Chatterbox Stories of Natural History | Page 2

their
journey a vain one, and that she would kick severely, and perhaps break
the legs of the person bold enough to take away her darling.
[Illustration]

MRS. BRUIN AND FAMILY.
This is the American black bear, who is looking so lively and
seemingly inviting the young folks to have a romp, which they will be
only too willing to join in. The black bear is of a timid disposition, and
seldom attacks man except in self-defense. The female bear is a most
affectionate mother, and many stories are related showing her care and
love for her young, and her sorrow and mournful cries when any evil
befalls them. On one occasion a black bear with her two cubs was

pursued across the ice by some armed sailors. At first she urged her
cubs to increased speed, but finding her pursuers gaining upon them,
she carried, pushed, and pitched them, alternately, forward, until she
effected their escape from her pursuers.
[Illustration]

LITTLE OWLS.
Who has not at one time or other of his life read fairy tales and
sympathized with stories of enchanted princes and princesses? I once
thought of this when a country boy offered me a nest with four of the
young of the Little Owl. I put them into a large cage, where they could
stare at each other and at my pigeons to their hearts' content.
Let me say that this little owl is a very useful bird, for it keeps mice,
bats, beetles, and other creatures in check, which might otherwise
multiply too fast. On a spring or summer evening you may hear its
plaintive hoot among the apple-blossoms of an orchard, or the sheaves
of a cornfield. Curiously enough, this simple sound earned the little
bird the name of being the harbinger of death, and peasants believed
that whenever its cry was heard where sickness was in the family, the
patient was sure to die.
[Illustration]

AUROCHS.
An Aurochs in blind rage, charging through thick and thin, has had a
fascination for me as long as I can remember. The true aurochs and this,
the European Bison, ceased to exist in the British Isles, except in the
Zoological Gardens; but the latter is still found wild in Lithuania, and is
also carefully preserved in other parts of Russia, of which the Emperor
has a herd. There is much talk about their being untamable--that they
will not mix with tame cattle--that tame cows shrink from the aurochs'

calves; but does not any cow shrink from any calf not her own? The
American Bison, with which you are all pretty familiar, is very similar
to the one just mentioned. There have been several attempts made to
domesticate the American bison, and have been so far successful. The
size and strength of the animal make it probable that if domesticated, it
would be of great use.
[Illustration]

THE KANGAROO.
"Well," said little Herbert Joyce, as he looked over the books of
drawings which his cousin had just brought home from Australia, "I
never saw anything so extraordinary before in all my life; why here is
an animal with three heads, and two of them are very low down, and
much smaller than the others." "What do you mean, Herbert?" asked
his cousin, who just then came into the room. "There are no
three-headed animals--let me see the picture. Oh! no wonder you were
puzzled; it does look like a queer creature. That is a kangaroo, and the
small heads belong to her children, whom she carries about in a bag
formed by a hole in her skin, until they are old enough to walk; and the
little things seem very happy there; and sometimes, as their mother
moves along over the grass, you may see them nibbling it."
[Illustration]

THE PEACOCK.
Proud bird! I watched thee stalking by, With stately step and slow, As
though thou fain would'st charm each eye With glittering pomp and
show:
And truly thou art brave to see, In heaven's hues arrayed, And plainer
birds at sight of thee Might shrink and be dismayed:

Yet, pampered bird! there still are those I value higher far, Albeit their
garb nor glints nor glows With many a jeweled star.
I love them for their gentle ways, Their voices soft and sweet In
summer chorus, that repays Right well their winter's meat.
For what is outward form at best But accident of birth? That form in
splendid raiment drest Is still but common earth.
And yet 'tis he whose painted plumes Shine fairest in the sun, Who
haughtiest look of pride assumes, As though by him 'twere done.
We smile to see yon bird strut by, Thus proud of his array; But human
friends we may espy As foolish every day.
Not beauty's