Chatterbox Stories of Natural History | Page 8

who lived in a cottage, the principal room of
which was painted light blue. A good-natured old woman was there
with her two orphan grand-children. The red tiles of the cottage floor
were enlivened by a gray-and-white cat, and a shiny-skinned little pig,
of about a month old, which was fed out of a feeding-bottle. This was
the hero of the place.
The little pig is grateful for good treatment, and as capable of
attachment as a horse or a dog. The pig is intelligent, and it can be
taught tricks. Performing pigs are often the attractions of country fairs.
I have seen pigs in the poor neighborhoods of London follow their
masters through noisy streets, and into busy public-houses, where they
laid down at their masters' feet like a dog.
[Illustration]

BELL-RINGERS.
When a child, my father took me to see some feats performed by some
traveling cats. They were called "the bell-ringers," and were
respectively named Jet, Blanche, Tom, Mop, and Tib.
Five bells were hung at regular intervals on a round hoop erected on a
sort of stage. A rope was attached to each bell after the manner of
church bells. At a given signal from their master, they all sprang to
their feet, and at a second signal, each advanced to the ropes, and
standing on their hind feet, stuck their front claws firmly into the ropes,
which were in that part covered with worsted, or something of the kind,
so as to give the claws a firmer hold. There was a moment's pause--then
No. 1 pulled his or her rope, and so sounded the largest bell; No. 2
followed, then No. 3, and so on, till a regular peal was rung with almost

as much precision and spirit as though it were human hands instead of
cats' claws that effected it.
[Illustration]

THE GUINEA-PIG.
The Guinea-pig is a native of South America, and is remarkable for the
beauty and variety of its colors, and the neatness of its appearance.
These little pets are very careful in keeping themselves and their
offspring neat and tidy, and may be frequently seen smoothing and
dressing their fur, somewhat in the manner of a cat. After having
smoothed and dressed each other's fur, both turn their attention to their
young, from whose coats they remove the smallest speck of dirt, at the
same time trying to keep their hair smooth and unruffled. The
Guinea-pig feeds on bread, grain, fruit, vegetables, tea leaves, and
especially garden parsley, to which it is very partial. It generally gives
birth to seven and eight young at a time, and they very soon are able to
take care of themselves.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: FAITHFUL FRIENDS.]

[Illustration]
J--THE JAY.
Methinks the Jay's a noisy bird, Yet now with crimson breast, Silent
and fond, she watches o'er The treasures of her nest.
[Illustration]
K--THE KANGAROO.
The timid Kangaroo frequents The wild Australian brakes; With long

hind-legs and fore-legs short Tremendous leaps he takes.
[Illustration]
L--THE LION.
With tawny hide and flowing mane, And loud-resounding roar, Of
animals the Lion's king, And all bow down before.

WAITING.
Waiting for master to come down the stair, Are "Noble" and "Floss,"
and his favorite mare-- "Brenda" the gentle, with skin soft and gray,
Waiting the signal, "Now off and away."
Noble stands holding the whip and the rein, His gaze fixed on Brenda,
who tosses her mane; While dear little Floss sits quietly by, Winking
and blinking her liquid brown eye.
Master's so kind to them--nothing to fear Have horse or dogs when his
footsteps they hear; Look how they're waiting with eagerness there,
Ready to go with him everywhere.
And what a pleasure it is when these three There on the staircase their
kind master see; Now he is mounted, the waiting is o'er-- Floss, Brenda,
and Noble race off from the door.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: THE BABOON.
THE ORANG-OUTAN.
THE BARBARY APE.
THE MARIMONDA.]
[Illustration: THE FOUR-HORNED RAM.

THE CHAMOIS.
THE ETHIOPIAN HOG.
THE OTTER.]

THE ARGUS.
The Argus is a bird with magnificent plumage; it inhabits the forests of
Java and Sumatra, and takes its place beside the pheasant, from which
it only differs in being unprovided with spurs, and by the extraordinary
development of the secondary feathers of the wings in the male. The
tail is large and round, and the two middle feathers are extremely long
and quite straight. When paraded, as it struts round the female,
spreading its wings and tail, this bird presents to the dazzled eye of the
spectator two splendid bronze-colored fans, upon which is sprinkled a
profusion of bright marks much resembling eyes. It owes its name of
Argus to these spots.
[Illustration]

THE YOUNG MONKEY.
A little Monkey chanced to find A walnut in its outward rind;