Chatterbox Stories of Natural History Part 5

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.

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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.

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[Ill.u.s.tration: FAITHFUL FRIENDS.]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

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._

[Ill.u.s.tration]

K--THE KANGAROO.

_The timid Kangaroo frequents The wild Australian brakes; With long hind-legs and fore-legs short Tremendous leaps he takes._

[Ill.u.s.tration]

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 "n.o.ble" and "Floss," and his favorite mare-- "Brenda" the gentle, with skin soft and gray, Waiting the signal, "Now off and away."

n.o.ble 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 n.o.ble race off from the door.

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[Ill.u.s.tration: THE BABOON.

THE ORANG-OUTAN.

THE BARBARY APE.

THE MARIMONDA.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: 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.

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THE YOUNG MONKEY.

A little Monkey chanced to find A walnut in its outward rind; He s.n.a.t.c.hed the prize with eager haste, And bit it, but its bitter taste Soon made him throw the fruit away.

"I've heard," he cried, "my mother say (But she was wrong), the fruit was good; Preserve me from such bitter food!"