^^.twizr. f> 7ff'^^^*'*7^i'^^'*%±;; i U--)>rA 'fW: ''tilWf&P^\^it t-^^', CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY FROM A FUND RECEIVED BY BEQUEST OF WILLARD FISKE 1831-1904 FIRST LIBRARIAN OF THIS UNIVERSITY : I868-I883 CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 3 1924 104 730 357 \^' 'Ms ^/ '^ Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924104730357 T^he L.tfe and Habits of WILD ANIMALS ILLUSTRATED BY DESIGNS BY JOSEPH M/OLF ENGRA VED BY J. W. & EDWARD WHYMPER. WITH DESCRIPTIVE LETTER-PRESS BY DANIEL GIRAUD ELLIOT, F.L.S., F.Z.S. LONDON: ALEXANDER MACMILLAN & CO., 1874. ALL RIGHTS ARE RESERVED. LONDON; PRINTED BY EDWARD WHYMPER, 1873. PREFACE. R. Joseph Wolf — to whose ability and friendship I am indebted for the twenty illustrations which appear in this volume — was born in Rhenish Prussia, on the left bank of the Rhine, not far from Coblenz. As a youth he was passionately fond of observing and drawing Wild Animals, and loved to prowl over the hills, or amongst the woods, in search of objects for study. His early efforts, like those of many artists who have risen high in their profession, were not fully appreciated, and he attained manhood without meeting with a patron. At length Professor Schlegel, of the Leyden Museum, who was about to publish a large work on Falconry, saw some of Mr. Wolf's drawings, and, recognizing their merit, at once engaged him to illustrate his book. Through this work Wolf became known in England, and, in 1847, was invited to come over to make some illustrations for Gray's " Genera of Birds,'' which work was then in course of publication. At that time, however, he was engaged in painting at the Antwerp Academy, and felt little inclined to accept the offer; but in the following year, when the Continent was convulsed by Revolution, and Art prospects were gloomy, he came over to London, and has remained there ever since, except when travelling for the purposes of study. During these twenty-five years Mr. Wolf has been a diligent observer at the Zoological Gardens, has executed many drawings for the Zoological Society, and has steadily increased his reputation. His aid has been continually sought for book-illustrations, and a large part of the success which has attended the publications of some of our most distinguished travellers has been due to his contributions. Scientific naturalists in this country, as well as on the Continent and in America, consider that his power of delineating specific characters is simply unrivalled. PREFACE. As a painter, Mr. Wolf is highly-esteemed amongst artists, but his works are seldom exhibited, as they generally pass directly from his studio into the hands of the best judges and largest collectors in the kingdom. Upon this account he is, as a painter, not so generally known as many artists of less eminence ; but the solidity of the position which he has attained is sufficiently evidenced by the eagerness with which his pictures are secured for the most princely collections in the country, and his success is the more remarkable since he owes nothing to notoriety. When I first had the pleasure of looking over Mr. Wolf's portfolios, I was as much astonished and delighted by the originality of his conceptions, as by the profound knowledge which was displayed in his studies of almost every branch of animal life ; and but a short time elapsed before I endeavoured to induce him to execute a series of designs which should give some idea of the wealth of his stores and of the range of his pencil. At first he could not be persuaded to undertake the task, from fear that the minuteness of the work would prove injurious to his sight ; but eventually his reluctance was overcome, and he consented to make the series of designs which is presented in this volume. Various engagements and occupations have hindered the progress of the engravings, and from this reason nearly seven years have elapsed since the last of the drawings was placed in my hands. Mr. Daniel G. Elliot, the author of the accompanying, descriptive letter- press, is a citizen of the United States, and is well-known amongst naturalists from his superb Monographs of the Pheasants and of the Birds of Paradise, and by other works. A traveller of wide experience, he has enjoyed excellent opportunities for studying Wild Animals in their haunts. Although well capable of treating his subjects in a far more exhaustive manner, or from a scientific point of view, he has borne in mind that the book is intended for the General Public, and not for a class, and has regulated his pen accordingly. This volume contains the last series of illustrations which will be drawn by Mr. Wolf either upon wood or upon stone, and on this account has an especial claim to the attention of all those who are interested in Natural History. EDWARD WHYMPER. CONTENTS. 1. WHO COMES HERE? PAGE i 2. A HAIR-BREADTH ESCAPE „ 5 3. THE STRUGGLE ,, 9 4. BRUIN AT BAY. ■, ■ • ,, 14 5. THE ISLAND SANCTUARY . . ,, 18 6. AT CLOSE QUARTERS ,, 21 7. STRATEGY VERSUS STRENGTH ,, 25 8. GLEANERS OF THE SEA „ 29 9. THE SIESTA ,,32 10. A TROPICAL BATHING-PLACE ,,35 11. HUNTED DOWN ,,39 12. A RACE FOR LIFE ,, 42 13. A HAPPY FAMILY ,,47 14. MATERNAL COURAGE ,, 51 15. RIVAL MONARCHS ,,54 r6. THE KING OF BEASTS ,, 57 17. THE SHADOW DANCE ,, 60 18. CATCHING A TARTAR ,, 63 19. THE AMBUSCADE 66 20. THE AVALANCHE ,,69 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 1. WHO COMES HERE? TO FACE PAGE 4 2. A HAIR-BREADTH ESCAPE ,, 8 3. THE STRUGGLE 4. BRUIN AT BAY 5. THE ISLAND SANCTUARY . . . 6. AT CLOSE QUARTERS .... 7. STRATEGY VERSUS STRENGTH 8. GLEANERS OF THE SEA . . . 9. THE SIESTA 10. A TROPICAL BATHING-PLACE 11. HUNTED DOWN 12. A RACE FOR LIFE 13. A HAPPY FAMILY 14. MATERNAL COURAGE .... 15. RIVAL MONARCHS 16. THE KING OF BEASTS .... 17. THE SHADOW DANCE 18. CATCHING A TARTAR .... 19. THE AMBUSCADE 20. THE AVALANCHE 16 18 24 28 3° 34 38 40 46 5° 52 56 58 62 64 68 70 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. WHO COMES HERE? ENSE are the forests of the African Continent. The trees stand so closely- together as to give their branches but limited room to grow, while vines of every kind twist around the trunks, and stretching across from one to the other, wrap everything in a matted network of entangled foliage. Through such obstacles man is only able to advance with difficulty, and even the animals that dwell in the seclusion of these primeval woods do not find them easy to traverse. But in the deep recesses of the thickets, where the rays of a tropical sun rarely penetrate, amid the deadly miasma that is so fatal to the European, the huge Gorilla with his family is accustomed to take up his abode. Largest of all known Apes, his appearance is repulsive in the extreme. The enormous head, joined to the huge body by a thick, short neck, the immensely lengthened arms, and the feeble, crooked legs, together with a countenance in which the lowest animal passions are forcibly portrayed, unite in forming a creature of the most outrd and forbidding appearance. But little is known of the habits of this animal as yet ; and although many stories are told of its ferocity and untameable disposi- tion, and it is said that the natives are afraid to enter the woods where it is numerous, yet we cannot but believe it will prove as harmless in character as the other large Apes are known to be. It feeds upon roots and different vegetables that it easily finds growing wild in its native woods ; and whenever molested endeavours by all the means in its power to escape from its pursuers, only 2 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. standing on the defensive when wounded, or when retreat has been made impossible. If angered, or in the act of protecting its young, the great strength possessed by the Gorilla would doubtless render it a formidable adversary. In stature, the Gorilla is considerably larger than its relative the Chimpanzee, and, so far as can be judged, from such slight knowledge as we have, it does not possess nearly as much intelligence as the latter has frequently shown. The Chimpanzee is very sociable, and most affectionate in disposition, having a strong attachment for its keeper, and exhibiting evei-y sign of uneasiness when separated from him. It is also exceedingly playful and tries every variety of tricks with any other of its kind, that may be confined in the same enclosure. Of course there is sometimes a great difference between individuals; some being cross and surly, and showing a disinclination to be handled much, although, so far as I have seen them, this character appears to be exceptional. The large Apes do not generally go in troops ; a few individuals only being found together. The old males are more savage than the females, and resist all attempts to capture them, by biting severely, and also by dealing heavy blows with their powerful arms. They move rapidly, though awkwardly over the ground, going on all fours, and walking on the knuckles of their front hands, the hind ones being open and placed flat down like a foot. The females carry their young upon their backs, or else clinging to their Tareasts ; their long fur enabling the little ones to hold on with a most tenacious grip, so as to make it almost impossible to tear them away even after the dam has been killed. But it is upon the trees that the Apes appear to the greatest advantage, their long powerful arms enabling them to reach considerable distances, and they swing themselves from branch to branch with such easy strength and rapidity that it is impossible for a man to keep up with them in the forest. They pass the night in the trees ; and several species are in the habit, after selecting a fork in the highest part near the trunk, of breaking off good-sized branches, and by laying them across each other in every direction, constructing a rude kind of nest, in which they remain until dawn. Usually they fashion one of these every evening, not returning to any particular spot after roaming about all day, but pass the night wherever they happen to be. The large Apes are only met with in those districts where the forests are of great extent ; for being accustomed to pass over the trees when their tops interlace, by swinging themselves from branch to branch by means of their long arms, they could not exist in open countries or where the trees stood widely apart. When passing WHO COMES HERE? 3 along some large branch, these animals walk in a semi-erect attitude, steadying them- selves at times by placing the knuckles of the hand of one of the long arms upon the bark. When the branches of an adjoining tree are reached, they are seized with both hands, but before the animal is willing to trust himself to them he pulls with all his strength, and, satisfied that they will bear his weight, swings himself in an easy curve into the next tree, and in this way soon traverses a large extent of the forest. The grimaces of these animals, and their modes of shewing satisfaction or aversion, especially when young, are very ludicrous and amusing — being in many instances the counterpart of the actions of spoilt children. One that Wallace had when in Borneo was particularly diverting, for whenever it received a morsel peculiarly to its liking, it licked its lips, drew in its cheeks, and turned up its eyes with an expression of the most supreme satisfaction. On the other hand, if its food was not palatable, it would roll the morsel around with its tongue for a moment, and then push it out between the lips. Should the same food be con- tinued, it immediately began to scream and kick, like a baby in a passion. On being brought to the house, it seemed to be always holding its hands in the air as if desirous of grasping something, and it was greatly pleased whenever it could get hold of Wallace's beard, to which it clung so firmly that he could not free himself without assistance. In order to satisfy it, he had an artificial mother made of a piece of buffalo skin rolled up in a bundle, and hung about a foot from the floor. This appeared to suit it exactly, and it sprawled about, stretching its legs in every direction, always finding a tuft of hair to grasp. The resemblance to its mother must have been too striking, for, as it was quite a young animal, it soon began to try to suckle. The result was unfortunate, for it only got its mouth full of wool, upon which it became very much disgusted and screamed violently ; and, having on one occasion been nearly choked, its owner was obliged to take the counterfeit parent away. Apes do not have many enemies beside man, particularly those species of such large size as the Gorilla and its allies. In Borneo, where one of the largest species dwells, the Ourang-outang, Wallace states that the natives declare it is never attacked by any animal in the forest, with perhaps two rare exceptions, these being the Crocodile and the Python. The way in which he meets the former is explained as follows. When the fruits fail in the forest, he goes to the river-side to seek for 4 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. young shoots of which he is fond, or for such fruits as grow near the water. There the Crocodile attempts to seize him, but according to native testimony the Ourang- outang gets upon the reptile," beats it with its hands, tears it, and pulling open its jaws, rips up its throat and soon kills it. Should a Python or Boa-constrictor attack it, the Mias, as it is called in Borneo, seizes the serpent in his hands, bites it and kills it without difficulty. Such are the powerful though usually peaceable animals to whose family the one depicted in the illustration belongs. He is the largest Ape yet discovered, and of all the known species the Gorilla is about the only one that has never been brought alive to Europe in an adult state. The difficulty of , keeping these creatures alive when captured, has been the chief reason why they have not in common with other Apes been inmates of our menageries ; for once deprived of the fruits to which they are accustomed in their native wilds, or exposed to the colder climates of northern lands, they soon droop and die. Should anyone, therefore, be desirous of seeing this unamiable-looking creature enjoying his free life, he must go to the interior of Africa, in those regions where civilization is unknown, and where but few Europeans have ever penetrated. In the pathless tracts of those ancient woods, distant even from the primitive abodes of hardly less savage men, in company with the fierce inmates of the jungle, the Gorilla dwells surrounded by his family. Peacefully they pass the day, seeking the various fruits that in . many a brilliant cluster hang from the lofty trees, paying generally but little attention to what is passing . below them. But if any unusual sound breaks the stillness of the woods, or a strange form be seen approaching their vicinity, then the females bearing their young clinging fast to them, flee away into the still deeper recesses of the forest ; while the father and protector of the small community, swinging himself rapidly from tree to tree, tearing loose the vines that stretch across his passing form, advances towards the object of their fears, and before imitating the rest in their speedy flight, satisfies himself in regard to its presence, and then with many a hideous grimace, and short hoarse call, demands to know in impatient tone, Who comes here ? PLATE WHO COMES HERE'^ A HAIR-BREADTH ESCAPE. O members of the feathered tribes have been so closely connected with superstitious ideas and fears as the Owls, and none have ever been sub- jects of dislike with so little cause. In the olden time the call of these birds at night was considered a portent of evil, particularly if uttered near, or worse still, on any habitation. Thus Casca, speaking of the omens that preceded Caesar's death, says — " Yesterday the bird of night did sit Even at noon-day upon the market-place, Hooting and shrieking." Among the ancient Egyptians, it was customary for the Monarch to send an image of the Owl to any person whose death had been decided upon, and the un- fortunate individual was expected at once to become his own executioner. Any delay or objection from the doomed man was considered a great disgrace, not only upon himself but for all his family, and it therefore became a point of honour that the Pharoah's wi-shes should be complied with at once. It is related that on one occasion the victim having shown great reluctance to dispose of his own life was put to death by one of his parents, and so the honour of his relative was saved. Many are the accounts of sickness, and even death, having followed the sudden appearances of Owls in places where they were never known before, and the boding cry, which the bird no doubt deemed sweetest of songs, has always been 6 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. heard with fear and aversion. Yet no creature is more harmless. Happily, in these enlightened days, much of the superstition connected with these feathered creatures is disappearing, and they are regarded more in their true light of useful scavengers that destroy much vermin, and free the fields from many distructive pests, than as heralds of misfortune and woe. The early writers and poets associated our wise-looking friends with disasters of some sort, but later ones, more in keeping with the spirit of their times, have sung of them as birds of the night in harmony with other creatures. Thus Coleridge, in an opening chorus in Christabel, says — " 'Tis the middle of the night by the Castle clock, And the Owls have awakened the crowing cock. Tu-whit ! Tu-whoo ! — And hark again ! the crowing cock, How drowsily he crew." Many are the species of owls scattered over the world, from the great Grand Duke, or Eagle Owl of Europe, to the little creatures of other lands hardly larger than sparrows. Some, contrary to the generally received idea, and also contrary to the usual habits of these birds, are accustomed to seek their prey, and be much abroad, when the sun is high in the heavens ; so that we have two classes of these animals — day and night owls. The Polar regions possess their own peculiar species of this family, which is appropriately robed in pure white, and so assimilated with the snow and ice that covers all the face of the land in those cheerless districts, that it is easily able to conceal itself from its own enemies as well as to approach unseen any animal it may select for its prey. Nature is ever considerate in her dealings with all creatures, and places them in such localities as are most harmonious to their appear- ance and habits, never omitting the slightest thing that may be conducive to their comfort, happiness or protection. The great owls of more southern latitudes are usually provided with a mottled dress, and some have long tufts over the ears, which, when erected beyond the huge staring eyes, give to the bird a very comical aspect. The Owl is fond of passing the day amid the dense foliage of evergreen and other trees, and at times (if it is a large one) in the cavity of some half-decayed trunk, where it dozes away the hours of sun-light, or looks in stupid amazement upon anything that may intrude too near its place of refuge. Many a frolicksome little squirrel, leaping lightly over the bending twigs, or running up the gnarled trunk, stops for a moment, and, sitting gravely upon his haunches, with the tail curved over A HAIR-BREADTH ESCAPE. 7 his back, looks in upon the sedate and serious bird. Then, apparently not pleased with his reception, straightens himself along the tree, and expressing his displeasure by quick, sudden jerks of his feathery tail, proceeds to scold the Owl, with sharp, shrill notes, that roll along the air sounding like some tiny watchman's rattle. In a very short time, disgusted at not being able to pi'oduce any visible impression upon his stolid neighbour, with many a graceful jump he bounds away to seek a more congenial friend. The great Horned Owl of America, which is represented in Europe by the Eagle Owl or Grand Duke, is in the habit of attacking the Turkeys at night after they have gone to roost. The assault is very cleverly avoided in the following manner. Although the Owl's approach is almost noiseless, still the Turkey is rarely taken unawares, and no sooner is the bird of night perceived than, uttering a warning note to his companions, the individual selected by the Owl for his prey drops his head, spreads his tail and throws it forward over his back. Thus the Owl in his swoop meets with nothing to grasp, save a tail-feather or two, and is foiled in his attempt. As soon as the Owl has passed, the Turkeys drop to the ground, and seek other lodgings for the remainder of the night. Owls do not usually stray any great distance from the place in which they were born, provided they are able to obtain a sufficiency of food ; nor do they suffer from the severity of the winter, the thick coat of feathers with which they are clothed being an ample protection from the' storms and piercing blasts of that season. Although so quiet and dull during the day, they are in reality very active birds ; and no sooner do the shades of night commence to fall, than they begin to bestir them- selves for the evening's flight. Their wings, composed of the softest downy feathers imaginable, bear them along without a sound, and they pass before the eye, before vanishing again into the surrounding gloom, like phantom sprites that reveal their curious shape for but a single moment. Sharp-eyed too is the owl, and those great organs of sight, that gaze with a half-blinded stare unable to bear the sun- light, are bright and sparkling in the night-time, piercing the darkness, and making clear every object. Nothing, at such a time, escapes the view of the monkish-bird, as he roams alone through the moonlit aisles of the leafy woods, uttering at intervals his discordant cry, that echoes like some horrible, mocking laugh through the silent glade. At times he leaves his leafy haunts and sails over the open plain, followed by his dark shadows that mimic his every movement. With the fox he disputes 8 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. the prey, and his noiseless flight is frequently more than a match for his keen- scented adversary who, had he but the opportunity, would not hesitate to make a meal of the owl himself A few little rabbits are playing upon the glistening snow, tossing it in many a feathery flake into the air, as they gambol over its pure surface. No enemy appears near, and with increasing boldness they roam away from the mouths of their under- ground homes. Slowly sailing over the white fields, on noiseless pinions, the great bird of the night is seeking his evening's meal. Many are the stoops and curves he makes, as he investigates, in his progress, the different objects that catch his eye, to learn if they are suitable for his purpose. Over the frozen plants, each bearing on its few remaining stems a load of the fleecy snow, he comes, straightly steering towards the play-ground of the little quadrupeds, who are all unconscious of the vicinity of their foe. Like a swift cloud, his shadow falls upon them, and the affrighted rabbits dash towards their homes beneath the low bank. But quick as is their speed, still more rapid is their pursuer's flight, and poor bunny is seized by the fur, with the hooked claw. Still he struggles on, a favouring branch at the very mouth of the burrow intervenes, and as his terrified companion leaps over his body to gain the desired refuge,. uttering a shrill cry of fear, the frightened little creature draws the bird's leg against the branch, frees himself from the grasp of the sharp talons, and disappears in the mouth of his wished-for haven., A prowling fox which, before the bird's advent, had been patiently waiting a favourable moment for a spring, looks suddenly up from his hiding place, on hearing the rabbits's piercing scream, just in time to witness its hair-breadth escape. PLATE A HAIR-BR[ADTH ESCAPE, THE STRUGGLE. HE jungles of Asia, like the forests of tropical America, afford refuge to innumerable varieties of animal and insect life; while their swamps and rivers are tenanted by different kinds of hideous reptiles, which concealed by the waters, or by the overhanging foliage of the banks, patiently lie in wait for the approach of any creature, which, unsuspecting the vicinity of dangerous foes, comes to quench its thirst in the cooling stream. Among the Ferae, or wild beasts of the Cat tribe, inhabiting these regions the most powerful and dangerous is unquestionably the Tiger, the near relative of the Jaguar of South America. Like this last, he also is possessed of a lovely skin, com- bining rich colours of most opposite hues, but constituting an attractive robe of elegant design. His character, however, is unfortunately not equal to his appearance, for like all the species of this family he is crafty, cruel, treacherous and ferocious ; and when impelled by the pangs of hunger, or desire of revenge, no animal that exists is more terrible in his attack, or is less likely to be successfully resisted. When enraged, even the gigantic elephant is not feared, but is sprung upon with as little hesitation as if it was an ox or antelope, although, in such an encounter, the tiger frequently gets worsted ; for, if not transfixed by the great tusks, he is generally seized by the elephant's trunk to be hurled under foot and trampled to death, the tiger's sharp teeth and claws being of little avail against the tough, thick hide of its huge adversary. lo WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. Instances are numerous, however, of this terrible beast having been tamed, and of its exhibiting considerable affection towards its master ; but even when ac- customed to the restraints of captivity, and to be fondled by those with whom it lives, its savage nature may at any moment be aroused, and with the quickness of light it will turn upon and rend the person, whose kind attention a moment before it might have been acknowledging, with loud-breathed purrs of satisfaction. Such an occurrence is recorded, which shows the great danger of indulging in the possession of pets of this kind, a fatal termination probably being only averted by the presence of mind exhibited by its owner. A gentleman in India brought up an animal of this species which he had obtained when but only a few weeks old. It was accustomed to follow him about like a dog, and allowed him to play with it and fondle it at all times, never exhibiting any trace of the fierceness which its parentage might naturally have allowed one to suppose it possessed. One day the gentleman was sitting upon his verandah reading, and the tiger as usual was lying by the side of his chair. Suddenly his atten- tion was drawn from his book by feeling the animal lick his hand which he had allowed to drop over the arm of the chair, uttering at the same time low and threatening growls. Looking down, he perceived his hand was covered with blood, the taste of which had aroused all the latent ferocity of the brute. Without attempting to change his position, the gentleman called a servant to get a gun, which fortunately was loaded and near by, and ordered him to shoot the animal on the spot. This was done, and its owner only thus escaped from a violent attack, for the flashing eyes, and the tail rapidly lashing his sides in angry jerks, indicated that the animal's natural passions were fast obtaining possession of him. The Tiger is widely distributed over almost the whole of Asia. A few are found in Turkish Georgia, and the species is numerous in the Elburz mountains, south of the Caspian. In Bokhara, on the banks of the Irtisch, and also in the Altai regions, as well as in Amur-land they are not uncommon. It is found in China, and of course in India south of the Himalayas; but not in Ceylon, although it is an inhabitant of the Malayan Peninsula, and of some of the great islands of the Archipelago. The Tigers obtained in northern latitudes, are remarkable for the length and density of their fur. This peculiarity has also been observed among Leopards from similar localities. It cannot, however, be considered as in any way denoting a specific value. The natural prey of this animal in India, is cattle, deer, and the wild hog. THE STRUGGLE. ii Sometimes the latter offers so successful a resistance that the tiger himself is over- come and slain ; as individuals have been found ripped up, evidently by the sharp tusks of the boar, which are used, as is well known, by that animal when driven to extremity with as fatal an effect, and with far greater dexterity, than a man can handle a knife in his own defence. The peacock is also much sought after by the tiger, and it is generally considered that any large flock of these birds indicates the presence of their feline admirer, who follows them stealthily, and springs upon them, whenever an opportunity offers. By nature the tiger is cowardly, and unless wounded retreats from attack, even after having seized upon its prey. A case is reported of a herd-boy in India, who when pounced upon by one of these animals was saved by the buffaloes which he was attending. They charged the tiger in a body and compelled him to take to an ignominious flight, leaving the lad in the midst of his hard-headed protectors. When his usual supply of food is scarce, it is stated that the tiger will feed on frogs or almost anything that comes in his way, and Sir Walter Elliot relates that one was killed in the province of Kandleish, in a state of extreme emaciation from a porcupine's quill that had passed through its gullet, and prevented his swallowing, and which had probably been planted there in his attempts to make one of these animals his prey. At times also it will feed upon carrion. A celebrated sportsman records that once when having killed a tigress, on returning to his tent he sent a man with a pad-elephant to bring it home. The messenger came back and stated that on his arrival he found her alive. They accordingly went out next morning to the spot, and discovered that she had been dragged into a ravine, and had been half devoured by another tiger. They found this last one close by, and killed him also. It would thus seem that at times cannibalism may be added to the other fine qualities of this handsome beast. Although the tiger is possessed of great strength, and moves through the thickets of the jungle with the lithe, noiseless action characteristic of all the cats (coming suddenly upon his prey, which unaware of the subtle approach of its cunning foe may be resting in fancied security), yet at times he too falls a victim to an adversary as cruel and remorseless as himself Many of the rivers and lakes in the hot lands where this animal dwells fairly swarm with crocodiles. Those huge, repulsive reptiles are frequently seen stretched at full length upon some sand-bar sleeping in the rays of the mid-day sun ; or else submerged in the water, 12 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. every portion of them hidden save the eyes and nostrils (which are elevated above the plane of the face), remaining motionless near the shore, waiting to seize upon any animal that may approach the stream. When lying on the bank, they can hardly be distinguished from it, or, if seen, appear at a little distance like dead trunks of some fallen trees. They have two modes of attack. One is if they can get sufficiently near their prey, to seize it in their terrible jaws and drag it to the bottom of the river. Another and often practised method is to watch close to the bank, and when an animal draws near to the water suddenly to sweep it into the stream by a rapid and powerful blow of the tail (which can be wielded with even greater dexterity than a coachman's whip), and having thus brought the victim within reach of the mouth, drag, it beneath the surface, and speedily devour it. Admirably is this reptile formed for the life it is destined to live. Sheathed in scaly armour composed of plates of various sizes, which are joined together by what may be designated as fleshy hinges, and having besides as weapons of attack and defence the long rows of sharp-pointed teeth fitting together like those of a gin, and the lengthened, graduated, flexible tail, with which it can give a blow sufficient to stun any animal, the crocodile is the most formidable and dreaded reptile that inhabits the waters. The small, green eyes, glassy . and utterly devoid of expression, are placed in a prominence on the highest part of the head, which enables the creature to submerge Its body entirely, and yet leave its organs of visions above the surface. Such is the repulsive looking ob- ject that the animals of torrid countries have most to dread. Although its move- ments are usually slow, and made apparently after much deliberation, it can travel for a short distance upon the land with great speed, and I have often seen them dart from where they had been sleeping into the water, so rapidly as to make it difficult to follow them with the eye. Having now given a cursory review of the two creatures depicted in our illustration, we will witness the mode by which they became engaged in the tremendous struggle which will end only in the death of one of them. The sun is just rising, flooding the eastern sky with golden light, and rousing the feathered inhabitants of the forests from their slumbers. Shaking the dew, that lies in diamond drops, from off their brilliant plumage, they awake the echo of the woods with their morning songs of praise; whilst sated with the results of his nightly foray, and in the company of his mate, the jungle's fierce monarch turns towards the stream to quench his thirst, before seeking a lair in which to dream away the unwelcome day. THE STRUGGLE THE STRUGGLE. 13 Noiselessly they thread the well-known thickets, unmindful now of the many active forms of joyous life around them. The playful monkey swings his supple body to the branch above, and, unregarded, chatters forth his mingled rage and fear at the passing figure of his most dreaded foe. The stream is reached, and, more cautious than her lord, the tigress stops to take a look beyond the leafy screen ; but he steps at once into the water and commences to lap it into his mouth. Lying close to the shore, its eyes with their stony glare alone exposed, a crocodile has lain, perhaps for hours, patiently waiting for such an opportunity as now presents itself With an im- perceptible movement, that gives not the slightest ripple to the surface, the scaly legs are drawn towards the body, and as the tiger stoops again to the water, with a rush so rapid as to defy the eye to follow it, the powerful reptile seizes the unfortu- nate animal's head in its armed jaws. With a half-stifled roar of rage and surprise, the tiger endeavours to withdraw himself from the cruel grasp, while his foe, lashing the waters into foam, strives to drag him into the stream, unheeding the heavy blows the tiger deals it with its paw, the sharp claws of which however glance harmlessly from off the mailed-covering of the reptile's head. Step by step the animal is dragged away from the bank, struggling against his horrible, fate with the energy of despair ; but, as the water deepens, his power of resistance grows feebler, while the crocodile at home in his native element, redoubles its exertions, and forcing the tiger's head beneath the stream, by a few quickly repeated, powerful efforts disappears with its prey to the bottom of the river. — A few fast-widening circles spreading towards the opposing banks — a few bubbles brilliant in rainbow hues, floating with the tide, and perhaps an occasional, ominous red spot rising to the surface, are the sole remaining witnesses of the terrible, deadly struggle that had just terminated. BRUIN AT BAY, MONG the Plantigrades, or quadrupeds that walk upon the sole of the foot, the Bear is one of the most powerful of all those living at the present time. When unmolested, he is an inoffensive animal, and busies himself chiefly with prowling about the forest, seeking such berries and fruits as he particularly likes. Although possessed of great strength and tenacity of life he shuns all con- flict, and, when approached by man, prefers rather to fly, if escape be possible, than to stand his ground and to defend himself During the summer he becomes very fat, so that he is able to live through severe winters without food. As the first snows warn him of the approach of the inclement season, he looks out for a suit- able lair, either in the hollow of some large, decayed tree, or in a cave hidden among the rocks. In one of these he takes up his abode, and prepares to sleep away the cheerless months. If it is a tree, in which he has decided to hibernate, he climbs up to the mouth of the cavity, and then backs down into it until the bottom is reached, where he rolls himself up into a furry ball, and, if undisturbed, does not emerge again until the warm breath of spring has, with gaily coloured and sweet-scented blossoms, covered all the land. Every country of the northern portions of the globe, possesses a representa- tive of the Family of these sharp-clawed animals. In the frozen Polar regions, the great White Bear roams over the ice-fields and snow-clad plains of the dreary and inhospitable land, monarch of its animal world, and disputes with the diminutive BRUIN AT BAY. 15 Esquimaux for the spoil that may occasionally be met with. The northern parts of the American Continent, also, contain the fierce Grizzly (the most formidable of all these animals), as well as the Black Bear, together with some varieties of the same species. Asia, Africa, Japan, the Islands of the Indian Archipelago, Africa and South America can all send representatives, so that the great family of the Ursidae is one possessed of the widest distribution. The great strength of the Grizzly Bear is attested by Sir John Richardson, who relates the following. A party on the Saskatchewan river were sitting by a fire, busily preparing their supper, when suddenly a large Grizzly sprang over the canoe, that lay behind them, seized one of the men by the shoulder and carried him off. The others fled with the exception of one man, who grasped his gun and followed the animal. He called to his comrade that he was afraid to fire, lest he should hit him ; but the latter entreated him to do so at once, as he was being squeezed to death. He thereupon fired at the animal, which immediately dropped the man that he held, and pursued the new aggressor. The Bear, however, was unable to catch him, and after a fruitless pursuit retired into a thicket, where it was supposed to have died ; but none of the party had courage enough to go and see. The rescued man had his arm fractured and was otherwise severely hurt, but ultimately recovered. At times the Bear seems to have a great amount of inquisitiveness, or at least a desire to investigate closely any object that, by the medium of his nose, has filled him with pleasurable emotions. When thus engaged on a voyage of discovery, he is frequently led into difficulties that at other periods he would carefully avoid. I remember an instance, when his desire to have a share in some meat was as disagreeable to the persons present, as it was difficult to get him to leave the vicinity. A moose had recently been killed upon the open ground, in the interior of Nova Scotia, and, after returning to the camp for dinner, the hunters went back to cut up the animal, leaving their rifles behind them, not supposing that there would be any need of the weapons. The ground where the Moose was lying was slightly hilly, covered thickly with rock and loose stones, and entirely destitute of trees. When half through their task, the men perceived the grey nose of a Black Bear suddenly appear on the crest of a hill but a short distance away. This im- portant member was quickly followed by the rest of the animal, which proved to be very large, and evidently a patriarch among his fellows, as he was followed by 1 6 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. no less than four others of all sizes, that came waddling over the hill in the wake of their leader. After descending a short distance, they all sat down on their haunches, and by sundry sniffs and somewhat ludicrous twists of their necks pro- ceeded to reconnoitre the ground before them. Their noses told them truly that a savory banquet was lying in front of them, but then there were also sundry unwel- come bipeds present, that the shaggy group could not exactly make out to their satis- faction. . So to look better into the matter, the Patriaixh, accompanied by his family, shuffled a little nearer. Never were the absence of all offensive weapons more regretted, than were the rifles lying useless in the camp, by the . hunters gathered around the Moose. They began by shouting at the Bears (which kept advancing gradually), in the hope of intimidating them by the sound of the human voice. But this was at first of no avail, and it appeared as though the dead deer would have to be left to the mercies of the advancing quadrupeds ; and it was only when volleys of stones were added to their shouting, and many a severe blow had been received by the Bears, that the shaggy brutes at last deemed it best to widen the distance between themselves and their inhospitable neighbours. Even when' moving slowly away they continually turned about to have one more look, and as long as he was in sight, the grey-nosed Patriarch kept halting as though debating with himself whether he was not making an ignominious retreat, and unnecessarily leaving a goodly meal behind him. The Moose was soon broken up after the departure of these unexpected visitors, and little of it left for them, should they return again, save the bones and entrails, which however would have consoled them for the loss of the more savory portions. As a general rule the Bear is a slow moving animal, and shuffles awkwardly along, advancing both legs on the same side at a time, and is never known to trot. He can, on emergencies, make very rapid progress ; and when endeavouring to escape, or when aroused to wrath, a good horse cannot outstrip him in speed for a short distance. Usually peaceable in disposition, the Bear does not often molest other animals of the forest, and is not interfered with by them. The following incident will shew, however, that he does sometimes get himself into serious difficulty. A hunter after pursuing his game for the greater part of a day, in a wild district of North America, wearied with his long journey, on arriving at a small lake, lying like a sheet of silver in the midst of its forest setting, laid himself down upon the shore to rest. He had not remained long, when suddenly the silence of the PLA^E BRUIN AT BAY. BRUIN AT BAY. 17 woods was broken by angry howlings, that grew louder and louder, as if some enraged animals were approaching the water. All at once, from a bank but a short distance off, a bear shuffled out of the bushes on to the shore, and, evidently in great tribulation, looked around as if seeking an outlet for escape, more congenial to it than the deep waters of the lake. Almost immediately it was followed by a large panther, which with fearful screams and outstretched claws, sprang upon the back of its shaggy foe, and the conflict that ensued was fearful to witness. Only a portion of their bodies could be seen at a time, so rapid were the evolutions of the com- batants, and from the midst of the whirling mass of fur, the most hideous growling and snarling continually issued. Soon the struggle became less violent and the Bear fell dead, torn almost to pieces by its savage adversary ; while the Cougar, after quenching its thirst in the lake, began to move away into the woods, when the hunter by a well-directed shot from his rifle laid it lifeless. It proved to be a female, and the only explanation of so strange an occurrence as two animals so opposite in habits engaging in conflict is that the panther, which evidently was a mother, might possibly have been robbed of its young, and her maternal instinct at once urged her to take revenge upon the Bear for the injury he had done. The illustration that accompanies this article is founded upon an event which happened to a gentleman in Norway, who started out one winter morning with some companions in pursuit of Bear, accompanied by a number of dogs of all degrees. They soon came upon the winter quarters of a large animal, and after repeated efforts Bruin was dislodged from his warm berth and wounded. Forced to defend himself, he soon became the aggressor, and rushing upon the narrator of the occurrence, struck him down, and lay upon him. Fortunately the snow was deep, and, knowing his only chance was to lie perfectly still, the gentleman buried himself as much as possible in the snow and feigned to be dead. The Bear was very old, and his teeth were worn down so close to the gums, that they continually slipped off, and did no injury when he seized the hunter's head in his mouth. Whilst this was going on, the Bear was attacked by the dogs, which set upon him from all sides, and prevented him from attending to the man beneath him. While thus engaged the other hunters arrived upon the scene, and, quickly despatching the animal, freed their companion from his disagreeable and perilous position, and enabled him to arise uninjured, even from the embraces of Bruin at Bay. THE ISLAND SANCTUARY, lone rock in the midst of the waters of a highland loch, has for many years been the resort of the peaceful birds, one of whom we now see winging his way homeward, bearing in its talons a morning's meal to its hungry young. Season after season has that unapproachable cliff afforded the necessary protection to the inoffensive Hawks, whilst hatching and rearing their young ; and the broad space upon its summit is nearly covered by the nest, which has grown year by year until it has reached enormous proportions. No human foot has ever scaled that height, no energetic egg-collector ever taken the speckled treasures from that island home, and from, their secure refuge the young have watched their parents depart upon their fishing excursions, and return again,-with labored flight, bearing the fruits of their industry with them. , It is a beautiful sight to witness the fish-hawk pursuing his finny prey. Behold with what grace he leaves his rocky sanctuary, launching himself into the air upon his broad wings, and circling with easy, powerful sweeps, around and above. his impregnable home. Satisfied that all is well, he wends his way towards the shores of the loch, where the water is less deep, and where his keen eye can perceive the objects of his search swimming at but a little depth below the surface. Slowly he proceeds, scanning closely all that passes beneath ; suddenly he checks his course and with quickly repeated flappings of his wings, holds himself stationary for a moment, then falls like a dart, and disappears in a cloud of spray. Soon PLATE THE ISLAND SANCTUARY, THE ISLAND SANCTUARY. 19 however he emerges,- rising heavily, for his talons grasp firmly a large fish (which IS held lengthwise with his body, never across), and, after gaining a slight eleva- tion above the water, he shakes his plumage free from the glittering drops that still cling to it, much as a dog would on leaving the water, and wings his way home- ward, announcing his success by shrill oft- repeated cries. The young hear the welcome notes, and with many hisses, expressive of their gratification at the coming feast, drag their half-fledged bodies to the edge of the nest, and with outstretched necks and raised wings impatiently await the approaching parent bird. As he rises slowly to the height of the nest, he makes one half-circle to see that all is right, and then alights with his burden, which is speedily torn to pieces by the sharp beaks of the hungry brood. Although possessed of very powerful talons, and capable of inflicting severe wounds, the Fish-hawk is one of the most peaceable and inoffensive of birds, and is never known to assume the aggressive, but prefers to betake himself away from, rather than to become a participant in, any strife. It is a native of almost every part of the world. Along the sea-board of North America, and occasionally upon some of the inland lakes, it is frequently seen. The colder regions of Greenland, too, are visited by the Fish-hawk, and in the autumn of 1872, Mr. Edward Whymper, whilst exploring that still little known land, obtained a fine example. It must, however, but rarely wing its way so far to the north, for Mr. Whymper's specimen is the only one yet known to have been procured in that country. As may be supposed, the islands of the Antilles are often visited by the Osprey when leaving the northern latitudes on the approach of winter. In Great Britain it is still met with, though not nearly so often as formerly, while on the Continent of Europe it is a familiar bird. In the far-off I'egions of Australia, the Islands of the Indian Archi- pelago, and in India, the Osprey is very common ; but wherever it is found. It is apparently always an inoffensive bird, bent only on minding its own affairs, and disinclined to interfere with those of its neighbours. About five or six species are recognized among naturalists. In America he has a formidable enemy in the powerful Bald Eagle, which often robs him of the fish he may succeed in catching. The way in which this is accomplished Is very exciting to witness, and Is effected in the following manner. As the Hawk proceeds towards his chosen haunt to fish, the Eagle perched upon some lofty tree watches him with eager gaze, never losing sight of his 20 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. destined victim for a moment. As the Osprey rises from the successful plunge, and utters his triumphant, cry, the Eagle stoops his body, and with wings half- opened sways upon his perch. Then, as the Hawk gains a moderate height, with a shrill scream, he launches himself forth in pursuit. Too well does the unfortunate Osprey know whence that cry proceeds, and immediately he commences to rise in the air in wide circles, the Eagle doing the same, each striving to get above the other. Beautiful are their evolutions as with easy, graceful sweeps they mount towards the heavens. Soon however the weight of the fish begins to tell upon the Hawk, which thus encumbered rises less rapidly than his powerful long-winged adversary. As he gains the ascendancy, the Eagle poises himself for a moment, and stoops down upon the Hawk, who thus placed upon his defence drops the fish to which he had so persistently clung. Steadying himself for an instant as if to make sure of his aim, the bold robber of the air darts down with lightning speed, seizes the fish before it reaches the water, and with many a triumphant scream bears his ill-gotten booty to the nearest tree to devour it at his leisure ; while the unfortunate Osprey betakes himself to other grounds to seek, free from molesta- tion, another supper to replace the one he has just lost. But in the quiet lake depicted in' our illustration there are no swift-winged depredators to rule over the gentle birds, who pursue the callings of their peaceful natures undisturbed ; and year after year the young start on their life-journey from the secure fastnesses of that lonely rock, which has been to them indeed an Island Sanctuary. AT CLOSE QUARTERS. HERE is no inhabitant of the forest which, when aroused, exhibits a more surly and vindictive temper than an old Wild Boar. In common with the rest of his tribe, he shows but little sagacity, and rushes upon any ob- ject that has excited his ire. In most instances, when his antagonists are other wild creatures, his thick hide and great strength enable him to pass through a con- flict in safety. The long white tusks which arm his under-jaws are kept sharp as razors by constant friction against the upper ones, and deadly are the blows he is able to deliver with them, striking with a sure aim and with great rapidity. This savage animal has many representatives throughout the world, some of which are possessed of the most hideous physiognomies it is possible to con- ceive, their faces being covered with warts and excrescences, and having great teeth springing outwards and upwards, which fearfully distort mouths that never at any time could lay the slightest claim to a particle of beauty. Such is the so-called Wart Hog of Africa, which among this class of animals must ever bear away the palm for his repulsive appearance. In some of the islands of the Indian Archipelago, is found a pig called by the natives the Babi-rusa, or pig-deer, on account of the singular and eccentric form of the tusks that spring from the upper jaw. These are exceedingly long and very sharp, and instead of growing outwards, as is usual with these appendages in this class of creatures, they shoot right upwards out of separate bony sockets, piercing through the skin on either side of the nose, and then 2 2 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. curve backwards over the eyes, reaching a length in very old individuals of some ten inches. The use of these extraordinary teeth is unknown, as they would appear to be of no value either for the purposes of offence or defence, and must be at times much in the way of their owner's movements. The Babi-rusa, although resembling a pig in its general appearance, does not dig and root up the ground, as is the common habit with all its relatives, but lives chiefly on fallen fruits, that it meets with in the dense forests it inhabits. Although, as a rule, the colour of the wild pigs is black or brown, there are instances when the hue of the coat is not without beauty. Thus the Red River Hog of Africa has long tufts to its ears, which are pointed and slender, and the fur is a rich reddish-brown, with the base of the hairs greyish-white ; and this animal has a rather gay appearance when seen among his more sombre-looking brethren. It is a popular belief that pigs are never injured by the poison of snakes ; and it is customary to turn a drove of these animals into a district infested by such reptiles, which in a short time is usually completely cleared of them. It is well known that pigs will destroy any rattle-snakes they meet with, and this serpent is certainly provided with one of the most deadly of poisons, and it is a reptile not at all likely to submit to an attack from any quarter, without using all its powers of defence. It is supposed that the pig receives the bite of the enraged snake on his cheek, where the fat and grizzle is thickest, and that, as there is little or no blood in that part, the poison is not carried through the system, so that the animal experiences no ill effects from the virus. Whenever a serpent is spied, the pig, with erected bristles, rushes right upon it, and indifferent to the formidable fangs that are per- haps sticking in its own hide, bites the reptile in pieces, and then devours it. Boar hunting was, and still is, a very favorite amusement in many parts of Europe where these animals are abundant. It is carried on with all the paraphernalia incident upon gay dresses and prancing steeds, baying hounds and blasts from the merrily-winded horn ; and many are the narrow escapes from the desperate charges of the infuriated creature, as when driven to a stand, with the hounds closing around him, he strives to free himself from the ranks of his pursuers. It is a feat of no slight danger at such a time to go up to him, and wait calmly to receive him on the point of the short hunting-spear. Should the aim be badly taken, or the animal be able to thrust the point of the weapon on one side, the glistening tusks would quickly deal a fatal wound, as the object of his hatred was trampled under the pointed hoofs. AT CLOSE QUARTERS. 23 In the southern part of the American Continent a species of small pig is found, generally known as the Peccary. It differs in several particulars from the members of the family Suidce, and with some other allied species has been separated into another family. These little animals generally go in troops, and never hesitate a moment to attack anything they may meet, and so fierce and determined are their charges, that both man and beast is obliged to Hee before them, or else run the risk of being gashed fearfully with their short, sharp tusks that cut like razors. They are rather pretty looking creatures, for pigs, the neck and shoulders being streaked with white. On the continent of Europe, the Wild Boar disputes the mastery of the forests with the great wolves, that prowl amid their recesses ; and by these snarling, cowardly brutes, the flesh of their bristly-coated antagonist is eagerly coveted. With young porkers, the wolves have not much difficulty, and easily despatch them, provided they find them strayed away from the protection of the grim father of the family, or their but little less savage mother. It is only in the depth of winter, when the ground is buried in snow, and they ^re half-maddened by long fasts, that the wolves, banding together, attempt to overcome the grizzly old patriarch, that at other times they fear to approach. Should they discover at such a season some solitary old Boar, roaming by himself, the howling pack immediately follows on his track, bringing others of their fellows to join them in the chase, and, emboldened by numbers, hurry after their wished for prey. Well does he know the whining cry, which echoes and re-echoes through the gloomy woods; and the stern old recluse, casting quick glances on every side from his blood-shot eyes, trots rapidly over the snow, seeking some favour- ing thicket where he can give battle to his pursuers. He appreciates the danger that menaces him, and is fully aware that should they overtake him in the open woods, their numbers would be more than a match even for his great strength ; and when the shrill howls break clearer on the frosty air, as the eager wolves draw near, he selects the matted base of some fallen tree, where the roots twisting about in fanciful shapes, afford ample protection from any enemy who may attempt to attack him from behind ; and then, backing himself against this natural fortress, he awaits the onset of his foes. His assailants do not tarry long, and soon the foremost arrive and prepare to rush upon their formidable Idoking prey. Encircling his refuge, they try to avoid the dangerous teeth and to seize him from behind, but the favouring roots are too thickly grown, and all their efforts are unavailing to reach him. 24 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. Angered at being so foiled, several rush on him at once, hoping to distract his attention by numbers, but the massive head is quickly turned to either side, and the nearest wolf is hurled helpless on the ground bleeding from several fearful gashes, while the remainder recoil to a safer distance to gnash their teeth with impotent rage. The grim inhabitant of the jungle, in the meanwhile, his small wicked looking eyes glancing fire, and the blood and froth falling from his open mouth, with his short tail curled tightly over his back, secure in his post of vantage, grunts aloud his defiance. The cries of the discomfited wolves bring others to their aid, and over the moonlit snow the shadowy forms of many loping creatures are seen advancing to help their brethren. Soon the fight will become more desperate and furious. Urged on by long-experienced hunger, the wolves will forget the danger in their desire to secure the prey, and encouraged by numbers will assail the Boar on every side. He will not be idle, but impelled by the great strength of his neck, the tusk will be used mercilessly, and the prostrate bodies of his foes will lay around and before him, crimsoning the snow with their life blood as it streams from many a gaping wound, while the cries of the combatants arouse the sleeping echoes of the wood. At length dismayed and discomfited by his valiant defence, the few survivors among his assailants will gradually slink away, leaving him to emerge from his secure position, a victor in this desperate conflict at close quarters. PLATE AT CLOSE QUARTERS. STRATEGY VERSUS STRENGTH. MONG the deer tribe, no nobler member is known at the present day to naturalists, than the great Wapiti of North America. Although not so large as his relative the Elk, or Moose (as it is called respectively in the old and new world), it is a more graceful animal, and is possessed of far greater symmetry of form. Splendid is the appearance of the noble buck when he steps out upon the open prairie, from the lair where he has passed the night, with his coat glistening from the numerous dew-drops which he has brushed off the bushes. The graceful head is held high aloft, and the many-tined antlers branch backward over the shoulders. The ears are cast forward to catch the slightest sound, while the curling upper lip, and impatient stamp of the fore-foot, indicate the existence of that fierce temper which, when aroused, makes him so formidable an adversary. In the autumn, in the pride of his strength, he fears no enemy ; and in the company of his wives,- who look to him for the protection which he is ever ready to afford, passes the hours safe from the attacks of those animals who at other seasons make him their prey. In the deep snow of winter he can neither fly, nor oppose a successful resistance to his foes that set upon him in troops ; and in the spring, when thin and feeble from the want of necessary pasturage, and deprived of his horns that drop off during the early months of the year, he is but a semblance of his former self, and can make only a feeble defence against the most insignifi- 26 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. cant of his enemies. At such times he keeps in the thickets, as much out of sight as possible, shunning the company of even his own species, and remaining a recluse until his horns are grown again. The rapidity with which the great antlers arrive at their full growth is wonderful. Very soon after the horns have fallen off, a small knob appears on each side of the head, covered with a soft substance usually known as velvet. This is filled with blood, and serves to protect and also to nourish the horn during the process of development. So tender are these at this period, that the least blow or scratch upon the velvet, causes it to bleed freely, and it is on this account that the deer usually keep retired and in concealment until the antlers are fully grown. When they have become hard beneath their protecting envelope, the velvet peels off in long shreds, exhibiting the horns of a pure white, which, however, in the sun's rays, soon turns to a rich brown. During the spring and summer the females associate together in small numbers, accompanied by their fawns. They have few means of defence, when thus absent from their lords, and if set upon by any roving animal, are obliged to place all their hope of escape in their speed. A most formidable enemy to them is the Puma (or, as it is sometimes called, the North American lion), which fortunately for them is but seldom met with. This animal is the largest and most powerful of the cats which live in the districts inhabited by the Wapiti ; and, like all cats, it is fond of living alone. Although chiefly nocturnal in its habits, it also prowls about during the day, and with silent steps moves through the forest, intently on the watch for any luckless creature that may be in its vicinity. This powerful animal is possessed of great cunning, as the following instance will show. A hunter who had been in pursuit of a puma for the greater portion of a day, after proceeding some time, observed that he came again and again upon a man's track, mingled with that of the panther ; and he soon became conscious that the crafty animal had made a circuit, and had got behind, having thus become the pursuer, in place of remaining the pursued. Instead of going any farther, he quietly stepped behind a tree, and with his gun presented and ready, awaited the approach of his disagreeable attendant. Soon he saw the puma coming carefully along, sniffing his tracks at intervals, and endeavouring to catch a glimpse of him in front. Waiting a favourable moment, he fired from his concealment, and fortunately killed the animal on the spot. It proved to be a male of the largest size. STRATEGY VERSUS STRENGTH. 27 During severe winters, the puma is frequently obliged to go for long periods without food, as the deer, which it often makes its prey, are capable of serious resistance — the does being usually accompanied by the bucks, whose sharp horns, wielded with great dexterity, render them no despicable antagonists. At such times it will pay a visit to the sheep-fold, and create great slaughter among its terrified and helpless inmates. For it is naturally cruel in disposition, and slays, when it has the opportunity, more than is required for the moment's consumption. When pursued by the hunter with his hounds, if closely pressed, this active animal betakes itself to some lofty tree, where snugly ensconced in the fork of a large branch, generally lying close to the trunk, it looks down quietly upon its four-footed pursuers that bark angrily at the base of the tree, and bound against its sides, in their vain efforts to reach their natural enemy. Even when shot and mortally wounded, so as to be obliged to leave its place of refuge, and to fall headlong into the midst of the waiting pack, it is capable of making a serious defence, and is rarely despatched before some of the dogs are killed — its terrible teeth and claws making fearful and ghastly wounds. Such is the fierce animal portrayed in our illustration ; and now, having obtained an insight into its habits and mode of life, let us witness the manner in which the occurrence happened, which made it necessary to bring into play all the strategical power of the imperilled deer, to free itself from the strength and fury of its unwelcome rider. Walking quietly through the forest, cropping the tender leaves that hang above their heads, a small troop of female Wapiti are seeking a suitable place to pass the dark hours of the coming night. Unaccompanied by their armed guardians, who at this season are dwelling apart in chosen loneliness, they trust for protec- tion to their quick sense of smell and hearing, as well as to their powers of speed. The pure, soft breeze is borne to them untainted by any lurking foe, and no hostile sound has arisen to startle their early-awakened fears. But, at no great distance away, their greatest enemy is watching the unconscious deer with eyes of fire. He marks their projected course, and, on velvet feet, steals softly away to the over- hanging branch of a lofty tree that spans their chosen path ; and crouched close against the limb, waits for their coming. He lies like a figure carved in stone, giving no sign of life, save by the unconscious movement of the claws as they indent the yielding bark. Slowly they come, those timid, graceful creatures, ever and anon stopping to sniff the air, or to catch with ample ears the sound of an 28 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. enemy's foot. But there is nothing that they can hear or scent, and unconscious of their great peril, they pass ■ beneath the Hmb. Only an instant is needed to gather himself together, and with all his natural fierceness increased many fold by long continued fasting, the panther descends upon the broad back of its victim. Paralysed for an instant by the suddenness of the shock, the poor deer staggers beneath the weight of the terrible beast; then fear and the consciousness of imminent danger give it renewed strength, and it bounds through the forest in the wake of its terrified companions, with the cruel rider tearing its tender flesh with both claws and fangs. The deep growls of the panther, accompanied by the bleating of the wounded deer, arouse the other creatures of the woods, which hurry away from the scene ; all save the great horned owls, which disturbed from their day-slumbers in the hollow of some ancient tree, follow the flying animal in hopes of a share in any approaching feast. Soon failing strength warns the deer that it must speedily free itself from its dangerous companion, or else it will be obliged to succumb ; and as it passes the massive trunks of the trees standing along, its course, it brushes against them, vainly endeavouring to sweep the panther off. When all hope appears over, it suddenly sees before it, lying across and but a few feet above the path, the fallen trunk of a dead tree. Speeding towards it, the doe crouches until its back is just on a level with the tree's lower side, and then with a mighty rush brings the panther forcibly against the trunk, and the beast, obliged to loose his hold, is swept off, while the deer, rejoicing in its freedom, disappears in the thick woods. The panther growls over the loss of his prey, and lashing his sides with angry jerks of his long tail, moves slowly away into the dense bushes. PLATE STRATEGY VERSUS STRENGTH. GLEANERS OF THE SEA. gallant ship, that has survived the fury of many storms, is brought at last to its death upon the stretches of a sandy coast. The fierce waves have found many a crevice in her worn sides, and with resistless power have torn the planks from her frame, and strewn them along the shore. The cargo, floating through the yawning chasms, is borne along by the waters, and the fairy gulls are attracted towards it. Lightly they skim above detached morsels of the eatable portion of the ship's stores, or settling down upon the waters near some particularly tempting piece, with shrill cries dispute for its possession, and en- deavour to bear it away in their ivory bills. They swarm about the wreck in countless numbers, and lighten, with their silvery dress, the dark background of the clouds. Amid all the winged tribes that find their homes upon the bosom of the ocean, and seek their subsistence amid the tossing crests of its waves, none are more attractive and beautiful, with their graceful forms and pure white dress, than the active, lively gulls, our Gleaners of the Sea. Coming at times in flocks, with every kind of erratic movement, more like the fleecy snow-flakes borne by the wintry wind than creatures endued with life, they flit over their billowy home, or cover in silent ranks the bleak wastes of its sandy bounds. Lonely, indeed, would be the wide expanse of ocean, teeming as it is with unnumbered inhabitants of beautiful and curious form, were there no feathered creatures to sport over its waves, and to gambol upon its surface. 30 WOLF'S WILD ANIMAI^S. As we look upon their structure, so adapted to the Hfe they are destined to Hve, so wonderfully fitted to the sphere they are formed to fill, how limitless appears the resources of Creative Power, which, having bestowed upon the land its count- less forms of beauty, brings to the deep its own creatures made to dwell amid the mighty waves, or to sport over their everchanging surface ! Of all shapes and sizes — from the Great Black-backed Gull who moves among his brethren of the air like a feathery monarch, exacting tribute from every newly-discovered feast, to the delicate little being no larger than the swallow — these long-winged sprites are met with upon every shore that bounds old Ocean's waves. In tropical lands they remain permanently, all the year round ; but they depart from the more northern climes, when the chill blasts betoken the advent of winter, coming to cover their accustomed fishing-grounds with ice, and to hide their finny prey. Graceful are their evolutions when, in noisy groups, assembled over some school of little fish, they plunge into the sea in rapid succession, throwing jets of sparkling drops into the air as each fairy body strikes the yielding surface. Shrill cries of triumph — sometimes of angry, petulant scolding, as one stronger than his fellow snatches away a well-earned prize — resound on every side. The eye becomes dazzled and wearied in following the innumerable curves of the white bodies of the excited throng, though the spectator is filled with pleasurable emotions , at the variety and beauty of their swift and easy movements. Not only along the reaches of the sandy shore are these attractive birds found. Far out at sea, hundreds of miles distant from any land, they flit over the bleak waters and glean a scanty meal from off the crests of the angry waves, or follow in the wake of swiftly sailing ships, watchful for every morsel thrown over their sides. Although so light of body as to seem to be the sport of every passing breeze, they battle successfully with the storm, steadying themselves against the furious blast on balanced wings, and with repeated tacks, like well-guided vessels, making headway in the very face of the tempest. The Sea-gull is always at home upon the deep, and, when wearied by a long-continued flight, settles itself upon the water, and folding carefully its long wings over its back, quietly rests, unmindful of the waves that toss its light form about, as they swing to the power of the wind. Some of the breeding resorts of the Sea-gulls are most wonderful places to visit ; for although many merely deposit their eggs in hollows in the sand, yet PLATE VIM, GLEANERS OF THE SEA, GLEANERS OF THE SEA 31 sometimes they associ9.te (for the purpose of rearing their young) with other sea- birds which are accustomed to breed on cHfifs overhanging the sea. At such places, every shelf and narrow ledge is hidden by myriads of Auks, Guillemots and Puffins which lay their unprotected eggs upon the bare rocks, or in slight holes on the faces of the cliffs ; while farther in the chasms the Gulls resort, and, form- ing colonies of their own, hatch and rear their young in peace. All day long the rocks are alive with the countless winged inhabitants, some arriving with food for their young, and others departing to seek it ; and, should they be suddenly disturbed by any unwelcome intruder, the whole population rises on wing with a noise like the sound of distant thunder, in numbers that fairly darken the sky. Although so crowded, the different species dwell together in amity, and when their arduovis duties are over depart, each to seek its accustomed haunts, and to enter upon its usual mode of life, enlivening with its presence the bleak shores of the watery world. THE SIESTA. HE forests of the Tropics, how wonderful their vegetation. Trees of every variety of shape and size, crowded and tangled together, struggle upward toward the light, while twining amid and around their twisted trunks and limbs, lives many a graceful creeper ; or fastened to the side of swinging branches, the parasitic plants make the deep recesses gay with their myriads of flowers, bright in colours of every hue. Although at times these leafy vaults and aisles are silent, no sound disturbing the repose that reigns around save perhaps the' slight rustling of the leaves, or rubbing of the branches as they swing to the passing breeze, yet animal life is never wanting to enliven the apparently lonely depths. Insects of various hues swarm on the earth and over the decaying trees that cumber the ground in every direction ; birds of gorgeous plumage — from the noisy parrot to the resplendent hummer — flit around seeking the fruits that hang in golden clusters from the heavily freighted boughs, or extract the honied juices that lie hidden in the depths of the rainbow-hued flowers. In the swamps and lagoons, serpents with brightly-coloured velvet skin watch for their wonted victims, or hideous alligators in scaly armour, with head alone exposed above the surface, lie motionless. Many a quadruped also roams through the cool, leafy stretches of these primeval woods, shunning the intense heat of the noon-day sun, and lying at length upon some favouring spot, dozes away the hours, to rise refreshed as the day declines, and to commence anew his nightly work of pursuing and destroying his prey. Among the inhabitants of the tropical forests, the most formidable and dreaded is the Jaguar, sometimes called the Tiger of South America. Like many THE SIESTA. zz of the cat family of which he is a member, he is possessed of a most beautiful coat, the fur soft and of a deep golden hue spotted with black rings. His padded feet enable him to steal upon and surprise his victim, and, so great is his strength, he can strike even an ox to the earth with one blow of his paw. Stealthy, cunning, crafty, treacherous, he is the terror of all that live in his vicinity ; and, when urged on by hunger, is not restrained by the fear of man himself, but in lieu of other food will seek him also, and by a sudden spring seize upon and carry him bodily off to the recesses of some tangled thicket, where pursuit would be of no avail, and there enjoys without fear of interruption his horrid repast at his leisure. The Jaguar is nocturnal in his habits, and, like all dwellers of the tropics whether man or beast, is accustomed to pass the sultry hours of the day asleep. He frequently stretches himself on some low limb and slumbers away the greater portion of the day ; for, like all cats, he is a great climber, his sharp claws enabling him to ascend trees with great facility. Many an unfortunate monkey, who may be sitting in fancied security upon his beloved perch, chattering and grimacing at the world below, is suddenly seized by his crafty foe and borne away in triumph. As a rule the Jaguar will not attack man unless impelled as I have said by hunger, or unless he finds himself hemmed in without any avenue of escape. At such times he is a most formidable adversary, and the following account from the annals of the Convent of San Francisco, in Santa F6, of one thus caged without power to retreat, will show how terrible he is on such occasions. On the loth of April, a lay brother having made confession and concluded his prayers, entered the sacristy. On opening the door, he was terror-stricken to find himself almost face to face with a Jaguar of very extraordinary size. In a moment the poor man was in the clutches of the beast, which dragged its victim into a back corner to finish the bloody work. The guardian of the Convent, on hearing the exclamation in the sacristy, hurried to enter the room, and had scarcely become aware of what had happened before the animal leaped upon his second victim, and despatched him with the same promptitude as he had the first. After awhile another man attempted to enter the sacristy, but not without meeting a similar fate. A senator, Mr. Irondo, tried now to approach the sacristy by an adjoining back-room, which communicated with the other by a small door. The Jaguar, however, had left the sacristry in the meantime through the very door which Mr. Irondo wanted to pass, and before the latter, followed by a small crowd 34 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. could enter it, he heard the cries, " Here he is ! Here he goes ! Save me ! " With this the roaring of the Jaguar was heard, and mingled with it the last exclamations of a fourth victim. Each party now retired, the convent people to the church, and the Jaguar to his first stronghold. Mr. I rondo now approached and bolted the door of the sacristy opening into the church, making the least noise he could. A hole was then bored through the door, and .finally the crowd succeeded in shoot- ing and killing the dreadful monsteh This terrible occurrence is explained by the fact that the Convent of San Francisco in Santa Fe is situated upon the banks of the Rio Bravo, which, after freshets, occasionally overflows the islands in front of the town. During one of these inundations, all the animals in the thickets upon the island seem to have been driven out ; among thern the above Jaguar, which made for the town side, where he entered the gardens of the Convent. A low wall only encircled the latter towards the river. From the gardens he entered a sntall door, accidentally left open, and so came through an old back vestry to the sacristy. At the time the animal entered the sanctuary from the church side, he was perfectly aware that his retreat was cut off by the river-flood, and thus found himself forced to the desperate attack upon man, which he was compelled to repeat several times. Fortunately for the inhabitants of tropical America, where this terrible animal is only to be met with, it is not generally in the habit of going in troops, biit ; as soon as it is old enough to kill its own prey, leaves the company of its kind, and leads a solitary existence. Were it accustomed to hunt in numbers- as do wolves, it would soon extinguish every living quadruped within the country it inhabited ; for its powers of scent, stealthy approach, crafty disposition, fertility in resources of over-reaching its prey, and the capability of ascending trees as nimbly as it runs upon the ground, places almost every living creature within its . grasp. Dreadful indeed would be its attacks were its powers increased many times,^ as would be the case did numbers of such formidable animals consort and seek their prey together. But nature is ever true to herself, and whenever any creature is endowed with special powers of destruction, it is held in check, as it were, by the bestowal of desire for a solitary existence. Beautiful and gentle indeed does this savage animal appear, as depicted in the accompanying illustration, and we can almost . hear its low-breathed purr of satisfaction as it enjoys the cooling influence of the placid" stream beneath its retreat, and slumbers away the sultry hours in its accustomed noonday siesta. PLATE IX. THE SIESTA, A TROPICAL BATHING-PLACE. MONG the different countries of the Globe, Africa takes precedence for the RgiM number and variety of its larger forms of animal life. Over its desert tracks, which man only traverses with pain and difficulty, herds of Gemsbok, and other antelopes that are able to go for days without tasting a drop of water, roam in undisturbed freedom ; while its forests and verdant plains are fairly crowded with the countless forms of other species of the same tribe, mingling with the great herds of gigantic- Elephants, which leisurely feed upon the drooping branches of the lofty trees, as they move in stately procession beneath their grateful shade. From the shelter of many a favouring thicket, apparently in serious meditation, its small, spiteful looking eyes shining brightly, the huge, ungainly Rhinoceros surveys the teeming plain, or watches the lofty Giraffe, as he moves with awkward strides through the leafy groves. Baboons too are seen, gravely sitting in solemn conclave at the edge of their rocky fastnesses, discussing some weighty subject of their political economy7and held in check by a hoary patriarch, who reproves in the most summary manner all attempts at unseemly gambols. The majestic Lion and graceful Leopard are not absent, but resting in their lairs deep in some tangled brake, and will emerge at night to enter again upon their course of rapine and destruction, followed by their satellites the cowardly Hyena and yelping Jackall. Birds of strange form and curious habits are met with everywhere, from the tall Secretary stalking over the plain intently seeking his usual serpent prey, to the industrious little Weavers, that 36 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. in noisy groups construct their massive nests all over some chosen tree. The rivers are the abode of numberless Crocodiles, that lie motionless upon their surface, or rest upon their banks and uncovered bars of sand, while great herds of Hippopotami sport within the waters. Thus on every side all forms of nature's handiwork are seen, in such profusion and endless variety as to cause some of the earlier travellers of those distant wilds to state that they bore more the appearance of some great menagerie, than the open tracks of a land where man was accustomed to dwell. Pre-eminent among his fellow quadrupeds, both as regards his size and his sagacity (which at times approaches almost to the dignity of intellect), the. Elephant claims our attention above, all the animals that have been referred to. Larger than his Asiatic relative, he also differs from him in many particulars, some of which are remarkable and peculiarly conspicuous. One is the immense ears which, when laid back, reach beyond the shoulders and cover all his fore-quarters, and when thrown forward conceal his body from the view of anyone in front of him, and give to his head the appearance of being provided with a pair of huge, leathery wings. Both sexes possess tusks, and the female has thus a great advantage over her Asiatic representative, which is devoid of these valuable and useful appendages. This great animal (belonging, with the hippopotamus and rhinoceros, to the class of pachyderms, so designated from the great thickness of their hides), are always accustomed to go in large troops, the old males taking up their position in front and rear, to protect from any sudden attack the females and young clustered together in the centre. It has no cause to fear most of the wild animals inhabiting its dis- tricts, although, as occasionally happens, when it engages in conflict with the unwieldly rhinoceros, the latter will rush upon, and getting beneath its huge adversary will plunge its long, sharp horn into the elephant's body, and by repeated stabs bring it in a short time lifeless to the earth. A species of tick, and many other insects infest their hides and cause the animals great annoyance. To rid themselves of these they have recourse to a very ingenious and effectual method. Seeking some half-dried pool, the mud of which is still soft, they lie down and roll in it, wallowing after the manner of a pig in a similar place. Having covered themselves thoroughly with the sticky earth, they emerge entirely of another colour according as the mud may be white, red or black, and taking up their position in the sun, remain motionless for hours until their covering becomes dry and hard. Then by sudden, muscular efforts, the mud is broken and falls off the hide, carrying with it all the A TROPICAL BATHING-PLACE. 37 insects that were on the animal's body and which had become imbedded in the hardened earth, and the sagacious animal moves off, freed for a time from his minute tormentors. As a general rule elephants live to a great age, but whenever anyone of a herd becomes ill, no matter from what cause, the others set upon it and drive it from their society. When thus obliged to leave its companions, the poor animal immediately seeks some chosen place, usually known to hunters and travellers as the elephant's cemetery, and there remains until he dies. No matter how far this particular place may be from the spot where the herd was living at the time the invalid was obliged to leave, he will strive to reach it, as though it was impossible for him to die anywhere else. Within the past few years, on account of continued persecutions from the hunters who have sought these animals principally for their tusks, which form one of the most valuable articles of commerce, the Elephants have retired further into the interior of the continent, leaving merely a remnant of their numbers in the localities where they formerly abounded. A large herd of these gigantic animals must present a magnificent spectacle, and the few Europeans who have witnessed them enjoying the unrestrained freedom of their native wilds have given most en- thusiastic descriptions of the excitement that took possession of them when behold- ing the scene. Harris, who was the first to penetrate to the Cashan mountains, in the territory of the redoubtable Matabili Chief Moselekatse, one day whilst engaged in hunting these gigantic animals, speaks of a magnificent panorama that suddenly unfolded itself before him, that beggared all description. "The whole face of the landscape was actually covered with wild Elephants. There could not have been fewer than three hundred within the scope of our vision. Every height and green knoll was dotted over with groups of them, whilst the bottom of the glen exhibited a dense and sable living mass — their colossal forms being at one moment partially concealed by the trees which they were disfiguring with giant strength, while others were seen majestically emerging into the open glades, bearing in their trunks branches of trees with which they indolendy protected themselves from the flies. The background was occupied by a view of the blue mountainous range, which here assumed a remarkably precipitous character, and completed a picture at once soul- stirring and sublime." Such are the scenes enjoyed by the intrepid men who often risk life and health for the sake of science, or in pursuit of their favourite game. 38 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. Wild Elephants usually proceed to the water at night, but if the day is very warm they seek the river while the sun is yet high, to cool themselves in the refreshing stream. Generally they approach it with great caution, stopping every few moments to listen for any hostile sound, or to apprize themselves,. by their ex- quisite sense of smell, of the vicinity of some lurking foe. Their bath is greatly enjoyed, and the huge animals frequently submerge themselves entirely, or standing in the water where it about reaches up to their bodies, draw great quantities of it into their trunks and spirt it over their own backs, or those of their neighbours. The uncouth, and clumsy hippopotami, disturbed by the sudden arrival of the colossal strangers, rise to the surface, and throwing great jets of water into the air from their nostrils, with open mouths which display the huge teeth crowded together, stare at the unwelcome intruders ; while chattering monkeys from the overha'nging branches, with many curious grimaces, and frantic gestures, express their disapproba- tion of the entire company beneath them. Such is one of one the usual scenes witnessed by every traveller who has penetrated into the interior of the great African Continent, and surely nothing could more gladden the heart of the natura- list after weeks of weary wanderings, exposed to the fury of the elements, attacks of savage beasts, or still more savage man, than to have suddenly open before his astonished gaze a scene like the one depicted in our illustration ; and to find him- self- at last arrived . at that bourne where the mighty animals of unknown wilds, rniove in their native freedom. PLATE ^' S ' ;^ y < i ^ -* ^s^' .,T \f ^' --: A TROPICAL BATHING-PLACE. HUNTED DOWN. HE members of the Crow Family are generally associated with gloomy thoughts and funereal events, chiefly perhaps from their dress of black that seems to array them in a garb of mourning ; and if it was to indicate the want of many good qualities that their sable plumage was bestowed upon them, it certainly was not given unnecessarily. Thieves by nature, they make away with everything that attracts their attention, when it is not too bulky for them to remove, and with the same instincts as those possessed by their relatives the magpie and jay, they hide their booty in some chosen place of concealment. The anxiously- watched contents of the nest placed amid the heather on the hill-side is a great treasure-trove for the wandering Crows, and many a pair of grouse have been roughly despoiled by these winged robbers. They regard the field newly-sown with corn, as prepared for their especial benefit ; and, so great is their impatience, they can hardly restrain themselves from digging up the grain with their strong bills until the labourers have left the ground. But, added to their unattractive robes is the discordant ^oice, that seemingly in mockery of all tuneful notes, grates upon the ear at every moment, as though its owner was ever deriding the warblers that make the groves resound with their melody. Being also about the only feathered creatures that remain in certain localities all the year, unmindful of the changing seasons, and always familiar objects, swaying upon the dead limb, when all nature lies lifeless beneath the white robe of winter, we associate with these birds the saddest 40 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. period of the year, when all the flowers have drooped and died, and nature, bereft of her summer beauty, awaits the joyful resurrection of the spring-time. And they are suitable inhabitants of the gloomy scene, flitting over the pure snow, their black forms casting still blacker shadows, as with harsh cries and laboured effort, they wing their way over the land. Quick of eye they are too, and cunning withal ; nothing escapes their piercing gaze, and well indeed must that object be hidden, which they pass by unnoticed. No poor wearied creature, sinking under the fierce blast, wounded perhaps, need hope to escape these pilferers ; for quickly spying it out they stoop around it, only delaying their attacks until the evidence of all active life is gone. And so they seem unsuited for the bright summer, when all nature is smiling in her cheerful dress, bringing their black robes amid the gay flowers ; but more in consonance with bleak December. Night is drawing slowly on, the sun is setting in clouds and thick mist, and the wind moans sadly over the cheerless landscape. The trees, holding their uncovered arms towards the wintery sky, are rocking in the blast, earth is clad in a winding-sheet of white, and all nature lies lifeless beneath the tread of the storm-king who holds in his hands the ice-treasures of the north. Swiftly, as though hurrying to some appointed trysting-place, the clouds fly across the heavens, jostling each other in their rapid course, as if anxious to reach their goal ; the biishes bend beneath their snowy load, while from numberless swaying twigs the transparent icicles hang in long, glittering lances. At such a time, one would suppose, every animal would keep under shelter, and that nothing but the pangs of hunger could induce any of the wild dwellers of the woods to brave the chill blast that is sweeping over the face of the land. But yonder, moving slowly, evidently in pain, one small limb hanging useless, struck perhaps by the pellets from some sportsman's gun, a wounded hare is seeking some friendly shelter to hide herself from the cutting wind, and her no less relentless pursuer. How she must long for the warm form, from which she was so suddenly startled but a short time since, by the dog which had discovered her retreat, and where she had sat thinking perhaps of the moon-light night in the pleasant summer- time, when she had played upon the soft green sward — and then, as the snow went whirling by, nestled all the closer in her warm nest. But the spot she is accustomed, to regard as home (for .even the lower animals have such to which they constantly resort) is far away now, and weary PLATE HUNTED DOWN, HUNTED DOWN. 41 with her efforts to escape, and faint from the deadly wound, she struggles on, if only perchance she may reach a place of safety. And now she can go no farther, and by the side of a slender stalk, that of itself can give no protection, she has drawn herself up, and with her long ears laid upon her back remains exposed to all the severity of the approaching winter's night. Alas ! poor pussy, not even there can you be left at peace; for the scavengers of the air have already found you out, and with wonderful instinct have discovered your failing strength, and come swiftly, with many a boding croak, to sweep over your crouching form. Well they know that soon your bright eye will grow dim, and undeterred by even any semblance of life, they may work their will upon that which was only lately so replete with vigour, and graceful activity. Yes, you start ! for their funereal wings almost touch you as they brush closely by, as if the ill-omened birds could not restrain their im- patience, nor wait until that gentle head should sink upon the snow. The wind as it rushes by soughs through the branches, singing a requiem, and with a rough kindli- ness tosses the feathery flakes around, as if it would shield the drooping animal in an unsullied shroud ; then, as the darkening night drives the winged enemies to seek their own shelter, the blast, more friendly than any of the poor thing's fellow creatures, will hide the lifeless form in a pure white covering, that the rising sun shall cause to glow in his flashing rays. A RACE FOR LIFE. OW cold the wind feels ! — sweeping over the lonely, prairie, that lies wrapped in its spotless mantle, for during the past night a fierce storm of snow has covered all the plain, making the rolling, undulating soil appear like suddenly-congealed billows. The vast — seemingly endless — expanse stretches away for many a mile, until it is lost in the farrdistant horizon. The short, green turf, which during the pleasant months of spring is richly enamelled with gaily-coloured flowers, is hidden now by the pure, new-fallen snow. Beautiful to look upon is the prairie as it lies there in its white dress, glittering in the bright beams of the wintry sun, and flashing back, in myriads of brilliant scintillations, the rays that dance upon its unsullied surface. Yet attractive as it may be to the sight, its icy-robe brings pain and suffering, aye even death, to many a dweller of the boundless plains, by hiding away the food in the shape of the stunted grass, or else by means of the biting wind that accompanies the storm, killing the few remaining sprouts upon the scattered trees, and freezing up the brooks and streams. Still it is indeed an " ill wind that blows nobody good," and at such a time as this the propitious moment arrives for certain beasts to sally forth in quest of spoil, for such is certain to be found, and it will be taken from the weaker ones who are incapable of successful defence, even as in the higher ranks there are always those to be met with who thrive upon the fate of the unfortunate. If we cast our eyes, even now, over yon hillock, a skulking creature may A RACE FOR LIFE. 43 be seen, prowling stealthily along, prying with restless eyes on eveiy side, seeking for prey. His colour serves well to conceal him from view, as it is almost as white as the snow on which he treads ; yet by the long nose, sharp-pointed ears, and thick, bushy tail, we recognize without difficulty the unwearied scavenger, the cowardly, cunning, quick-witted, formidable white wolf of the prairies of the western world. How well he knows that of all times this is the best for him f that when the snow is deep, and covered with a slight crust, he can creep up to, and surprise his unsuspecting prey, or easily weary him if he attempts to escape by flight. We will watch him as he steals along, and see if he will be successful this morning. So quietly he moves, trotting slowly on, sniffing the air as though he already scented the prey, and stopping every now and then to look back over his shoulder, as if he expected to see some more of his silvery-coated brethren follow- ing in his tracks. A little way beyond is a clump of cotton-wood trees fringing a narrow stream, and as the wind bends their stiffened boughs, and then whirls the snow in front of our four-footed hunter, he suddenly stops, and after a few quickly drawn sniffs, turns himself towards the grove, advances a short distance, then sits down upon his haunches, and seems to deliberate upon his next move. Evidently his keen scent has discovered something amid tljose moaning trees, that sway and bend in the piercing wind, as though complaining of the fierce blast that threatens to shear them of some of their fair proportions. With great circumspection he approaches nearer, and makes half the circuit of the grove, endeavouring to look into its recesses, for hungry as he may be, he is too cowardly or cautious to dash in, although his nose has already told him what is there. Now his quick eye must have discovered some object, for see ! he is becoming excited, the hair rises along his back, and with a few quick jumps that make the snow fly on every side, he suddenly squats upon his haunches and gives forth a long shrill-drawn howl, that is carried in dismal cadences far over the plain. And now we too perceive the cause of his movements. As the mournful cry is uttered, from his lair among the trees, tossing his antlers proudly aloft, suddenly springs to his feet a male Wapiti, who with undaunted front, turns to face his apparently insignificant foe. The noble deer does not advance from his retreat, but the curling upper lip, grinding of the teeth, and ominous tosses of the armed head plainly foretell the kind of reception his adversary is likely to meet with, should he desire to seek a closer acquaintance. 44 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. But that does not seem to be the intention of our sharp-witted hunter, for he retires a short distance, and gives frequent utterances to the same dismal howl that so, startled the buck. At first these produce no effect, save to awaken some few faint echoes, but after several have been tried, there comes a reply from some distant low- lying hills, which makes our hunter prick up his ears, and give tongue energetically. And now the answering cries become more frequent and from many quarters, and quickly moving forms are seen cautiously converging towards the spot where the first note was sounded. Even the Wapiti is becoming uneasy, and takes a few steps forwards, as though meditating a charge, but evidently reconsiders it, as he returns again to his first position. Now the wolves rapidly draw near, and as they approach the grove they squat around, or lie down, as though consulting the best mode of attack ; while the first comer moves about among them as if explaining the position. All at once they seem to have decided, and a number rush forward towards the deer, which, with lowered antlers and starting eyes, awaits the onset. It is apparently but a feint, however, for they do not go quite up to him, but stand and gnash their teeth just out of his reach, yet retaining all his attention upon those in front of him. Now we see their strategy ; for a few skulking forms appear among the trees behind, having crept unperceived around the grove, and suddenly attack him in the rear, springing at his hind legs, and endeavouring by sudden snaps of their powerful jaws to ham-string the noble buck, and thus place him at their mercy. At the first note of their attack the party in front renew their onset, and bolder than before, crowd upon the deer from all sides ; who in the meanwhile is not standing idle, but makes desperate thrusts with his sharp-pointed tines. At length when some wolf more daring than the rest attempts to seize him and pull him down, he makes a furious rush forward, transfixes one luckless animal upon his horns, and hurls him into the air a helpless mass. But as though infuriated by the fate of their companion, a desperate and combined attack is made from all sides by the entire force, and then, finding his retreat too open for a successful defence, the gallant animal, gathering all his strength for the effort, breaks through the covert, " With one brave bound the copse he dears, And, stretching forward free and far " trusts to his fleetness upon the treacherous covering of the open plain. As though A RACE FOR LIFE. 45 moved by the same will, the pack of hungry assailants dash forward in pursuit, uttering at each leap their angry bark, and straining every nerve to overtake the flying deer ; which, with antlers laid upon his neck, and head outstretched, fast leaves them in the rear, as with desperate bounds he speeds over and through the snow, dashing it in fairy, glittering flakes on every side. And so on they go, pursuer and pursued, over many a weary mile of that interminable expanse ; startling the herds of timid antelopes, which spring away fleet as the wind, or causing the bolder buffaloes to crowd closer together, the patriarchal bulls in front, presenting their solid, bony foreheads towards the eager wolves, while the cows and calves are crowded together behind their sagacious protectors. No weariness is shown by those relentless trackers, as with blood-shot eyes and hang- ing tongues, they follow their destined prey with determined, unflagging purpose, and mile after mile is thus passed without any slackening of their speed. Alas ! it is not so now with the labouring deer ; for the snow impedes him, and his sharp hoofs break through the frozen crust, which cuts and wounds his slender limbs as he struggles on. His tongue is hanging down from fear and fatigue, the laboured breath comes in oft-repeated sobs, and his large, bright eye, which is ever and again turned back to watch his blood-thirsty pursuers, drops many a scalding tear upon his cheek. But still he bravely struggles on, for it is a race for life with him, and well he knows that to falter now would soon place him in the power of his foes, who would tear him to pieces in a moment. At first he seemed to consider his speed sufficient to enable him to free himself from his enemies, but now failing strength and slackened flight, with the nearer approach of his deter- mined adversaries, warn him that some secure place must quickly be found if he would witness another rising sun. Even now the wished for refuge presents itself ; for as he reaches the ridge of a line of low-lying hills, the river bursts upon his view, and as if his strength was renewed by the sight, he increases his speed towards its friendly banks. But his eager pursuers have seen it also, and designing his intentions, redouble their efforts to overtake him before he can plunge into the stream. And now the bank is gained, when, alas, instead of the wished-for water, a wide expanse of glistening ice stretches away far towards the centre of the river, leaving comparatively but a narrow channel through which the crowded waters are seen to flow. For a moment the gallant animal hesitates, but his enemies thirsting for his blood are near him now, another moment and it will be too late ; 46 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. so with the energy of despair he springs from the bank, just escaping a vicious snap from the jaws of the nearest wolf, and ahghts upon the smooth ice, which, bi-eaking beneath his weight, drops him struggHng into the deep water. Some of the more eager wolves follow him in his leap, and are submerged with him. One receives a blow from the sharp hoof, which lays him helpless upon his back, to be swept away beneath the river's icy shroud ; another turns tail and makes for the bank, the chilly bath having cooled his ardour ; while the pack squat upon the shore, howling their disappointment, as they watch the deer's frantic efforts to free himself from his new danger. By desperate plunges he breaks the ice in front of him with his fore-feet, and pushes it away towards the clear water. Gradually the distance from his enemies and the shore increases, and now but a single cake intervenes between him and safety. Half-rising he places his fore-feet upon it, and pushing it aside opens a channel, through which he floats into the open stream. Well and bravely done ! At his ease he swims with the current, while the wolves with many a vengeful whine, watch him and follow him along the opposite shore, some even venturing on ice that bears their weight ; until at last perceiving a curve of the bank where the ice is narrow, he pushes through, and, dripping with water, slowly mounts the friendly shore, and seeks some concealed place where he may regain his strength in peace ; his dreadful race is finished, his life at last is won. ^LATE XII A RACE FOR LIFE, A HAPPY FAMILY. F all the wild creatures that dwell amid the dense forests or rocky fastnesses of tropical lands, none are more interesting than the various species of Mon- keys and Baboons. Nothing escapes the scrutiny of these most imitative of animals ; and they follow faithfully, with a ludicrous gravity that is exceedingly comical to witness, the actions of anyone who has attracted their attention. Baboons live together in small colonies of one or more families, generally presided over by some hoary-headed, grave, old patriarch, who preserves order in his little community by the most summary methods, restraining the juvenile members from any unseemly tricks, and awing them into silence by the dignity of his presence, assisted in some degree by the infliction of sundry buffets and bites. They are bold and cunning, and frequently commit great ravages in the gardens and corn-fields that may be in the vicinity of their accustomed abodes. 'The plundering parties are formed and led with great skill ; sentinels keep watch to apprise the busy thieves of the approach of unwelcome intruders, and the fields are stripped of their crops with great rapidity, and the booty carried away. Eatable articles are not the only things that they seize upon. An instance is recorded of a number of Baboons having carried an infant off to some neighbouring mountains. On being pursued, they were found seated gravely in a circle round the child, which was rescued without having sustained any injury. Doubtless they were having a serious consultation over the new acquisition to their numbers, and debating whether or not it would make a creditable addition to their family. 48 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. These animals are generally very much afraid of snakes, and avoid them on every occasion by getting upon some limb of a tree or on a high rock at a safe dis- tance, where they chatter forth their anger and disgust at the crawling reptile beneath them. Once upon a time a native of one of the African tribes possessed a tame Baboon, and for amusement twisted a dead serpent round its neck. The animal sat for a long time motionless, trembling in deadly fear, not daring to touch the repulsive necklace that encircled it in many folds; and it was only when the object of its terror was removed that it crept timidly into its master's hut, and hid itself away in a corner. On being called to scratch its owner's head, as it was in the habit of doing, the animal refused to move ; and, when struck for its disobedience, flew at the native. A severe struggle ensued, and nothing could be seen of either combatant through the clouds of dust that were raised, and the cinders that were struck out of the fire which was burning in the centre of the floor, until suddenly the Baboon appeared outside the hut, and immediately betook himself to the mountains. His master was severely bitten, and did not recover for some weeks. As soon, however, as he was well, he sallied out with his gun, determined to have revenge upon his former pet. After seeking him for some time in vain, he was at last discovered among some of his fellows, peeping at his master over a crag. Instantly the gun was aimed at the oifending animal, which however immediately withdrew his head and held forward one of his comrades as a target, completely shielding his own body; and so cunning and successful was he in his manoeuvres, that the man was obliged to give up his desire to punish him, and to return home completely foiled. Baboons resent the appearance of any new comer into their domain, and express their disapprobation by various methods, chief among which are grimaces and hoarse shouts. A traveller says, " their inhospitable treatment obliged us on one occasion to make an example for public edification, and we answered the challenge of an insolent detachment with two rifle balls. Numbers assembled round the spot where the first had struck, scraping oif the lead with their finger nails, and analyzing it with ludicrous gestures and grimaces. The second missive happened, however, to upset one of their elders, an enormous ' man,' as the Hottentots termed him, fully the size of a Newfoundland dog, who was strutting about erect, laying down the law upon the abstruse science of projectiles, and who, to judge from his venerable appearance, toothless gums, and white whiskers, must A HAPPY FAMILY. 49 have been at least a great grandsire. This national cialamity did not fail to cause incredible consternation, and there ensued many affecting domestic scenes, which made us almost question the nature of the act we had committed. With pro- digious whoops and howlings, off trooped the party in all directions — those of the ' vrouws ' that happened to be mammas, snatching up their lovely babes, fondly pressing them to their maternal bosoms with an impulse and action perfectly human, and bearing them in their arms beyond the reach of danger." The Baboon is very bold and fights desperately when attacked. The old males are very savage, and inflict terrible wounds with their long canine teeth, which project considerably beyond the jaws, and have the inner edges sharp as a knife. They strike these into any animal that provokes them, and grasping it with their arms thrust it away from them, making a long, deep gash. Some of the long-armed apes have been known to kill frequently in this way other monkeys which had offended them and fallen into their power. But, like all wild creatures, these animals have also their own dreaded foes, against whose wiles and stealthy approach even their great cunning avails but little. The leopard is the one they hold most in fear, and he often succeeds in snatching an individual from the midst of his companions. Great is their consternation, and indescribable the commotion occasioned among them at such an event. Rage and fear possess them at the same moment, and with the desire for revenge at the loss of one of their number, is added the reluctance to approach too near their sharp-clawed adversary, who exhibits the most supreme indifference to their movements. Having gained a comparatively safe place of retreat, they make all kinds of hideous grimaces at their feline admirer; howling their anger, and making a liberal exhibition of their white teeth. At such times some important individual strides up and down before the rest, conspicuous for his exhibition of impotent rage, and occasionally seizes some of the smaller of his brethren, and, by a few savage bites, that send them howling and disgusted away, shows what he would gladly do to his dangerous enemy below him if he only dared. They generally, however, live rather peaceable lives, varied with a few pre- datory excursions into the inviting fields of the farmers, where having eaten all they possibly can, they bear away as much more in their cheek-pouches and hands, to be attended to afterwards at their leisure. This occupation, together with the enforcement of the discipline necessary for the welfare of every well-ordered family, occupies the time of the adults. 50 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. They are very much in the habit of collecting in numbers as closely as possible, and sleeping away a part of the day, enjoying the warmth of the sun. When thus grouped, they appear wedged together, so closely are they packed, a head at intervals appearing from the midst of the crowded bodies, and tails hang- ing down on every side, from apparently impossible places. Very contented and happy they seem at such times, as with eyes closed and hands tightly clasping each other's fur, they utter at intervals low grunts of intense satisfaction, and endeavour to crowd closer the already impenetrable mass. Such is the blissful condition of those represented in the illustration. Evidently they highly approve of their com- fortable perch, and are prepared for a lengthy nap. One old fellow, the monitor of the group, has taken his position at the end of the squeezed-up rank, and, em- bracing his knees, is considering the desirability of inflicting summary chastisement upon the mischievous youngsters, who at a little distance so irreverently disturb the slumbers of their seniors. Another, without doubt the matron of the family, has risen up from behind the others, and prepares to express in dignified tones her disapproval of all gambols at this serious time, when an afternoon's nap should be the first consideration. Some of the more youthful members have been pilfer- ing somewhere, and one is apparently greatly shocked at all unseemly behaviour and shows his astonishment in his countenance. Oh yes! we know all about it, you little thief, and your well-counterfeited expression of surprise has no effect on us ! The prominent cheeks, standing out on each side of the head, like well-filled bags, tell a tale of stealing at which no doubt he is an adept, and soon in a quiet corner by himself, safe from the inquisitive investigations of his fellows, or the more abrupt overhauling of the stern old ruler above him, he will discuss to his great satisfaction the hidden contents of his pouches. Well chosen is the place they have selected for their siesta. The warm rays of the sun that flood the limb with golden light, are tempered by the soft breeze that sways the leafy canopy stretched over them ; while perched high above their prowling enemies, they may indulge in a feeling of security, most conducive to repose, and thus free from all molestation, pass peaceably the hours, in the way most suitable for such a happy family. PLATE XIII A HAPPY FAMILY, MATERNAL COURAGE. LTHOUGH the Lammergeyer is classed among the Vultures, it little resem- bles those birds of sluggish habits and unattractive form. In place of the bare head, and neck frequently covered with unsightly wattles, or with the skin folded in unseemly wrinkles, the Lammergeyer is fully feathered to the beak, and his piercing eye and trim shape cause him to resemble more the lordly eagle, than the useful though repulsive birds with which he has been ranked. His spread of wing and powers of flight are great ; and this bandit of the air does not hesitate to attack any object that is suitable for food which it may see. So bold is he that man's presence at times causes him no fear. A well-known traveller relates that once when camped at a certain place, during the preparation of the noon-day meal, one of these great birds suddenly alighted near by, and walking up to the kettle thrust his foot into it, and endeavoured to draw out a leg of mutton which was being cooked. The boiling-water, however, was a great surprise to him, he let go his hold, and flew away a short distance to ruminate over the warm reception he had met with. Not satisfied with his repulse, he soon returned again ; and, unmindful of the different persons sitting around, seized upon another piece of meat that was lying almost in their midst, and was killed in the act of carrying it away. His actions are ungraceful, and he appears to disadvantage when on the ground, although he walks well, and it is only when launched in his native element, the air, that he moves with grace and freedom. Behold him now, as on outstretched 52 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. wings he sails majestically along, ascending at times above the snow-capped peaks of the mighty alps, gazing with an undimmed eye even at the fierce light of the noon- day sun, or searching, with penetrating gaze, every spot upon the rugged mountain side where perchance an animal might find a resting place, which by some sudden stoop he might seize in his talons, and bear away, to satisfy for a moment his voracious appetite. Hardly a flap is needed of those mighty wings to bear him onward, and the rudder-like tail, by almost imperceptible movements, guides his swift course. Monarch of those airy fastnesses is he, and as he glides above the glistening lakes • that mirror his passing form, or looks down upon the valleys nestling at the feet of the towering mountains far, far beneath him, he seems to rejoice in his pride of strength and in his freedom, and screams forth at intervals a shrill cry of exultation. But suddenly his onward flight is arrested, for the quick eye has discerned something, and he seems to consider some course of action as he makes a few uncertain movements.' Springing lightly along the side of an almost inaccessible cliff, jumping from point to point, and alighting often upon ledges so narrow that even the slender hoofs hardly find space to rest, a chamois . with her single young is seeking a better pasturing ground. The little thing follows closely in the rear of its only protector, imitating all her movements, and jumping at one and the same time, at the apparent imminent risk of dislodging both, and of falling headlong into the awful abyss beneath. Yet nothing can be surer than their foothold, and although the kid has seen but a few short weeks of life, it traverses the difficult rocks as easily as though it possessed the practice and experience of many summers, and seems to feel as secure as if no precipice yawned beneath, and no deadly foe soared above. Who so watchful as a mother ? Even as she springs to a somewhat wider ledge, ever on her guard that no harm should overtake her young, she spies the mighty bird, checking his course, and prepares to resist the attack which she knows so well her enemy is meditating. . With raised head and outstretched nos- trils she breathes defiance, and impatiently strikes the ground with her fore-foot; while the little one, apprized by its mother's movements that danger is near, cowers behind and partly beneath her. Ah, that tender creature would be a fine prize for the Lammergeyer to bear away to some lofty crag and tear in pieces at its leisure, and he does not long hesitate to attempt its capture. PLATE MATERNAL COURAGE, MATERNAL COURAGE. 53 Too cunning to stoop upon the old chamois, whose sharp, curved horns are presented towards it, the mighty bird endeavours to distract its attention and to draw her away from the kid by feints, and stoops only half executed. But the chamois is too knowing to be lured away from her charge, and then the Vulture changes its tactics, and, darting swiftly by, strives to push with its power- ful wings the watchful animal off the narrow ledge, that it may be dashed to pieces upon the rocks below. With legs apart and feet firmly braced, shielding its young behind its own body, the fearless chamois successfully resists all these attempts ; and then, angered at being so foiled, its daring assailant makes a final effort. Sailing away and aloft to gain impetus and strength for the plunge, it mounts above the destined victim ; and then, steadying itself for a moment to make sure of its aim, descends with the swiftness of a thunder-bolt. The sharp and cruel talons are curved and thrown forward, ready to seize upon the cower- ing young. But, as it clutches at its prey, it meets only the armed head and rigid body of the undaunted dam, and is hurled aside as though it had come into collision with a rock. Well done, brave mother ! No prouder decoration could you wear than that tuft of feathers torn from the breast of your cruel adversary by the curved horn, and the floating plumes borne away on the breeze bear witness to the strength of your resistance. Dismayed, discomfited, defeated, the enraged Lammergeyer, shriek- ing its disappointment as it rests for a moment on a neighbouring ledge, prepares to seek another prey less vigorously defended, bearing away in its torn plumage evidences of the power which even a comparatively feeble animal may exert, when called upon to shield its helpless offspring. RIVAL MONARCHS. NE of the most striking features of the vast prairies of the western world, is the enormous herds of Buffaloes, or properly speaking Bison (for there are no true Buffaloes in North America), that roam over the undulating plains. Moving in numbers that are apparently countless, they cover the landscape in great, shaggy masses far as the eye can reach, until lost in the dim horizon. They are among the last representatives of the great quadrupeds which had their abode on that extensive continent in earlier times. The days of the Bison, too, seem to be numbered ; for hemmed up in already restricted regions which are daily becoming more and more narrow, the period cannot be far distant, when the last of these noble animals shall succumb before its numerous foes, and pass like its gigantic predecessors into the realms of tradition and story. The Bison of America, although possessed of great strength, trusts more to its speed, and to weight of numbers to escape from its pursuers, than to any means of defence which nature has given it. Ungraceful in form, its huge head hanging low towards the ground, as if it were too heavy for the body, and was even an impediment to its progress, the animal, nevertheless, speeds away in a kind of lumbering gallop at so rapid a rate, that a good horse is required to enable the hunter to overtake it. As they dash along in serried masses, the old bulls are always in front and on the sides, while the cows, and calves, are huddled together in the centre. Their small, fiery eyes flash from the midst of the tangled hair that falls over the forehead, and the herd goes thundering on, enveloped in a RIV-AL MONARCHS. 55 cloud of dust. Woe, then, to the luckless creature that falls in their way, for dashed to the earth by the powerful leaders it is at once trampled under foot, until not even the vestige of a form remains. Occasionally, these animals are subject to panics, which excite them beyond all control, and cause them to rush away in headlong fright ; and when the tumultuous herd reaches the bed of a water-course, such as are met with at inter- vals on the prairies, with high banks forming miniature precipices on either side, the leading bulls will recoil from the depth so suddenly revealed beneath their feet, and will stop reluctant to take the desperate leap. But crowded upon by the surging mass behind, they are forced forward and pushed over the edge, and then occurs a scene of horror fearful to witness ; for multitudes of others are hurled down upon the bodies of the unfortunate animals who have fallen, until the chasm is actually filled up by the dead and dying creatures, and over this horrible, struggling bridge, the remnant passes to the firm ground beyond. Many hundreds perish at such times, and become the prey of the vultures, and prowling wolves, which are ever on the watch for some such feast. In general, the Bison has no reason to fear any of the other animals that frequent the regions it inhabits, for if an individual should be attacked, the bulls rally to its assistance, and compel the assailant to flee before the blows which they inflict with their armed heads. It is only when wounded by the Indian's arrow, or by the bullet of the white man's rifle, or else from becoming sick from any cause, that this great beast falls a victim to its four-footed enemies. The cunning white wolf is the one it has most to dread ; for these stealthy, thick-coated Arabs of the prairies soon ascertain when a Bison is in feeble condition, and, banding together, easily pull it to the ground and tear it to pieces. But the Bison does not succumb to its foes without an effort to preserve its fast ebbing life. Bold and gallant to the last, staggering to his sole remaining spot of vantage ground, the feeble knees bending beneath the weight of the mighty body — weak with loss of blood, yet still unconquered — the noble bull tosses his fierce-looking head and bids defiance to his lurking foes. With eager bloodshot-eyes, and the keen, white fangs glistening in their powerful jaws, the wolves set on him from every side. By sudden springs they seize, and tear his flesh with their sharp teeth, darting away too quickly to be injured by horn or hoof Vain are his efforts to reach the nimble assailants ; until summoning all his remaining strength, he rushes upon 56 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. one that more daring than the rest attacks him in front, and even in the act of trampHng him down, falls upon the body of his prostrate foe, too feeble to carry on the unequal combat. Never will he rise again, for instantly the hungry wolves fairly swarm upon him, and soon nothing will be left to tell of the once mighty Bison, but a well-picked skeleton, whitening in the summer sun. But one other animal may, perhaps, be able to dispute the mastery of his native fields with the full-grown, powerful Bison-bull, and that one is the terrible Grizzly Bear. Of nearly if not quite his equal in weight, armed with fearful claws and strong teeth, this dreaded inhabitant of the far west is an adversary that neither man nor beast may wish to provoke. Fortunately he rarely attacks first, but if permitted, will rather betake himself off than indulge in any conflict. This, however, is not always the case, for if disturbed when feeding, or if the means of escape are cut off, or more serious still, if it should be a female with cubs that is met with, then indeed any hunter or beast that intrudes upon this savage must look well to himself, for the onslaught is both sudden and desperate. Although of a heavy, clumsy form, the Grizzly Bear is capable of very rapid movements, and instances have been known when the speed of a good horse has been barely sufiicient to enable a hunter to escape from the fury of this animal. When thus striving to overtake - its enemy, this powerful beast follows in long leaps, roaring with rage,' and trying to seize the object of its pursuit in its curved claws. Fortunately it cannot continue its rapid course for any length of time. Terrible would be the duel, if when aroused to anger, these two great beasts should meet and. engage in conflict. Difficult indeed would it be to foretell which would , come off" victorious. Their mode of . life does not often cause themi to interfere with each other, the Bear preferring the seclusion of the thick jungle, while the Bison, as I have said, is a dweller on the open plains. It is possible, however, that they have fierce disputes at times, and the moment has been selected for illustration when a sharp-clawed Grizzly is overthrown by a blow delivered by the armed head of his ferocious-looking adversary. . It is impossible to surmise the result of this conflict, for we may rest assured that one blow will not put the bear hors-de-combat. When he next returns to the charge . the position of the com- batants may be reversed, and terrible will be the struggle for the mastery, between such great and powerful rival monarchs. PLATE y\/ RIVAL MONARCHS. THE KING OF BEASTS. HE Lion has been always regarded as the King of Beasts. But few can withstand him at anytime, and in the darkness of the night, when he loves to prowl abroad, his powerful voice alone, resounding over the plain, or awakening the echoes of the forest, sends the whole animal kingdom fleeing before him in terror. When he is engaged in feasting on the body of some creature that has been killed by a blow of his massive paw, none will dare to intrude upon his majesty ; but all wait patiently until he has satisfied his appetite, and then humbly content, themselves with what he may leave uneaten. It is thus he rules over the various quadrupeds that dwell in the same districts with himself, meeting with but few that do not acknowledge his authority. There are some, however, that do not fear him, such as the colossal elephant, the mighty rhinoceros, or the powerful buffalo, and these he seldom molests. Still, occasional instances have been known of attacks by Lions on the first-named of these great animals. One day a traveller, while hunting antelopes, drew near a place where about a dozen elephants were quietly feeding, and saw a Lion and Lioness rush upon one who was straying a little apart from the rest. The Lion climbed up on the elephant's hind-quarters, while the Lioness attempted to seize the great animal by the throat. As soon as the elephant felt the claws of his assailants tearing great gashes in .his hide, he uttered a loud cry, and rushed towards a river which was a short distance away, lashing his sides and back 58 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. furiously meanwhile with his trunk. So violent were his efforts, and so severe the blows he dealt the Lions, that they were obliged to give up the attempt upon his life, and to retreat from him before he reached the water. His lacerated hide, gashed in many places, bore evidence of the dreadful power of the claws of the ferocious beasts that had assailed him, and nothing less than his own prodigious strength could have possibly enabled him to survive such an encounter. The same observer states that he once saw a Lion attack a buffalo bull, with a more success- ful result so far as the King of Beasts was concerned. The Lion sprang upon the bull from behind, and, getting upon his back, with one blow of his paw dealt upon the neck, brought the animal to the ground, where he was soon dispatched. Splendid must this noble beast appear as he bounds over the plain, or, when pursued by the hunters, he stands at bay on his chosen vantage ground. Here he bids defiance to his enemies, and does not hesitate to attack them furiously should they approach too near his stronghold. Harris mentions an instance where one thus stood at bay and fought for his life, which gives a vivid picture of the King of Beasts in his native wilds. He was discovered under the shadow of a thick bush, and as the hunters reined up their horses near by, "the grim savage bolted out with a roar, like thunder, and bounded across the plain with the agility of a greyhound. The luxuriant beauty of his shaggy, black mane, which almost swept the ground, tempted us, contrary to established rule, to give him battle with the design of obtaining his spoils ; and he no sooner found himself hotly pursued than he faced about, and stood at bay in a mimosa grove, measuring the strength of his assailants with a most noble and imposing mien. Disliking our appearance however, and not relishing the smell of gunpowder, he soon abandoned the grove, and took up his position on the summit of an adjacent, stony hill. Crouched on this fortified pinnacle, like the sculptured figure at the entrance of a nobleman's park, the enemy disdainfully surveyed us for several minutes, daring us to approach with an air of conscious power and pride, which well beseemed his grizzled form. As the rifle balls struck the ground nearer and nearer at each discharge, his wrath, as indicated by his glistening eyes, his increased roar, and impatient switching of the tail, was clearly getting the mastery over his prudence. Presently a shot broke his leg. Down he came with reckless impetuosity, his tail straight out and whirling on its axis, his mane bristling, on end, and his eye-balls flashing rage and vengeance. Unable, however, to overtake our horses, he shortly retreated, PLATE XVI. THE KING OF BEA8T8, THE KING OF BEASTS. 59 under a heavy fire, limping and discomfited to his stronghold. Again we bom- barded him, and again he rushed exasperated into the plain with headlong fi.iry — the blood now streaming from his open jaws, and dyeing his mane with crimson. It was a gallant charge, but it was to be his last. A well-directed shot arrested him in full career, he pitched with violence upon his skull, and after throwing a complete somerset he subsided amid a cloud of dust." Lions are carnivorous, living upon the flesh of such animals as they may kill, or the carcases of those they meet with in their wanderings. Sometimes they carry off men ; and it is said that when a Lion has once tasted human flesh he prefers it to all other, and exercises all his ingenuity to obtain it, watching the abode of his destined victim for days, until a favourable opportunity occurs for him to make the fatal spring. Hence, these man-eaters, as they are called, are always considered much more dangerous than any others, and sometimes the male popula- tion of an entire African village will join in the pursuit of their dangerous enemy. His death is celebrated with the greatest rejoicings, and the conquerors return in triumph bearing the skin of the slain animal before them to gladden the hearts of all who see it. The man-eater's attacks are always sudden and unexpected. On dark nights, he prowls cautiously around the encampment, ascertaining the position of those who are sitting around the fire ; and having selected some particular person, he crawls silently up until attaining a favourable distance, the spring is made, the victim seized in the powerful jaws, and is borne away from the very midst of his companions so suddenly that they hardly have time to learn what has happened, much less to offer any defence. During stormy nights,, when the rain is descending in torrents, and the trees are bending before the force of the tempest, when the impenetrable darkness is illuminated only by the vivid, momentary flashes of lightning, and the country echoes to the crash of the terrible peals of thunder, then the. Lion is boldest, and his deep-toned roar is heard, competing in volume of sound with that of the artillery of Heaven, as he comes forth in search of prey. Even amid the gloom, his quick eye discerns the timid antelopes, which, retreating from the storm, seek shelter by crowding close together in trembling ranks. One speedily falls, at a blow of his mighty paw. The monarch drags his prey near to the water amid the covering of the thickets, and stopping for a moment to roar his defiance at the forked light- ning, prepares to commence the evening's feast. THE SHADOW DANCE. HERE are few more familiar objects seen amid the fields, than the little, lively rabbits. How rapidly they speed across the sward, their long hind- legs propelling them onwards in prodigious leaps, apparently with little or no effort on the part of the animal. Ever and anon they check their course suddenly, and sitting upright, with ears erect, listen intently for any hostile sound, scanning at the same time with a not uncomical scrutiny, everything within the range of their limited vision. Playful in disposition, many are the eccentric move- ments performed by them when on moonlight nights they assemble together, and gambol over the smooth turf. Unprovided by nature with any means of defence against their enemies, which are many and powerful, the rabbits are obliged to rely solely upon their speed to enable them to escape all pursuers. These little animals are very sociable, and fond of living together, and their warrens, as assemblages of their habitations are called, frequently contain hundreds of individuals. Their galleries extend sometimes for great distances, and little tunnels ramify in all directions, with many an opening to the surface, thus affording the inmates numerous avenues of escape. These apertures do not always give direct access to the nests, but they serve rather as entrance-halls, from which, at intervals, other lanes lead to secluded spots in which the young are reared. Rabbits are chiefly nocturnal in their habits, although it is not unusual for them to seek their food by day. But at the going down of the sun they com- THE SHADOW DANCE. 6i mence to be lively, and at the opening of each small burrow, an active little fellow will suddenly appear, and sitting upon his haunches, will attentively examine the field before him. Apparently satisfied that all is right, he starts forward on his first race for the. evening, and with the short, white tail erect over his back, bounds over the grass in leaps so similar to those of the stately buck as to cause him to be frequently called a small deer. Soon tired of his solitary excursion, as the moon rises in the heavens, and floods the landscape with her silver .light, our lively friend joins others of his companions, and their fun soon grows fast and furious. With many a lofty leap, they bound over their fellow's back, and rapidly chase each other around the fields. At times the males will stop suddenly in their race, and im- patiently strike the earth with their hind-legs several times, and then bound away again more swiftly than before. Their active forms are pictured in many fantastic shapes upon the surrounding banks and rocks, while their shadows, as if caricatur- ing the supple creatures, follow them everywhere and imitate their motions upon the sward. And so this dance of shadows is continued for hours, until their appetites, sharpened by the cool night and by their exertions, cause them to think upon the evening meal, and in little groups they scatter over the field and com- mence to crop the tender grass. Even when thus occupied they cannot altogether repress their inclination for a romp, and ever and again some sprightly little fellow will suddenly start forward, and after executing a few exceedingly intricate and rapid evolutions, will settle gravely down once more and continue his repast. Rabbits have many enemies, and are preyed upon both by the birds of the air and by the beasts of the field. Eagles and Owls seize and carry them off to their nests by day and night, and many fall victims to the various cunning four-footed creatures that prowl about the fields in search of some dainty morsel for a meal. One of their most dreaded foes is the Fox, who is ever on the alert to seize them as they gambol about in fancied security. His sharp nose easily detects their whereabouts, and his ready cunning and fei'tility of resource enable him to approach and fall upon them unawares. Even now,. one of these keen-scented animals is apprised of the presence of such a little colony as we have described, whose members are sporting together in the early morning, after a night of gambol- ling and feasting. The thickets that intervene between him and his prey hide them from his sight, but his nose tells him that there can be no mistake, and so he crawls gradually towards them. How carefully he moves ! Crouched low towards 62 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. the ground, the feet are lifted slowly in succession, and then are placed softly upon the grass as if he was feeling his way, while his bright eyes cast eager glances on every side, and the pointed ears are thrown forward to catch the slightest sound. Soon he sees before him, portrayed upon the side of a rock that glistens in the bright light of early morning, the dancing shadows of two of the graceful creatures that are playing together just beyond him. All kinds of movements are depicted upon that novel mirror by the lively animals, and the face of the stone seems itself in motion, as the shadowy forms pass rapidly about its surface. But Reynard is altogether too knowing to take the shadow for the substance, and, disregarding the show that is passing before him, he endeavours to peer around the friendly bush that hides the rabbits from his view, and to ascertain their true position. Soon he will see their nimble figures, as they draw closer to his vicinity, then the spring will suddenly be made, and the shrill scream of the startled victim will tell the story of the Fox's success ; and, as the members of the frightened colony disappear in their burrows, the shadows too will flee away, and nought will remain, save one dark form, rapidly disappearing in the distance, as the Fox bears away his lifeless prey. PLATE XVII, THE SHADOW DANCE, CATCHING A TARTAR. F all the inhabitants of the air, none move on such noiseless wings as the night-loving, hoarse-voiced Owl. Its downy plumage makes no resistance to the atmosphere ; but yielding, like the wave, to every breath that blows, enables the bird to glide like a sprite over the star-light landscape. The Owl's approach is unheralded, and its victims are snatched up, or lifted from the earth without a moment's warning, and borne away in triumph. Nearly every portion of the earth can claim the Owl as an inhabitant. Amid, the gloomy recesses of the Polar regions, beyond the farthest point that the foot of civilized man has ever trod, robed in a dress of white that rivals in purity the snow around, the great Snowy Owl dwells, a king even amid the monarchs of the air. Feathered to the bill and claws, no freezing blast has any effect on him ; and amid the twilight of an Arctic winter, his vision is as clear and far-reaching as is the Eagle's beneath the rays of a Tropical sun. Fearless, and confident in his own powers, he roams over the bleak fields of his northern home, or follows the Bears in their search for the Walrus and Seal, and shares their banquet with them. Beside the familiar birds of this family, there are also Ground or Burrow- ing Owls, which live in holes in the earth, arid do not shun the light of day. In these strange subterranean dwellings the bird lives in company with the marmot (commonly known as the Prairie dog), and the rattle-snake. It is doubtful if 64 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. the latter is a welcome sharer of the abode, and it may be imagined that at times it makes a meal of one or other of the occupants of the burrow. These little Ground Owls are frequently seen sitting at the mouths of their dwellings, into which, however, they disappear with astonishing rapidity at the first note of alarm. Colonies of the three creatures here named, so unsuitable and antagonistic to each other, are frequently met with on the prairies of the western world. In Southern lands the echoes of the night are often aroused by the gutteral notes of this nocturnal wanderer. As the sun declines below the horizon, from his place in the hollow of some tree where he has been sleeping away the day, the Owl begins to open wide his great eyes, and to bestir himself preparatory to the evening's campaign. After a few quick snaps of his mandibles, to prove to himself that they are in good working order, and a few lazy shakes of his plumage, the bird, apparently still only half-awake, comes forth to the entrance of his home. Many are the queer contortions he makes, as he stretches his neck about and peers around on every side, as though, like some near-sighted person, he stood in need of his eye-glasses ; while occasionally he places his bill in the centre of his back, at the . apparent imminent risk of dislocating his neck, and takes a good look into the burrow he has just quitted. As the night comes on, and the darkness deepens, - he becomes more lively, and as if disliking the silence of the grand old woods, shrieks forth an unearthly cry, or a few deep notes, as if undergoing strangulation, and. then stares around him, evidently highly satisfied with what he considers a very musical and meritorious performance. And now the moon has risen, tipping the waving leaves, and pencilling the rugged trunks of the forest trees with many a silver line, while the stars crowd :in myriads the tropical sky, and twinkle like diamonds in its clear vault. All nature is hushed to repose, and no sound disturbs the silence that reigns around, save the quiet rustling of the lofty branches, as they move gently to the breeze. This is the moment which our friend considers propitious to sally forth, and, after a few feints at starting, and a few elevations of his pinions, he quietly glides away. Noiselessly he sails among the trees, mindful of every object beneath him, ■his wonderfully constructed eyes, that cannot bear the light of day, permitting him -to see, as through a telescope, into the darkness of the forest- He swiftly threads the leafy lanes, avoiding, as if by magic, the innumerable twigs and branches- that intersect his flight, and is watchful at the same time for anything that may serve PLATE CATCHING A TARTAR, CATCHING A TARTAR. 65 to break his long fast since the previous night. A Httle weasel, Hkewise bent on an evening's marauding amid some oft-visited poultry yard, is quickly spied by the Owl, and, faster than the eye can follow, the stoop is made, and the nimble quad- ruped is a prisoner in the sharp claws of its winged foe. Rising again, the Owl mounts above the trees, and pursues his way towards a ruined tower that has served the purpose of a dining-room to him many times before. The bats wing their erratic flight around, and, with many a curious evolution, attend him as he goes. But suddenly, even in mid-air, his strokes become feeble, a single, harsh note is uttered, the wings then cease to beat and become fixed, and the upward course changes to a downward one ; and with outstretched claws and stiffened body, the bird falls headlong to the earth — a long line of escaped feathers floating lightly away from him as he descends. The reason of this catastrophe is soon told. When struck by the Owl, the weasel was seized by the back, and as he was borne aloft, the supple creature, like all of his tribe, was not inclined to yield without a struggle, and therefore twisting himself around, even as he was carried along, he seized the bird by the throat, and in mid-air slew it with his sharp teeth. No sooner was the earth reached than, springing lightly away, the nimble animal disappeared ; and the inanimate body of the bird alone remained to remind us, how often in the world, the cunning of an apparently feeble creature has proved more than a match for the strength of the most powerful. THE AMBUSCADE. HE modes are various by which animals in a state of nature are accustomed to seek their prey. Some, Hke the wolf, follow their victim at full speed until the poor animal, exhausted with its efforts to escape, sinks upon the ground, and easily succumbs to the onslaught of its indefatigable pursuer. But the most favourite and usual mode of a large number of wild creatures is to lie in ambush, and patiently wait until their prey comes unwittingly near, and then by a sudden spring strike it to the earth. Even some serpents, like the Boa-constrictor, pursue this method ; and darting down from a branch upon which they have lain concealed, envelope suddenly in their powerful folds the struggling victim, and soon crush it to death. Of all families, that of the Cats is preeminently noted for the stealthy approach which its members practise when seeking their prey. Lithe and supple of body, their feet padded with soft fur, so as to emit no sound in walking, and possessed of an amount of patience when watching for an opportunity to obtain a meal that is simply extraordinary, they will lie in wait for hours, and rarely make an unsuccessful spring. Crouched low upon the ground, behind a friendly thicket, or upon a branch of some favouring tree that overhangs the path usually taken by the animal it seeks, the legs drawn beneath the body, ever ready to make a sudden and desperate effort, the sharp-clawed, cunning creature watches the movements of its destined victim. THE AMBUSCADE. 67 The Lynx, which is the animal portrayed in the accompanying illustration, is one of the feebler members of the Cat Tribe, of which the Lion and the Tiger are the most majestic and powerful representatives. Some of the species of Lynx are of considerable size, but none are ever found so large as to become formidable to man. They prey upon goats and sheep and smaller animals, and also pay fre- quent visits to the poultry, if not too near the house ; for, like all wild cats, the Lynx is very shy and fearful of trusting itself in the vicinity of any habitation. Nocturnal in its ways, it sleeps throughout the day in some rocky fastness, coming forth at the going down of the sun, to begin its round of devastation and robbery. It rarely ventures to attack large animals, and then only after it has been rendered well-nigh desperate by long-continued hunger. The claws, though slender, are highly formidable, as they are very sharply pointed; and are apparently far better adapted for prehension, or seizing the prey, than for tearing away the skin. This latter operation seems to be the principal use to which the large cats, such as the Lion and Tiger, devote the great talons that arm their paws ; for usually these animals strike their victims to the earth by one powerful blow, and then employ their claws for removing the skin and exposing bare the flesh. In fact, the claws of the great Feles above alluded to, are usually split and broken at their points, but they can be pulled away from beneath until they become sharp again. This is caused by their constant growth, and as they are softer beneath than above, the point becomes broken off, and a split commences. After this has taken place, the points frequently grow inconveniently long, and it is to free themselves from this annoyance that all cats are in the habit of scratching at the carpets and legs of chairs, or else, when in a state of nature, upon the trunks and limbs of trees. Mr. Darwin has stated that the Puma, in Patagonia, where trees are scarce, when troubled by lengthened claws is accustomed to make deep scores in the bare, hard soil. Although some species are found in the warmer countries of the globe, such as Spain and the southern parts of North America, yet the Lynx may be called an inhabitant of the boreal regions of the earth ; its thick fur, which causes the animal to appear very much larger and heavier than is actually the case, enabling it to withstand intense cold without inconvenience. Generally they are solitary in their habits ; but there are certain species, such as the Caracal of Asia and Africa, which, unlike most cats, hunt in troops and overcome their prey by force of numbers. 68 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. They are long-legged, slender-bodied animals, and run with considerable swiftness, which is not usually the case with the cats of this section of the Family. The Caracal, too, is fond of dwelling upon the plains, while the other species affect the dense forests, where their stealthy ways 'enable them to surprise their prey, and where they most easily find places of concealment, in which they love to remain. The fur of the Lynx is much sought after. as an article of commerce, and so many thousands of these animals are killed every year in the far northern portion of North America, by the hunters attached to the great fur companies, that they are fast decreasing in numbers, and will probably soon become rare where formerly they were most abundant. The motions of this animal are made with great caution, as if it considered every step it took, particularly when it has perceived any game ; and if it is not able to ascertain the exact position of its prey, it will jump with lightning speed into some low branches, and there crouching beneath the overhang- ing foliage will wait the favourable moment for a spring. Such is the attitude of the animal in the engraving. The goats, all un- mindful of the vicinity of their fierce enemy, are browsing, in straggling, parties, nearer and nearer the fatal spot. Too cunning to lean forward, lest he rnay be seen by the approaching animals, the Lynx trusts to his ears to tell him of their posi- tion, while he crouches closer within his ambush. The green eyes, that exhibit so little real intelligence, glare with suppressed excitement, and one velvet paw, hiding the sharp claws, all ready to be thrust out, is pushed slightly forward upon the branch, and the entire animal is gathered for the onslaught. Soon the opportunity will come. Gradually the unsuspecting kids will arrive beneath the tree, browsing on the tender leaves, or cropping the mossy sward ; and while the playful animals gambol in fancied security, one will be selected from the flock, and then, like a flash, the Lynx will descend upon its victim, tearing it at once with both teeth and claws, and bearing it to the ground ; while its more fortunate companions, frightened at the unlooked-for attack, scamper away in all directions. If hot too heavy for it to lift, the Lynx will carry its prey into some thicket where it may satisfy its appetite concealed from all eyes, and will emerge once more, when aroused by the pangs of hunger, to seek its victim again from out another ambuscade. PLATE THE AMBUSCADE, THE AVALANCHE. HREE kinds of avalanches are more or less common in countries having high mountains — namely, ice-avalanches, ground-avalanches, and dust-ava- lanches. Ice-avalanches are either the offspring of glaciers which repose on steep ground, or of those whose career is cut short by cliffs or precipices. In the higher Alps, for example, it is an every day occurrence for huge slices to break away from hanging glaciers, and to go thundering down upon the snow-fields beneath. These falls may be partly attributed to the heat of the sun, and partly to the ever forward motion of the glaciers. From the fact that they generally originate and spend their force in the higher mountains, they are not usually dangerous either to life or to property, though instances have occurred when sad loss of the former or great destruction of the latter has followed the descent of their gigantic masses. These ice-avalanches which fall from the sides and from the terminal faces of glaciers not unfrequently follow channels down rocky chasms ; and as they descend by their wonted paths with great regularity, and are confined within narrow limits by the surrounding walls, it is sometimes possible to approach quite close, and to witness the fury of the ice-cataracts as they dash past, without incur- ring any risk. Mr. F. Galton pointed out some years ago in the pages of the Alpine Journal that this might be done with the avalanches which fall on the northern side of the Jungfrau, though he confessed in his description that he did not feel himself altogether safe whilst viewing them from so short a dis- tance. He said, that the first avalanche which fell whilst he was stationed at JO WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. the side of the gully "gave notice of its coming by a prodigious roar, and the appearance of an exceedingly menacing cloud of snow-dust, that was shot out far above my head. I knew not what was coming, and ran away as fast as I could, till I was reassured that all was right by the appearance of the ice- cataract in its wonted channel; when I hurried back again to its side, to rejoice in the storm and uproar. . . . The hurtling of the ice-balls in the depths of the ravine, and the crash of the huge hail-storm that issued at its foot, were almost frightful. The storm was remarkable for the irregularities of its outbursts. Frequently these were accompanied by vast gushes of water, due, I suppose, to some sub-glacial reservoir, whose foremost wall had toppled away and partly supplied the avalanche. Wind, in moderate blasts of cold air, accompanied each outburst." The terms ' ground,' and ' dust '-avalanches are applied to different varieties of snow-slips or slides. They are avalanches properly so-called, and the effects pro- duced by them are vastly more disastrous than those caused by ice-avalanches, as they will frequently descend to inhabited regions, and mow down thousands of trees^-whole forests — at a blow, overthrow solid buildings, and bury up entire hamlets. Even the wild animals that make the mountain's side their home, who are accustomed to the changing seasons, and alive to the perils that menace them, are sometimes surprised and overwhelmed by these snow-scourges. Notwithstand- ing their fleetness, the sure-footed and agile chamois perish like less gifted quadru- peds, and their skeletons or carcases are sometimes found in the spring-time im- bedded in avalanches. Instances ha,ve been known, too, of chamois being snowed- up, and starved to death, near the trunks of trees, beneath whose branches they had sought shelter. The branches, pressed down to the ground by the weight of the snow, have enclosed them as it were in a cage, and prevented their escape. Such cases, however, are rare, though it is common enough for chamois to take up their abode underneath fir-trees in the winter-time. Birds like the Grouse and Ptarmigan often perish in the snow. They fre- quently dive under it, when it is loose, either to take refuge from the cold, or from some winged enemy, and if it be towards evening when they enter it, they remain until the morning. Should then a sharp frost come on during the night, a hard crust is formed on the surface, through which the birds find it impossible to penetrate, and they then die of hunger. PLATE THE AVALAMCHE, THE AVALANCHE. 71 Besides birds and Chamois, even larger animals, such as deer, are at times entrapped in falling snow ; although, from their not being denizens of lofty moun- tain ranges, they are exposed merely to imitations of alpine avalanches, and the fleecy clouds that envelope them, do no more harm than perhaps to cover them for a few moments. Such an event is depicted in the accompanying engraving. Slowly wending their way amongst the passes of the Scottish hills, a num- ber of Red-deer are seeking better pasturing ground. They anticipate no danger in the rocky defile, and the antlered leader of the little band moves carelessly along with lowered head, intent, apparently, only upon the eatable articles he may be able to gather. The more timid hinds frequently lift their graceful heads, and throwing their pointed ears forward, snuff the pure, fresh breeze, in order to detect any danger that may be lurking near. So the deer move on, to incur a danger they are unable, with all their powers of sight and scent, to guard against. But a little distance before them, rising above the narrow ledge that forms a winding path at its base, a huge cliff towers upwards, bearing aloft a mantle of unsullied white. Harmless enough it appears in the sun-light, and gives no evidence of its speedy release from the mountain's side. Yet, as the deer approach, a few stones come hurtling down, as the snow-field begins to yield, and as they bound from side to side the buck stops, and tossing his armed head, blows sharply through his nostrils as he gazes at the falling rocks, while the hinds crowd timidly about him. But all is soon silent again, and the animals proceed on their way with confidence restored. As they arrive beneath the cliff, an indistinct, uncertain, murmuring sound is heard, and then suddenly, with the sound of distant thunder, the whole side of the hill seems moving towards the valley, and in a thick, tossing, fleecy cloud the snow descends upon the luckless deer. Apprized too late of their danger, with frantic leaps they endeavour to escape ; but the snow-fall is all about them, and bears them to the earth with its weight. However, struggling desperately, they soon cut through the yielding mass with their sharp hoofs, and although at first half- stunned as they emerge into the sun-light again, yet they soon gather their senses, and bound alqng the path, happy to have escaped such unexpected danger. Those who have scanned the preceding pages will have seen that Wild Animals, although in the majority of instances provided with various weapons 72 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. of offence and defence, are still subject to many perils both from the irresistible forces of nature, and also from the different members of the animal kingdom. Foremost as a destroyer stands Man, who does his will among the lower creatures, assaulting them with weapons against which they can oppose no adequate defence, and employing in the pursuit of his savage, or may be timorous quarry, an intellec- tual strategy, in comparison with which the instinctive cunning of the wild animal amounts to little more than no resource at all. Man's superiority over all other animated beings does not in any degree, however, affect the relationship of the lower creatures to each other. As man dominates over them all, so do some wild animals, by the possession of a greater instinct or physical force, govern others. Thus, the lion, by means of his great strength, and the fox by a wonderful sagacity, are both enabled to accomplish their desired ends ; while the elephant is endowed with a physical power equalled by few created beings, and ruled by an intelligence that at times appears almost human. The habits of all wild animals in their haunts are interesting in the highest degree, and worthy the most careful attention. It is hoped that from the preced- ing pages some general insight may have been gained of the modes of life of the various creatures which have formed the subjects of the illustrations ; and that as the reader lays down the book, here brought to a conclusion, he may carry away some new scrap of information, which will lead him to study the different mem- bers of the animal kingdom, and to contribute, in his turn, new facts derived from his own observation. i'-- A