Chatterbox Stories of Natural History | Page 5

THE SIASIN, OR ANTELOPE OF INDIA.
The Siasin, or Antelope of India, roams over the open and rocky plains
of that immense country. It is distinguished from the rest of its family
by the beauty and singular shape of its horns, which are annulated or
ringed, and spirally convoluted or curved together, making two or more
turns, according to the age of the animal. The fakirs and dervishes of
India, who are enjoined by their religion from carrying swords,
frequently wear at their girdles the polished horns of the siasin instead
of the usual military arm. This antelope is one of the fleetest-footed of
its family, and its leap is something wonderful. It is not uncommon for
it to vault to the height of twelve or thirteen feet, passing over ten or
twelve yards at a single bound. In color it is almost black on the upper
part of the body, and light-colored beneath. When full grown, it is
about the size of our common deer.
[Illustration]

THE COMMON SNIPE.
These birds frequent swampy woods, marshes, morasses, and the
borders of rivers. Their usual time for seeking their food is early in the
morning and during the twilight of the evening. They subsist
principally upon insects and worms; for these they search among the
decayed leaves, and probe the mud and ooze with their lengthened bills.
When alarmed, they generally lie close to the ground, or among the
grass, or, suddenly starting on the wing, escape by flight, which is short
but elevated, rapid, and irregular. The eggs, which are four in number,
are deposited on the ground. In the snipe, and all its immediate allies,
the bill is thickened, soft, and very tender at its extremity; so that this
part, which is richly supplied with nerves, serves as a delicate organ of

touch, and is used for searching in the soft ground for the insects and
worms that constitute the food of these birds.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: A VISIT TO THE MONKEYS.]

D--THE DOE.
Graceful and gentle is the Doe; Its tawny coat how sleek! How bright
yet tender are its eyes! Its glance how softly meek!
E--THE EAGLE.
Upon the lonely mountain peak The eagle builds her nest, And there,
when weary of the chase, In silence takes her rest.
F--THE FOX.
The Fox will skulk in ferny brake, Yet loves the haunts of men; And
prowls around the farm, to pounce On capon, goose, or hen.

MRS. BUNNY AND FAMILY.
This wild Rabbit has been startled by some noise, and the next moment
she may be scampering away to her burrow, with the little bunnies, at
the top of their speed, and crouch there until all is quiet again. Rabbits
usually select, if possible, a sandy soil overgrown with furze, in which
to make their burrows, as such a soil is easily removed, and the dense
prickly furze hides their retreat, whilst it affords them a wholesome and
never-failing food. These furze bushes are constantly eaten down, as far
as the rabbits can reach standing on their hind legs, and consequently
present the appearance of a solid mass with the surface even and
rounded. These animals retire into their burrows by day to rest, and
come out only in the twilight to obtain food.

[Illustration]

THE LYNX.
The body of the lynx, beautifully spotted with black and brown rings, is
more solid and hardy than that of the wild cat. His ears are longer, his
tail is shorter, his great eyes light up like bright flames; and since he
prowls about chiefly at night, he is thought to have very keen sight. For
this reason, when we wish to say that a person can see very clearly or
can look beyond the outward appearance of things, we call him
lynx-eyed. Like all cats, the lynx possesses in his mustache a very
correct power of feeling. This, with the sense of hearing and sight,
guides him in all his expeditions.
The lynx in the picture is in the act of springing upon a timid hare.
Although he can measure twenty paces in a jump, I think for once he
has made a misstep, and the dear little creature with one more bound
will be safe. One very remarkable fact about these animals is this: if
there are several together, and one starts over the snow in pursuit of
booty, all the others will follow in exactly the same tracks, so that it
will look as if but one lynx had passed over the snow-covered earth.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: GOOD MORNING, BIRDIE!]

THE SWAN AND THE DRAKE.
Slowly, in majestic silence, Sailed a Swan upon a lake; Round about
him, never quiet, Swam a noisy quacking Drake.
"Swan," exclaimed the latter, halting, "I can scarcely comprehend Why