and
night. Dr. W. T. Greene, a noted English author-
ity advises for both pneiunonia and bronchitis fifteen
drops each of glycerine, oxymel of squills, and mucil-
age of gum acacia, added to one ounce of tepid
water, of which the sick bird may be given three of
four sips at intervals of three or four hours during the
day and night. The same authority advises for cold
in the head, five or six drops of tincttue of aconite to
a fluid ounce of drinking water, to be given in small
quantities every two or three hours.
For constipation, give olive oil as an injection
with a small syringe. Give also a dose of ten drops
mixed with half a teaspoon of honey twice per day.
157
Birds Parrots
For diarrhoea give bismuth in boiled milk. Keep
the bird warm and feed unhuUed rice exclusively,
with a red pepper to peck at. A cracker soaked in
brandy is sometimes a remedy.
Some parrots contract a disagreeable habit of
picking their feathers. This may be caused by bird
lice, or other parasites in the feathers. Dusting the
bird with buhach, or some other pure powdered pyre-
thrum, will kill the parasites. Sometimes this hab-
it is caused by skin irritation due to indigestion, in
this case the diet should be changed, and a teaspoon-
ful of fluid of magnesia may be put in the water in
the drinking cup. In some instances there seems to
be no reason except uneasiness on the part of the
bird, in which case, its attention should be diverted.
Dr. Greene advises putting the bird in an out-of-
door aviary for this. At least it shotild be given
new wooden playthings and should be kept on a diet
of hemp and unhuUed rice with a bit of apple or
banana.
Each individual parrot has its owns peculiarities,
and these should be studied by the owners, and the
bird treated accordingly.
REFERENCES
Birds of the World, Knowlton & Ridgeway.
The Gray Parrott, and Popular Parrakeets, by W. T.
Greene, The Spratt's Co.
Book of Birds, George H. Holden.
158
%s
COCKATOOS
i^-^HESE birds have great crests which they
can erect at will ; they are never green like
parrots, but are usually white or gray or
brownish, with the crest of brilliant color,
and often with brilliant colors on the under
side of the tail. In many respects they dif-
fer from other parrots. They are more affectionate,
and perhaps more dependent upon the devotion and
kindness of their master or mistress. They are nat-
urally gay and happy birds, full of delightful tricks.
I once saw in the Zoo two of these birds playing with
each other like a pair of kittens, rolling over and over
on the floor. At first I thought they were fight-
ing but it was real play. They are quite as intelli-
gent as parrots, and can be taught to speak, although
usually not so proficient as the parrots in this gift.
While they are very noisy when several are kept to-
gether, this tendency may be much reduced in the
individual bird by giving it affectionate care. If the
cockatoo is happy and healthy and well-cared-for,
it seems to forget to squawk. The most common
of the pet cockatoos are the rose-breasted, the stal-
phur-crested, the rose-crested and the lead-beater.
The cockatoos come from Australia and the Indian
Islands. They make their nests in decaying trees.
HOUSE
The cage of the cockatoo should be like that of the
parrot, excepting that this bird is usually larger, and
should therefore have more ample quarters.
159
Birds ' Cockatoo s
FOOD
Equal proportion of sunflower seed, hemp seed
and oats form a very excellent dietary. Apples, ban-
anas and grapes may also be given.
CARE
These birds must be kept free from cold and drafts,
although Mr. Stacey informs me that the rose-head
and sulphur-crested cockatoos are kept out-of-doors
the year around in the New York Zoological gardens
with only a shelter to which to retire. In general,
the care given to the parrots applies to the cockatoos.
THE PARROT
Within her gilded cage confined I saw a dazzling Belle,
A parrot of the famous kind, whose- name is Non-Pareil.
Like bead of glossy jet her eyes ; and smoothed by Nature's skill,
With pearl' or gleaming agate vies her finely-curved bill.
Her plumy mantle's living hues in mass opposed to mass,
Outshine the splendour that imbues the robes of pictured glass.
And, sooth to say, an after Mate did never tempt the choice
Of feathered thing most delicate in figure and in voice.
But, exiled from Australian bowers, and singleness her lot.
She trills her song with tutored powers, or mocks each casual
note.
No more of pity for regrets with which she may have striven!
Now but in wantonness she frets, or spite, if cause be given;
Arch, volatile, a sportive bird by social glee inspired;
Ambitious to be seen or heard, and pleased to be admired.
William Wordsworth.
1 60
LOVE = IBIEDS
'HES"E little members of the parrot
family have earned their name by the
devotion shown to their mates. A pair
will sit closely side by side on the perch,
cheek against cheek, or often bill touch-
ing bill for long periods of time. How-
ever, their love is not wide in its scope, and does
not include other love-birds, and especially not
other species of birds, toward whom they act
most spitefully if given opportunity. The gray-
headed love-bird comes from Madagascar, and is
quite hardy; it is about the size of an English
sparrow; the male being green, with a purplish
gray neck, while the female is entirely green. In
its native wilds the female has an interesting man-
ner of carrying the shreds of bark with which to
line her nest tucked safely beneath the feathers of
her back, a wise way to carry a load.
The rosy-faced love-bird comes from southwest-
ern Africa. The face and beak are red, and the re-
mainder of the plumage green. The wings of the
male are lined with black. It is more delicate than
the gray -headed, and needs tender care. These
birds occur in their native land in small flocks, and
fly with exceeding swiftness for short distances.
Their food consists of berries and similar fruit seeds.
They are in the habit of using the nest holes made
by other birds for their own nests.
i6i
Birds Love-Birds
HOUSE
The love-birds shoiild have large cages, giving
them plenty of chance for exercise.
FOOD
Canary seed and millet, and some green food
should be given.
A PARROT
Kept as a pet on the Island of Mull, one of the Hebrides.
The deep affection of the breast, that Heaven to living things
imparts,
Are not exclusively possessed by htiinan hearts.
A parrot from the Spanish main, full young, and early caged,
came o'er
With bright wings, to the bleak domain of MuUa's shore.
To spicy groves, where he had won his plumage of resplendent
hue.
His native fruits, and skies, and sun, he bade adieu.
For these he changed the smoke of turf a heathery land and
misty sky.
And turned on rocks and raging surf his golden eye.
But petted, in our climate cold he lived and chattered many a day ;
Until with age, from green and gold his wings grew grey.
At last when blind and seeming dumb, he scolded, laughed,
and spoke no more,
A Spanish stranger chanced to come to MuUa's shore.
He hailed the bird in Spanish speech, the bird in Spanish speech
replied
Flapped round the cage with joyous screech, dropped down and
died.
Thomas Campbell.
162
THE CROW
grape-vines,
^HE ways of crows are most interesting
to the naturalist. Although this 'bird
is so common, we have not yet become
fully acquainted with its more inti-
mate life, and there is always some-
thing new to be seen and recorded by
those who are patient and observant.
The crow builds its nest of sticks,
bark, sod, grass, moss, and horsehair.
The site of the nest is in a tree or tall bush, usually
more than twenty feet above the ground ; near the
top of some old hemlock is a favorite situation.
The eggs are pale bluish-green or nearly white, with
brownish markings. The young crows hatch in
April or May. Both parents devote themselves to
the care of the brood for the entire season.
Except during the breeding season the crows are
very social. They gather in flocks numbering fifty
to one thousand individuals. They all roost together,
usually in pine or hemlock forests, or in other ever-
green trees. They remain in such roosts during the
entire winter, coming out each day for food. They
often make journeys of many miles to thus get their
"daily bread." When the crows are feeding in the
field there is usually a sentinel posted on some high
point; the sentinel is a wise old crow of much ex-
perience, and he gives the warning of danger when
the enemy approaches.
In the wild state, the crow is a general feeder.
Usually it finds its food upon the ground, taking
large numbers of grasshoppers, grubs, cutworms, and
165
Birds The Crow
other insects, snakes, toads, frogs, mice, etc. It is
also partial to the nestlings of other birds when it finds
them. It feeds upon a large variety of wild berries,
and is particularly fond of sprouting com. Its lik-
ing for the last-named delicacy, and its clever ways
of obtaining it, have served to show how shrewd the
crow really is.
Next to the raccoon, the crow is the most mischiev-
ous of pets, and at the same time the most interesting.
It is necessary to take a crow when a fledgling in order
to bring it up successfully as a pet; although there
have been records of crows that were injured, and thus
captured and fed, becoming quite tame, yet the
young bird is the more apt learner.
The crow's propensity for stealing all bright and
shining objects makes it rather dangerous to allow
the bird the freedom of the house. Thimbles, jew-
elry, pins and needles it steals to carry off and bury
or hide in some secluded spot. Mr. Thompson-
Seton in his story of "Silver Spot,'' gives a most inter-
esting account of the crow's aesthetic interest in
glittering objects. However, it is not always the
glittering object that attracts, for a pet crow of our
acquaintance was so in the habit of stealing the
clothes-pins off the line, that he was kept in confine-
ment on wash day.
The crow is not only intelligent, but very imita-
tive, and therefore may be taught many tricks. Mr.
Lottridge writes of a crow taught to hop over sticks,
jump through a hoop, hold a pipe in the beak, and to
pretend it had a broken wing. The writer's exper-
ience with tame crows has been confined to two, Joe
and Billy. Joe was the pet of a farmer, and particu-
larly enjoyed helping about the farm work. He al-
ways assisted in digging the potatoes by keeping
164
The Crow Birds
abreast of the workers and ptdling up a stem and
scratching a httle at each hill. One day he tried to
help his master weed the onion bed but he was not
very discriminating between weeds and onions, and
was driven off. Indignant at this treatment, he
waited until the coast was clear, and returned to
finish the job, by pulling up every onion in the
bed.
Billy was the special comrade of a little boy, with
whom he was fond of playing marbles. The boy
would shoot a marble into a hole, and then Billy
would take a marble in his beak and go and drop it in
the hole. Thus they would play turn and turn about
for hours of the day. Billy was always very angry
if the boy insisted on shooting his marble out of turn.
Billy also learned to talk the language of the chicken
yard. He was especially proficient in raaking the
noise which the hen makes when calling her chickens
to food. Billy wotild put his beak down to the
ground in imitation of the hen, give the call, and
then, when the overgrown chickens came rushing to
seize the tid-bit, he would take a mouthful of feath-
ers out of the back of the nearest one and go ofi[
chuckling to himself. Billy also learned to imitate
the call to dinner.
HOUSE
The crow should not be confined in a cage, but
shoiild, with a clipped wing, be allowed freedom of
the grotmds and bam. It will consort with the hens
if allowed, and make itself generally at home.
When confined in a cage the crow is a very dirty
bird, and the cage ill-smelling despite reasonable
efforts to clean it.
165
Birds , The Crow
FOOD
The crow eats grain, meat s'craps, and almost any
of the refuse from the table. It may be fed chopped
raw meat, mice and worms; it is fond of berries of
the Virgina creeper, and many other wild berries.
Grain or com should be softened before giving it to
the bird.
CARE
The crow should have plenty of fresh water for
drinking and bathing.
REFERENCES
Description of habits, Bird Neighbors, Neltje Banchan.
"Silver Spot," Wild Animals I Have Known, Thompson-
Seton.
"Crow Ways," Ways op Wood Folk, W. J. Long.
"Birds' Winter Beds," and "In the October Moon," A
Watcher in the Woods, D. L. Sharp.
THE CROW
With rakish eye and plenished crop.
Oblivious of the farmer's gun,
Upon the naked ash-tree top
The Crow sits basking in the sun.
An old ungodly rogue, I wot!
For, perched in black against the blue.
His feathers, torn with beak and shot.
Let woful glints of April through.
The year's new grass, and, golden-eyed.
The daisies sparkle underneath.
And chestnut-trees on either side
Have opened every ruddy sheath.
But doubtful still of frost and snow,
The ash alone stands stark and bare.
And on its topmost twig the Crow
Takes the glad morning's sun and air.
William Canton.
I66
Photo by \'rru,- M,,rtou
CHUMS
A bo\- anil his pet cri
THE BLUEJAY
F YOU desire a pet to test the patience of
the household, by all means take a nestling
blue] ay and rear it. It will be happy all
day long, if it can find enough mischief to
occupy its time. It will destroy books and
furniture, especially the upholstery, and
;;yVx\ carry off all the pens, pins and jewelry that
~'~' it can lay beak upon. It will soon learn
to make raids upon the kitchen, in fact, there is
little in the household that it will not meddle with
in the course of its active life. Nevertheless, despite
its records of mischief, and despite its beautiful
plumage, the bluejay as a pet, cannot equal the
crow.
As a wild bird, the bluejay often remains in the
northern States during the winter. For most of the
yearthe jays live in mixed woodlands in noisy flocks,
screaming and chattering in a most disagreeable
manner, from the hearer's standpoint. They espec-
ially enjoy harrowing a sleepy owl, and by their
scolding bring all the other birds of the forest to
join in abusing this fluffy enemy, who snaps his beak
and ruffles his feathers in a vain attempt to fright-
en his tormentors.
The jays are such excellent bird linguists that
they learn to imitate many sounds; they also enjoy
playing practical jokes at the expense of other birds.
For instance, a jay will suddenly give the scream of
a hawk, and then seems to enjoy seeing all the scared
little birds slip away in fright. It will also imitate
a small bird in distress, and thus bring about it a
167
Birds The Bhiejay
great number of other birds that hasten to the aid
of the supposed victim.
But when nesting time comes, the last of April or
early May, the whole character of the jay changes.
It suddenly becomes the quietest and shyest of birds
and no longer screams or associates with its fellows.
Each pair finds a secluded spot and builds in a tree-
crotch, from ten to twenty feet from the ground, a
rather bulky nest of twigs, firmly interwoven, and
lined with soft rootlets. In this well protected nest
from four to six brownish or olive cinnamon-spotted
eggs are laid. The devoted parents seem to hav-e
lost their voices, and talk in whispers, or mew softly
to each other, like little "pussy cats". Not until
the yotingsters are able to leave the nest do the par-
ents resume their noisy social habits.
HOUSE
A pet jay should not be kept in a cage. It is like-
ly not to live when thus confined, unless the cage be
as large as a small room. It should be given the
freedom of the premises where it can get into mis-
chief and be happy.
FOOD
The jay is a general feeder. When young, and
taken from the nest, it should be fed on bread and
milk, hard-boiled eggs minced, and a little chopped
raw meat should be given each day, with whatever
insects may be foimd. When older, the bird will
thrive on nuts, green peas, fruit, large insects and
mice. In case there are no insects, give the bird a
bone with a little meat on it, and let him pick it as
entertainment. A blue jay always enjoys his food
i68
The Bluejay Birds
better if he thinks he is steahng it. One of his fav-
orite diversions in the forests is stealing nuts from
squirrels, therefore it will add to the bird's zest in life
if you hide the food in certain places, which he will
soon get to know. The bird should always have
access to fresh water
REFERENCES
Description of habits, Bird Neighbors, Neltje Banchan.
"Two Studies in Blue," American Birds,. \¥. J. Finley.
"Meeko", Secrets of the Woods, W J. Long.
"Mr. Bluejay, full o' sass,
In them baseball clothes of his,
Sportin' round the orchard jes'
Like he owned the premises !
James Whitcomb Riley.
" Clad in blue with snow-white trimmings.
Clean and smooth in every feather,
Plumed and crested like a dand}^
Keen of vision, strong of muscle.
Shrewd in mimicry and, dodging,
Knowing every copse and thicket,
Warm in snow and cool in summer.
Is the bluejay still a villain?
Outlawed by all bird tribunals,
As a wretch disguised, he's branded.
Shunned by every feathered creature ;
Yet he prospers, man admires him."
Frank Bolles.
169
THE MAGPIE
TAGPIES are related to the crows and
jays, and have habits like theirs in many
respects. They are striking birds in irri-
descent blue-black and white uniforms
and have very long and expressive tails.
Magpies are social, and usually occur
in small flocks. They are noisy, their voices being
harsh and unmusical. They find much of their food
on the ground. It is interesting to watch a mag-
pie feed; it hops about with great agility, making
sudden leaps this way and that, when hunting
grubs, snails and grasshoppers.
The magpie nest is a complicated structure of
sticks and mud built in layers; it is lined with fine
roots, and over the whole is placed a roof of sticks,
leaving a door at one side. Around the door, and
over and above the whole nest is placed a covering
of thorns to discourage visitors. The nest is situat-
ed in a high tree, or in a dense bush.
The magpie which we buy of the bird-dealers is
usually the European species; but we have in our
Western states, from Arizona to Alaska, a magpie
which is considered a variety of the European spec-
ies. It builds a nest like the latter, except that it
has another opening opposite the door for the ac-
commodation of its long tail.
As a pet, the magpie is as cunnmg and mischievous
as the crow or jay; and it can learn to talk better
than either. It is able to say whole sentences and
laugh hilariously. It loves to steal and hide glitter-
ing objects; it is especially inquisitive, and wiU in-
170
./m i U
mm. %K:^hUk
]'h.d'i /.,■ 1 ni;,- .Uw/nJ
TVMINI, A ^■0^'\(■. CinCKAlHCE
The Magpie Birds
sist on taking part in everything that is going on,
unless confined. The annals of a pet magpie, if
faithftilly kept, would prove a most amusing biog-
raphy.
HOUSE
If kept in a cage, a large one is necessary. A
packing box, about five feet square, with one side
wired, would give the bird ample room. However,
if it is reared in captivity, the bird should be given
the freedom of the house and grounds. One of its
wings should be clipped to prevent its straying.
FOOD
Raw meat, especially beef and mutton, should be
given, and to it should be added oatmeal mixed stift",
and table-scraps. It is very fond of picking the meat
from a bone, and eats mice, and insects with great
gusto. A drinking cup filled each day with fresh
water should be kept accessible.
CARE
The magpie should be given a chance to bathe
every day, and a protected, warm corner in which to
dry its pltmiage. If kept in a cage, the latter should
be cleaned often. If allowed to wander free, it
should be shut up nights to keep it away from. cats.
171
THE OWL
__WLS have long been considered the
wisest of birds, probably because
their great eyes look like spectacles,
and their crooked beak like an intel-
lectual nose. If the owl 's form were
the result of its thought, it would
indeed merit the reputation of wis-
dom for it is a bird marvelously adapted for its
life.
It is a creature of the night, and its great eyes
have an iris that opens wide in the dark, and shuts
to a little round pupil in daylight. The owl, like
the cat, sees in the dark by using the light twice, and
this enables it to fly about avoiding branches and
obstacles ; but it gains its knowledge of the where-
abouts of its prey largely through its acute hearing.
Its ear instead of being a mere opening in the head,
consists of a fold of skin, forming a channel which ex-
tends from above the eye aro-und to the side of the
throat. It can detect the slightest rustle of mouse or
bird, and pounces in the direction from which the
sound comes. It seizes its prey in its sharp claws;
the outer toe can be moved back at will in order to
give it a better grasp. The ctirved beak is used to
tear its victim in pieces to be swallowed.
In order to secure its prey, the owl must move
silently; its plumage is very fluffy, and its wing
feathers instead of having stiff edges, like those of
other birds, are bordered with soft fringes which
cushion the stroke of the wing on the air, and
render the flight noiseless.
172
The Owl Birds
Usually the plumage of the owl is brown and
speckled, and is very protective. During the day
these birds like to retreat into the thick foliage and
sit there humped upon the branches, and they look
more like great knots or broken branches than like
living creatures. The owls are devoted lovers, and
remain paired for life.
The cry of the owl is a blood-curdling sound, and
undoubtedly serves to startle timid little creatures
into activity, and thus give the owl information as
to their location. One morning before daylight, I
was lying awake in our summer camp in the woods,
when I heard a screech-owl hoot, and then a scamper
in the dry leaves followed ; the owl came nearer and
perched on a stump and hooted again; there was
another rustle in the leaves, and the owl potmced
upon the spot, and I heard a squeak of terror on the
part of the mouse. I was convinced that the owl
hooted that time to make sure of the whereabouts of
its victim.
The digestive system of the owl is peculiar, and
needs to be, considering the bird 's table manners. It
swallows its prey as nearly whole as possible, and
lets the stomach do the work of selecting what is
nourishing and rejecting what is not. Thus the
hair of mice, and of other small animals, feathers of
birds and the bones of both are rolled together into
pellets in the stomach and are later thrown up.
As a pet, the owl is not an attractive cage bird. It
is very difficult to keep the cage clean, and almost
impossible to keep it from becoming smelly; more-
over, these birds eat so much that it requires a great
deal of time and attention to feed them. But of all
the owls, the little screech-owl is the most interesting
and the least trouble, since it will not attack grown
poultry if given freedom to fly about the premises.
173
Birds The Owl
The fubsy screech-owl fledglings usually climb out of
the home nest hole, about the last of May, and they
are the quaintest little creatures imaginable. It is
at this age that one may- be captured, and will make
an interesting though always a snappy pet.
HOUSE
If kept in a cage, the latter shotild be dry, airy,
and easily cleaned, but it is better to give the bird
freedom. A large branch, or a section of a small log
should be hollowed out, leaving an entrance at the
side large enough to admit the bird. This should be
fastened in an evergreen tree, situated as near the
barn as possible. Introduce the bird into this nest
and feed it there every day, and it will soon accept
the place as home. It will serve to keep the barn
free from mice quite as effectually as a cat. Un-
fortunately the owl is not discriminating in its food,
and is as likely to take the beneficial swallow as it is
to take the disagreeable English sparrow, in fact, if
one wishes to coax birds to live about his premises,
it is not advisable to keep a pet owl. If one wishes
to keep a pet owl at home and harmless, one wing
should be clipped.
FOOD
The owls like raw animal food, such as rats, mice,
insects and heads and necks of poultry. The process
of throwing up the undigestible portions from the
stomach seems to be so necessary, that some people
purchase cheap meat and roll it in feathers or short
hair before giving it. The food should be given reg-
ularly, and the dietary should not include tough
meat.
174
The Owl Birds
CARE
A supply of fresh water in a large shallow vessel
should always be at the owl's disposal to satisfy
thirst and for bathing. When handling the owl
avoid its claws, and it is best to use a cloth or strong
gloves to protect the hands, since a wound from the
strong claws is likely to be infected with poison
germs.
REFERENCES
Description of habits, in Birds that Hunt and are Hunted,
Neltje Banchan.
"The Screech Owl," Familiar Wild Animals, W. J. Lottridge.
"Snowy Visitors," in Ways of Wood Folk and "Kookoo-
skoos," in Wilderness Ways, W. J. Long.
"The Boy and Hushwing," Kindred of the Wild, C. G. D.
Roberts.
Audubon Educational Leaflets, Nos. 12, 14, 22.
THE AZIOLA
" Do you not hear the Aziola cry?
Methinlfs she must be nigh,"
Said Mary, as we sate
In dusk, ere the stars were lit or candles brought.
And I, who thought
This Aziola was some tedious woman,
Asked, "Who is Aziola?" How elate
I felt to know that it was nothing human,
No mockery of myself to fear and hate !
And Mary saw my soul.
And laughed and said, "Disquiet yourself not;
'Tis nothing but a little downy owl."
Sad Aziola ! many an eventide
Thy music I had heard
By wood and stream, meadow and mountain-side
And fields and marshes wide, —
Such as no voice nor lute nor wind nor bird
The soul ever stirred;
Unlike and far sweeter than they all.
Sad Aziola ! from that moment I
Loved thee and thy sad cry. — Percy B. Shelley.
175
PIGEONS
THE Pigeons are among the most ancient
of domesticated birds. We can imagine
the children of the Bible — Samuel, David,
or maybe Cain and Abel, playing with
' these beautiful birds and feeding them, just
as the traveler sees the little long-gowned
boys of the Orient doing to-day. The
taming of the pigeon, and the breeding of different
varieties, began so long ago, that we have no record
of it. Charles Darwin believed that the Rock-pig-
eon of Europe was the ancestor of our common
domestic varieties. These blue Rock-pigeons build
in rocky caverns along the coast of the British
Isles, and of Europe and Asia bordering the Med-
iterranean. In color they are scarcely distinguishable
from common tame pigeons. Pigeon breeders have
never been able to produce a distinct type like
the Pouter from this species, although their records
cover two hundred years. However, there are
other authorities who believe that the stock-dove
of Europe was the original species. In all proba-
bility, the pigeons, like the dogs, were derived
from various wild ancestors. The ancestors of our
domestic varieties were probably not migratory,
and lived in caverns or trees.
There are to-day about one h-undred and fifty
varieties of domestic pigeons, including fancy
breeds. London is the center of pigeons fanciers,
and there the best of the fancy varieties bring large
prices. Of these many varieties only four are recog-
nized by fanciers in America as having been bred
176
«
:r-
Jx •■-
SC*WWC*'^w-^-,,
Mi^mMfi
Photo hv \'enif Morton
PET PI(W-;()N^
Pigeons Birds
to approximate perfection. These royal four are
Carrier, Pouter, Barb and the short-faced Tumbler.
Secondly, there are varieties which possess distinc-
tive qualities regardless of color, and have a strong
tendency to transmute them to their young; these
are Jacobins, Long-faced Tumbler, Owl, Oriental
Frill, Turbit, Fantail, Show-Antwerp and Runt.
Thirdly, there are the Toy pigeons, which depends
almost entirely upon color to distinguish them from
other pigeons, such as the Swallow, Helmet, Nun,
Archangel, Magpie and others.
Fourthly, is a bird lacking distinct color or shape,
but possessing the instinct of returning home, and
an endurance which causes it to rank as a fancy pig-
eon, this is called the Antwerp or Homer.
SOME PIGEON VARIETIES*
The Carrier does not, as its name would indicate,
carry messages, but is kept as a fancy pigeon valued
only for shape, size and color. It is a large, strongly
built bird, with long feathers and a rough appear-
ance. Its neck is stately, its shoulders broad. At
the base of the beak is the Carrier 's chief glory, the
beak wattle, a bare fleshy growth ; around the eye is
a bare circle of skin called the eye cere. The
Carrier was undoubtedly the pigeon that figured in
the Arabian Nights, for it came originally from
Bagdad.
The Pouter is a very tall bird, and stands nearly
perpendicularly on its long slender legs. It has won
its fame by being able while strutting to inflate its
breast with air. Its marking consists of a crescent of
*These notes on the breeds of pigeons were written for the author by-
Professor H. Freeman Button, of Vincennes University, who has had con-
siderable experience in judging pigeons at various shows.
177
Birds Pigeons
white on the front of its crop. Its other colors may
be various. It is a popular pigeon in Europe and
Asia.
The Barb is a strong and large bird, v/ith a pltunp
body, short legs, broad skull, and short beak. It
has a large thick, circular bright red wattle around
each eye. The Barb was a well-known bird in
Shakespeare's time, for he alludes to it.
The Short-faced Tumbler was introduced into
England two-hundred years ago. It is a diminutive
THE CARRIER A POUTER
and sprightly bird, with a broad, weU-ctuved head,
carried on a graceful neck. The beak is so short and
fine that many cannot feed their own young, and
they therefore must be cared for by plebian pigeon
nurses. When a ttunbler flies, it turns very pretty
somersaults in the air. Some, called Parlor- Tum-
blers, can fly but a few feet from the floor, even,
tumbling within six inches of the floor, and alight-
ing on their feet. Others are high-flyers, tumbling
only occasionaUy, and are able to remain in the air
for hours at a time. The Tumblers have a strong
homing instinct.
178
Pigeons
Birds
The Fantail has a broad, expanded tail which may
contain as many as fifty feathers. It is a small bird
with round body, and full
breast, the head being carried
so far back that it rests against
the tail. The points most
sought after in the "Fans" are,
small size, large tail evenly
balanced, and not carried to one
side, and the head carried far
back against the tail. The
Fantail is thought to have
THE BARB
originated in India, and no one
knows how long ago.
The Jacobin is a meditim sized, plurap bird, with
a ring of inverted feathers back of the head, which
stand up like a feather boa, hiding the head up to
the eyes. It is not known in what country the
Jacobin originated, but it was mentioned by a writer
before the year 1600.
BALDHEAD TUMBLER
SHORT-FACED TUMBLER
The Turbit is a small round bird, with full breast
and short legs and neck. The head is short and
round, the beak very short and stout, and the
eye large. The feathers on the back of the head are
179
Birds
Pigeons
THE JACOBIN
inverted, forming a pointed crest, which gives the
bird a surprised look. The neck and upper breast
have inverted, curled feathers
forming a dainty frill. This bird
has been known for more than
a century.
The Nun has the head and
primary wing feathers and tail
feathers of the same color, pref-
erably black, and the rest of the
body white. It is characterized
by a circle of inverted feathers
extending from ear to ear, which makes a shell crest
about the head, resembling a nun's cap. The bird
has been known about one-hundred and fifty years.
The Archangel was introduced into Europe from
Asia about a century ago. The head, neck, breast and
under parts are copper bronze, with a sheen of ruby red.
The wing coverts and rump are black with green lus-
ter, and the tail is dark blue with a black bar at the end.
The Homer or Antwerp does not differ in color or
form from the comjmon pigeon,
but has such powers of flight,
and such success in finding its
way home, that it is freely
accorded a place as a fancy
pigeon. Pigeons have been
used to convey news since his-
tory began, and probably long
before. They were used by all
nations in olden times, and
often now are used in war to
carry messages.
The training of the Homer consists in taking a
young bird a short distance from home — say ten or
THE TURBIT
1 80
Pigeons
Birds
twenty miles, and then liberating it. A second time
it is taken some forty or fifty miles away, and thus
it is trained in the geography of the home region,
until it will return five hundred, or even one thous-
and miles. It is now thought pigeons travel mostly
by sight, using river, lake and mountain as land-
marks. The Homer, as we know it, has been devel-
oped largely since the siege of Paris, where it was
used most successfially to carry news from the un-
fortunate city.
THE ARCHANGEL
Training pigeons for flight has been a favorite
pastime for ages past; At Modena, in Italy, this
sport was practiced as far back as 1327. There
were men whose business it was to train the pigeons
to execute complex manoeuvres in the air, directing
their performances by loud whistling, and by means
of flags. There are also in India breeds of flying
pigeons, which are likewise trained and directed by
flags fastened to long bamboo rods.
HOUSE
Pigeons are willing to live almost anywhere. The
old way was to keep them in cotes, which is a pigeon
apartment house placed on a pillar so as to keep it
free from attacks of rats and mice. Often they are
181
Birds Pigeons
housed in the loft of a barn or shed; and while the
common breeds do fairly well if thus left to them-
selves, yet no pets respond to loving care better than
do the pigeons.
The first essential of the modem pigeon house is
that it shall be mice and rat -proof ; this is often ac-
complished by interlining or covering all the walls
with wire netting. The house should be placed on
well-drained soil, and should face southward in our
northern climate. If built large like our chicken
houses, it should be well ventilated with windows
that may be opened or closed according to the
weather. The roof should be tight, and the holes
for exit should be arranged with a six inch alighting
board or threshold both inside and outside.
The following pigeon house is advised by Mr. J.
C. Long, who maintains that it can be built for
twenty dollars, and will accommodate twenty-five
pairs of birds. The house is 8 ft. square on the
ground plan, 4 ft. high at the back, and 6 ft. high at
the front, the roof to pitch from the front backward.
The floor is tight, and the whole house is supported
on piers or posts a foot high from the ground, and
capped with zinc projecting downwards to prevent
entrance of rats. The roof may be made of rough
boards covered with felt roofing paper, or it may be
shingled. In any case, it must be rain-proof. The
door for the entrance of the caretaker is placed at
one end of the house near the front. Along the
front of the house is a window, with eight panes of
glass, each pane being 8 x 10 inches. The bottom
of the window should be 18 inches above the floor.
The window-sill on the inside should be widened by
adding a board a foot wide, so the birds may
get a sun-bath, which is very necessary to their
182
Pigeons Birds
health. On either side the window is an exit 6x6
inches, with rounded top, and an aUghting board 6
inches wide on the outside, and also on the inside
of each exit. There should be four rows of nests at
the back. The nest compartments should be made
of shelves a foot wide and spaced a foot apart.
These shelves should be partitioned with narrow
boards into spaces a foot wide. The shelves should
be removable so that they may be taken out to be
cleaned if necessary. The house is really kept much
cleaner if nesting bowls are used. These bowls are
made for the purpose, and are sold by the makers of
floral pottery for green-houses. However, they are
necessary only when squab-raising is planned.
There should be five rows of nests along the side.
The house completed, we next have to consider
the fly, or the gymnasium in front of it. This is not
necessary if the pigeons are allowed to fly about the
country freely ; but it is always a good thing to have
in case it is desirable to confine the birds. To pre-
pare the ground for the fly, mark out a space in
front of the house 8 feet wide, or just the width of
the house, and 14 feet long. Take out all the earth
for a depth of 4 inches, and fill the place excavated
with clean sand and place at the comers four 2x3
inch hemlock posts, 8 feet above ground. These
posts should be held in place by i x 4 inch boards,
nailed to the top and connecting them. One board
should be nailed about mid-way the height of the
post, and another along the bottom. Space the mid-
dle board so that chicken wire 4 feet wide may be
used for the bottom section, and that 3 feet wide for
the upper section. On the inside of the board, at
the middle of the post, should be a walldng board 6
inches wide, on which the bird may take exercise.
183
Birds Pigeons
There should be a wire gate at the side and of course
the fly should be covered with chicken wire.
When all is ready, the inside of the house should
be thoroughly whitewashed with lime, to which car-
bolic acid is added in proportion of one teaspoonful
of acid to two gallons of wash. Then the floor
shotild be covered with sand ; if sand is not to be
had, sawdust or chaff may be used.
FOOD
The food shotild be of good quality. Red wheat,
small Canada peas, buckwheat, hulled oats, Kaffir
corn, millet, are all used ; and as a treat, a little hemp
or rape seed may be given. Neither barley or rye
should be fed. The grain should not be new, and
should be thoroughly dried. Large kemeled com
is likely to choke the birds. Some advise the use
of stale bread soaked in water until soft, and then
add bran until the moisture is absorbed, and then
add a little cayenne pepper; this is used for a relish.
In the winter in our northern climates, the Kaffir
com, buckwheat and peas should make up the bulk
of the food. The pigeons are always fond of a little
tender green food; lettuce or onion tops may be
given at any time. If fed only twice per day, the food
should be placed in hoppers, rather than scattered on
the ground. To make a feed hopper take two boards
2 feet long, 12 inches wide, and one-half inch thick,
take two pieces 10 inches wide at the top, and two
inches wide at the bottom, and nail them at the ends
of the boards. This will make a v-shaoed trough
with a two inch slit at the bottom. Place below
this a trough 6 inches wide and 2 inches deep, with
standards at the ends. Fasten the hopper above
Pi geons Birds
the trough with its narrow bottom about i >2 inches
above the bottom of the trough. The hopper
should have a hinged cover, to prevent the wast-
ing of the food. Wires about two inches apart
should extend from the edge of the trough to the
sides of the hopper. Food may be placed in this
hopper and it will fall belov/ into the trough as fast
as it is eaten out.
Several of these filled hoppers and troughs should
be placed where the pigeons have access to them.
Care should be taken that mice do not get into the
food; placing the hopper upon the platforms 4 to 6
inches square, supported on zinc-covered posts is
one way to accomplish this.
It is necessary for the health of the birds to give
them plenty of salt ; often a piece of dried codfish is
tacked to the wall, but more often a lump of rock salt
which is moistened occasionally, is placed near the
food troughs.
Gravel is necessary to the digestion of pigeons; if
they are allowed to fly freely they will get it for them-
selves, but in confinement we must supply this need.
Crushed oyster shells, mixed with coarse sand, and
some charcoal, seems often more acceptable to the
birds than the gravel.
NESTING
At this time coarse hay should be placed where
the birds may get it. This should be cut in pieces
about 4 inches long. Stems of tobacco, cut about
the sam_e length should also be given, to assist in
warding off lice. The hen pigeon lays two eggs,
usually with one day between. She sits from three
or four o'clock in the afternoon until about ten the
185
Birds Pigeons
next day. Then her mate takes his turn, and sits
until afternoon. The period of incubation is seven-
teen days from the laying of the first egg. The
parents are very devoted during this period, and
remain near each other excepting when gathering
food.
The little squab chips its own way out of its shell.
It is covered with yellow down, and is blind and by
no means pretty. The parents begin to feed the
squabs about three or four hours after they are
hatched. To meet this need the stomachs of both
parents produce a cheesey substance known as pigeon
milk. The parent takes the beak of the young bird
in its own, and pumps into the stomach of the young-
ster this very nutritious food. After about five days,
this food is replaced by grain, which is softened in
the stomach of the parent. The squabs do not grow
much until they are about five days old ; when seven
days old the pin-feathers appear. When three
weeks old the squab can walk, but is not able to feed
itself until it is five weeks old.
CARE
The pigeon drinks differently from other birds.
It has throat muscles so that it can thrust its beak
down into the water, and suck it up, as does the
horse, while other birds take a mouthful of the
water, and lift the head and let gravity carry it to
the stomach. Pigeons must have plenty of clean
water. If they are allowed their liberty they usu-
ally find this in some pond or stream, but in confine-
ment fresh water in shallow zinc pans should be giv-
en twice a day. The best arrangement of all is to
pipe the water into the fly, so that it constantly drips
1 86
Pigeons Birds
into a shallow pan, which is drained at a certain
height. Some advise keeping pieces of iron in the
pan. When the pigeons are working hard, during
the breeding season, and seem run-down, the
Douglass mixture is put in the drinking water occas-
ionally. This is a tonic, and is often very beneficial.
It is made by dissolving in two quarts of soft
hot water, one- third ounce of sulphuric acid and five-
eights ounce of green vitriol. When cold, add two
quarts more of water, and place in a bottle or stone
jug. Use one tablespoonful of this mixture to one
pint of water given to the pigeons for drink.
REFERENCES
Description of habits, in Birds that Hunt and are Hunted,
Neltje Banchan.
The Poultry Book, Harrison Weir.
Squab-Raising, Farmer's Bulletin, U. S. Dept. of Agri-
culture.
Pigeon-Keeping for Amateurs, James C. Lyell.
"Amaus," Animal Heroes, Thompson-Seton.
Daddy Darwin's Dovecote, Mrs. Ewing.
"I HAD A DOVE"
I had a dove, and the sweet dove died;
And I have thought it died of grieving ;
O, what could it grieve for? Its feet were tied
With a ribbon thread of my own hand's weaving.
Sweet little red feet ! why should you die ?
Why would you leave me, sweet bird! Why?
You lived alone in the forest tree :
Why, pretty thing ! would you not live with me ?
I kissed you oft and gave you white peas ;
Why not live sweetly, as in the green trees ?
John Keats.
187
CHICKENS
|OWNY little chickens make very de-
voted pets. I once knew a gentleman
whose home was in the country
who always made pets of his chick-
ens ; and in the summer when he sat
smoking on the piazza, the chickens
would gather in a circle about him,
and whenever he went walking across
the fields, they would follow him in a long pro-
cession.
Chickens do best if allowed their freedom. If this
is not always possible, they should at least have the
advantage of a good sized yard in which to take their
exercise.
The chicken, when it is first hatched from the egg,
is a fluffy little creature with bright, questioning
eyes, and is so active that it very soon is able to fol-
low its clucking mother into the field and there take
the food which she finds for it. The conversation
of chickens is particularly interesting, and shoiold be
understood by everyone who cares for them. The
hen clucks Vv"hen she is leading her chickens out for
food, so that they will know where she is, even if she
is hidden in the tall grass, and the chicks keep up a
constant peeping so that she knows where they are;
if a chick gets lost its peep becomes loud and com-
plaining; but when it cuddles under its mother's
wing, its little note is one of utter contentment.
Scientists have discovered that there are twenty-
three different notes made by the chickens and their
parents, and at least ten of these are easily under-
stood by U.S.
l88
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A l-HIEMll.V Iillili\ AM) HI.H M\sll-,R
Chicken s Birds
The chicken's feet are fitted for scratching, be-
cause it finds much of its food on or in the ground.
Its beak is sharp and horny, and fitted for picking
up seeds and insects. For this reason it is best for
the chicken to scratch about in the dirt, and live as
naturally as possible.
HOUSE
The coop should be warm, clean and well venti-
lated. It should contain low perches, for when the
chicken is no longer protected by its brooding moth-
er, it naturally goes to roost at night. The perches
should be movable so that they can be taken out
and cleaned. The coop should have windows, which
may be covered with muslin instead of glass, as this
will admit the air and prevent a draft. The house
should be constructed so that it may be cleaned often.
When the chicken is small, the bed must be of
finely cut straw or chaff, and must always be dry.
Later rye straw may be used. Clean and dry quar-
ters are absolutely necessary for the health of the
chicken.
FOOD
A young chicken should not be fed until at least
twenty-four hours after it comes from the egg, for it
is provided with food by the yolk which it is then
absorbing. For the first meal, bread-crumbs moist-
ened with sweet milk is recommended. Hard boiled
egg minced fine and mixed with an equal amount of
bread-crumbs forms an excellent food for the first
day. After that, give oatmeal, or rolled oats, crack-
ed wheat and cracked corn, with a little millet.
Grit is necessary to help the chicken digest its food.
We chew our food until it is soft and fine before
Birds
Chickens
swallowing ; but the chicken swallows its food whole,
and after it is softened by juices from the stom-
ach, it passes into a little mill called the gizzard, in
which the gravel or grit helps in grinding the food
fine. Small, finely broken eggshells may be used
instead of grit at first. The chickens must also have
fresh green food. If they are where they can get fresh
grass this will suffice, otherwise they shotild have
lettuce, or other vegetable tops cut rather fine. Pro-
fessor James E. Rice gives small chickens chopped
onions for green food with the best of results. They
should be fed from five to seven times per day for
the first week ; after this it will not be necessary to
feed more than three times a day, if they have con-
stant access to some dry food. The following are
rations recommended for young chickens by the
Cornell University Potiltry Department:
Mixture No. i
Rolled oats
Bread-crumbs or cracker waste.
Sifted beef scrap (best grade) .
Bone meal
Lbs.
8
8
2
I
A/[ixture No.
Wheat (cracked)
Cracked com (fine)
Pinliead meal
Mixture No
Wheat bran ... ....
Corn meal ...
Wheat middlings
Beef scrap (best grade) .
Bone meal
Mixture No. i should be moistened with sour
skimmed milk and will prove a most satisfactory
food for the first five or six days. Mixture No. 3
190
Fiom Handbook oj JSaliue ^tudy
PLAYING HORSE
Photo by Verne Morton
A PET ROOSTER
Chickens Birds
is best fed as a dry mash In a hopper and is suitable
food to keep constantly before the chicks until they
are pretty well grown. Mixture No. 2 is suitable
for feeding in light litter after the first week.
CARE
Chickens should have access continually to pure,
clean water. Perhaps the easiest way to accomplish
this is to fill a milk bottle, or a quart Mason jar to
the very brim with water, and invert it in a little pan
or saucer. The water should be changed in this
every day and the saucer cleaned. By this arrange-
ment water only comes into the saucer for drinking
purposes, and the chickens do not get wet, as when a
pan of water is given them. Watch the water dish
in the winter, and see that it does not become frozen.
It is absolutely necessary that the chickens take a
great deal of exercise, and this shoiild be in a dry
place. A movable coop with a run, which may be
made by fastening chicken wire above and along the
sides of a framework of two-inch material, works
well. In this case the coop itself and the runway
may be moved about to fresh ground. The food for
little chickens should be thrown into the litter, so as
to teach them to scratch for it, and thus be sure that
they will take exercise. A dust bath is necessary
for the health of the chickens. This is best made of
equal parts of land plaster and coal ashes. Fine dust
from the road is good. Dust should be kept in a dry
portion of the yard in boxes, so that it will not be-
come too much scattered.
REFERENCES
The Poultry Book, Harrison Weir.
"On Domesticated Birds," Domesticated Animals, A''. 5.
Shaler.
Outdoor Work, M. R. Miller.
191
BANTAMS
HERE was once only one kind of
bantam. If we should ask our grand-
parents what they knew about ba,n-
tams in their childhood, they would
tell us many stories of the "Banties" which were
their pets; they were reddish in color with tufted legs,
and with tails so up in the air that they almost touched
the neck, and were possessed of a fighting spirit
big enough for an ostrich. In fact, these "Banties"
usually were kept apart from the other poultry
because the little rooster had so much more valor
than judgment that he did not hesitate to attack a
Shanghai cock, and would fight until he had not
strength enough left to peck. Those Bantams
were probably of the original race which were ship-
ped to Europe it is said, from Bantam, in the west
of the Island of Java. But Mrs. Skidmore assures
us that in Bantam they have fowls so tall that
they can take food off the dinner table standing and
that the spirited little fowls called Bantams were
introduced into Java from a trading junk probably
from Japan or China. But strange to say, this
breed is practically lost, although it was once well
scattered over Europe and America.
The Bantams we have to-day are pigmies of large
fowls for the most part, bred true to color and form
in many instances. Smallness in a Bantam is a de-
sirable quality. The Standard of Perfection recog-
nizes eight or nine game Bantams, and about eighteen
ornamental varieties. While the keeping of Ban-
tams for eggs is scarcely possible so far as markets
192
Bantams Birds
are concerned, yet the home table may thus be pro-
vided with small and excellent eggs. The females of
most breeds of Bantams are good sitters and rear
their chicks well, and are often used for hatching
pheasants' eggs.
HOUSE
The coop should be made with a tight floor. Many
cover the floor to a depth of several inches with sand
and scatter over this a layer of chaff, cut hay, or any
kind of dry litter. The coop should be well ventilated,
with windows covered with muslin sheeting. If it
is impossible to allow the fowls to run about freely,
they should have a run enclosed in chicken wire.
They should have plenty of fresh air, and their
quarters be kept extremely clean.
FOOD
Chopped hard boiled egg and bread-crtimbs or
table-scraps minced fine make an excellent meal for
Bantam chicks, later give small rations as advised
for chickens. Cracked com may be given in the
winter and hemp seed is always relished. Green
food should always be provided; cabbage, turnips
cut in small pieces, and mangel-wurzel beets may be
given in the winter. In the summer the fowls can
forage for themselves, if left free. If confined to
coop and run, they should be given a half ounce per
day per fowl of finely ground, green bone, or meal
scraps in addition to their other food.
Give the same care as given to ordinary chickens
REFERENCES
The Poultry Book, H. Weir.
Outdoor Work, M. R. Miller.
193
PHEASANTS
IHESE birds did not originate in England.
We should need to go to the mountains of
Asia Minor if we were to seek the common
English pheasant in its native home. Here
we should find mountain slopes covered
with forests of cedar, oak, walnut, cypress, and
many trees which we do not know at all; and
even the trees we do know would look strange to
us because vines with luxurious foliage and brilliant
flowers would be clambering over them. From these
wooded slopes we might see below us the fertile
valleys where villages were nestled among orange,
lemon, peach and quince trees.
In such natural surroundings as these, the pheas-
ant needs to be a brilliant and beautiful bird to fit
its environment. Its head and neck of peacock-blue,
its scarlet cheeks, and orange and coppery plumage,
matches the foliage under which it hides during the
day. The beauty of this pheasant was appreciated
early, for it has been bred in domestication at least
1600 years. The Romans are said to have taken
these birds with them during their invasion and con-
quest of England, and there established them in the
English forests. In southern Europe this pheas-
ant takes care of itself very well ; but in northern
Europe and England it needs care and feeding in
the winter.
In the wild state, the birds live separately except
during the breeding season. Then the father bird,
very proud of his beautiful feathers, wins by his beau-
ty several wives, and with them forms a band for
194
Pheasants Birds
ofEense and defense. They occupy a certain territory
upon which no other pheasants are allowed to intrude.
The cock pheasant is a fierce fighter, and by his cun-
ning tactics can defeat a bird much larger than him-
self. When fighting with a rooster, for instance, he
will fight fiercely for a few moments, then fly up into
a tree and take a little rest, and then dash down
again upon his bewildered adversary.
In a wild state the pheasant mother makes her
rude nest of leaves and grass upon the ground, and
there lays about a dozen eggs, which are olive brown
in color. She is a patient sitter, and vigilant in pro-
tecting her nest ; but when domesticated she is likely
to shirk her responsibilities, and usually the eggs are
hatched by hens, especially by the motherly little
Bantams.
The wild pheasants roost in trees nights, and hide
in the under-brush during the daytime, coming
forth into the fields in the evening to feed. Their
food consists largely of insects, grain, seeds, acorns
and fresh herbage, like young clover. These birds
only take fiight when hard-pressed.
Although the pheasant, described above, was the
original species introduced into Europe, another
species has been interbred with it, until it is difficult
to secure a pure blooded English bird.
This is another popular pheasant, the Ring-neck
species, which is a native of China, and Eastern
Siberia and has been bred there in captivity for cen-
turies. It resembles the English bird, except that it
has a white ring encircling the neck. The Ring-neck
pheasant was brought into Oregon about thirty years
ago, and was strongly protected for ten years; it has
now become thoroughly established there.
195
Bit ds Pheasants
The bird which we call the English pheasant,
which the National Government and several of our
States have introduced into America, is a bird of the
mixed English and Ring-necked species. It has now
become established in Massachusetts, Ohio, Indiana,
Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Pennsyl-
vania and Kansas.
There are some beautiful species of pheasants,
fitted for life in an aviary, although they may not be
trusted to look after themselves. The best of these
for a beginner are the Golden and Silver pheasants.
The cocks of the Golden pheasants have a luxuriant
crest, their colors are brilliant and dull yellow above
and scarlet below. The Silver pheasant is well-
named, for the feathers of its back are white striped
with black; its crest, throat and under parts are
piirplish black. The young of both of these species
are hardy and easily reared.
Mr. Homer Davenport had 38 species of pheasants
which he succeeded in keeping successfully on his
New Jersey farm. Many of them were the Reeves
species, which is a native of the mountains of China.
The Reeves cocks are rich yellow and black in color,
and often measure seven feet from beak to tip of tail.
The most wonderful of all the pheasants is prob-
ably the famed Argus species from the Malay Penin-
sula and Sumatra ; the cock has the secondary quills
in the wings developed immensely, even to two feet
in length; each one of these is striped and spotted
in leopard pattern, with as many as seventeen eye-
spots along the outside of the quill. When the
wings are closed the eye-spots do not show. Mr.
Davenport noted that when this bird goes wooing
he elevates his wonderful wings and spreads them
wide, Kke a great fan, in front of his lady-love,
196
". y-"...w*--'i.; — 'in(. thI', in-(.i '
Fl-o;« LoinUry Life lu Ah
A TREE FROG
The Tree- Frog Am phibian s
given a good meal once a week. They will take bits
of liver from forceps if it is wiggled in their faces and
some learn to take it as soon as offered.
REFERENCES
Description of habits, The Frog Book, Mary Dickerson.
"From River Ooze to Tree-top," Wild Life Near Home,
D. L. Sharp.
"Early Voices of Spring," Familiar Life in Field and
Forest, F. S. Mathews.
"Animals that Set Traps," and "A Turncoat of the Woods,"
Wit of the Wild, Ernest Ingersoll.
THE SPRING PEEPERS
A thousand tints of living green
O'er hill and dale are flung;
Vague, verdant mists thread purple woods
With shadbush banners hung.
The still pools in the meadow-lands
Reflect the heaven's own hue.
Where lark songs, soft and lonely,
Float upwards to the blue.
There wells up from the sodden swamp
The peepers' chorus strong.
An orchestra of froglet throats.
Like bubbles filled with song,
Which brings sweet comfort to the hearts
That found the winter long ;
For Hylas' music to the Spring
Forever must belong.
255
SALAMANDEKS AND NEWTS
SALAMANDER makes an unexpectedly in-
teresting pet, for it seems to have a better
memory than most of its near relatives.
Mr. Deckert, of the New York Zoological
Gardens showed me with pride a cage of
salamanders, which as soon as he tapped the cover
immediately lifted up their heads in a most expectant
manner awaiting their food ; and Dr. Samuel Henshaw
writes: "Among my pets, some large spotted sala-
manders are my especial favorites, {Ambly stoma
pimctatum) some of which I have had even longer
than the Hylas. They recognize the approach to
their home, and poke their heads out of the sphagnum
and take fotix or five meal worms from the forceps as
naturally as a dog takes its piece of meat."
Various salamanders may be kept in aquaria or
moss gardens, but the most charming of them all is
the little orange-colored creature that we find sprawl-
ing across woodland paths after summer showers.
These do not rain down, but they are obliged to do
their traveling when the ground is wet, otherwise
they would dry up and die. Thus, these newts make
a practice of never going out except when it rains.
The gay little creature {Diamyctylus viridescens) has
an orange body, ornamented with Vermillion dots
along each side, each dot surrounded with tiny black
specks; black specks are also peppered along its
sides. Its greatest beauty lies in its eyes, which are
black, with elongated pupil, and surrounded with a
golden shining iris. It has no eyelids , but the eyes can
be pulled back into the head, completely out of sight.
256
I'llOlO bv I'lTH.
NICWTS S\\'IMMIX^^y)