The Otter

A river otter enjoys his meal.

        This  great  fish-hunter  inhabited  the  river-banks  of  many  countries,  and  was  usually  much  hated for  the  damage  it  did  to  the  river-folk in the past.  In  England, long ago,  otter-hunting  was  a national  sport.  A  pack  of  wire-haired  shaggy  hounds  would swim  or  wade  in  the stream,  while  terriers  ran  along  the  bank  to  start  the  game.  Hunters  with long  poles  followed  on  foot,  and  the  poor  beast  was  chased  until  it  was  brought  to bay.
       The  otter  still is both cunning  and  brave.  You will often see it fighting  desperately  for  its  life  or  cubs. Its  body  is  long  and  very  supple,  and  its  fur  is  of  a  fine  texture.  On  land  it makes  a  good  stand  against  its  enemies,  but  in  the  water  it  is  a  match  for  anything its own size.     The  otter,  if  taken  while  young,  is  easily  tamed. Some  years  ago  a  Scottish  gentleman  owned  an  otter,  which  he  taught  to catch  fish  at  his  command.  The  otter  would  take  not  only  salmon  from  the river,  but  it  would  take  cod  out  of  the  sea,  swimming  bravely  through  the waves  in  search  of  prey.  When  it  got  tired,  nothing  would  induce  it  to  go into  the  water  again.     It  was  always  given  part  of  the  fish  as  a  reward,  and then  it  would  fall  down  asleep,  and  have  to  be  carried  home.  This  animal became  so  tame  that  if  it  was  frightened  it  would  rush  to  its  master  for safety.
       There was also an  otter  in  the  London  Zoo who  had  two  little  cubs,  which  had  fallen  into  a tank  full  of  water.  Although  they  could  swim  splendidly,  there  was  danger  of their  being  drowned  when  they  got  tired.  The  mother  otter  made  an  attempt to  get  them  out  by  reaching  down  from  the  top.  At  last,  however,  she  got into  the  tank  herself,  and  making  a  natural  bridge  of  her  back  and  fore-paws,  the  youngsters  were  able  to  scramble  up  in  safety.
       The  river  otter  may still be spied in the wild  and  anyone  who  is  willing  to  spend  an hour  or  so  sitting  perfectly  still  near  a  shaded  woodland  stream,  may  see  the cunning  creature  busily  searching  for  prey.  The  length  of  the  otter's  body  is about  two  feet,  and,  including  the  tail,  nearly  three  feet.

The  Sea  Otter  is  nearly  twice  the  size  of  the  land  otter.
It  lives  on  the Northern  Pacific  coast,  and may be seen  
feeding  entirely  on  sea  fish  and  what it  can  pick  up  on
  the  shore.

The Brown Bear

A brown bear licks it's paws after eating wild honey and berries.

        The  Brown  Bear  is  fairly  common  in  Europe  and  Asia.  In  a  wild  state it  grows  to  a  very  large  size,  but  directly  it  is  confined  in  a  cage  it  ceases  to develop  and  remains  comparatively  small  all  its  life.
       The  brown  bear  lives  mainly  upon  roots,  leaves,  and  honey,  consequently, it  does  not  make  many  inroads  on  the  farmers'  cattle.
       The  brown  bear  is  easily  tamed  and  becomes  very  affectionate,  and  will follow  its  owner  about  like  a  dog.  It  was  frequently  seen  in the past in  shows  and  circuses, where  it  is  made  to  dance  upon  its  hind  legs. 

Kids can learn to draw a brown bear at Thrifty Scissors.

Big Bear by Silem.

Oh Bear, big Bear

What do you see

From high up there

Beneath the tree?

I see the brook

Far, far below,

The valley red

With the evening's glow.

I see the rocks,

And silent meadows

Turn purple in 

The creeping shadows.

Oh Bear, big Bear

Whom do you love

As you stand there

So far above

The meadow and 

The giant trees?

Whom do you love?

Oh, tell me please!

I love my life

And pleasant food.

I love the sun,

And cliffs and wood.

I love sweet smells

And mountains tall.

I love my babies

Best of all.

The Polar Bear

        In  the  Arctic  regions  lives  the  Polar  Bear.     This  mighty  animal  is  as large  as  any  of  the  bears  found  in  warmer  countries.     It  lives  entirely  on flesh  and  fish,  its  chief  food  being  seals,  which  it  has  a  very  clever  way  of catching.  Finding  a  number  of  seals  asleep  on  a  piece  of  floating  ice,  the bear  quietly  swims  toward  them,  and  then  suddenly  appears  right  under  their noses.  If  the  frightened  seals  leap  into  the  water  the  bear  will  have  them before  they  can  get  away,  while  if  they  try  to  escape  over  the  ice,  their  swift-footed  enemy  quickly  climbs  out  of  the  water  and  catches  them  before  they  can reach  a  place  of  safety.     This  trick  is  played  over  and  over  again.
       The  polar  bear  can  stay  under  water  for  quite  a  long  time.  Its  swimming powers  are  greater  than  those  of  any  other  animal  except,  of  course,  the  whale, dolphin,  and  seal.  A  polar  bear  has  been  known  to  swim  from  one  island  to another,  a  distance  of  over  fifty  miles.  Moreover,  it  is  very  expert  in  the water,  and  can  catch  the  largest  and  swiftest  fish  with  ease.
       The  polar  bear  makes  a  dangerous  enemy,  for  its  temper  is  uncertain,  and it  will  attack  man  without  any  reason.  Its  jaws  are  of  great  strength,  while  its claws  will  tear  their  way  through  the  hardest  wood.  Its  fur  is  enormously  thick, right  down  to  the  extremities  of  its  feet,  and  consequently  it  is  well  protected from  the  Arctic  cold  and  from  the  sharp  pieces  of  ice  that  it  walks  over.  Its color  varies  from  a  pure  white  to  a  pale  yellowish  tint.

Polar bear brothers explore an old boat.

An Arctic Suit by J. M.
Behold this polar bear and see
A case of Nature's skilled design.
See how this creature's coat and form
With all his habitat combine.
"But why is this?'' I hear you ask.
To hide from natural enemies,
To creep unnoticed and unseen
Upon the prey he plainly sees.
He wears protective coloring,
Llike many creatures, strong and weak.
Oh dear, I wish that I might, too,
When I am playing hide-and-seek!

The Badger

       On  a  warm  summer  evening,  if  you  go  to  some  quiet  spot  where  no  one passes,  and  there  are  lots  of  trees,  you  may  see  a  Badger,  whose  beautiful black  and  white  coat  glides  in  and  out  among  the  grass  like  a  will-o'-the-wisp. Although  harmless  and  good-natured,  the  badger  is  a  great  fighter  when aroused.  In  olden  times  it  used  to  be  matched  against  several  dogs  at  once, and  often  gave  a  good  account  of  itself.  It  has  short,  stubby  legs  and  a  dog- like snout.  Its  teeth are  very  strong  and  sharp.  A  badger  mother  rears  her young  in  a  burrow,  generally  among  the  roots  of  trees.  This  is  dug  out  by the  male  badger,  and  serves  for  a  living-place  and  store-house.  When  the badger  is  busy  burrowing  you  can  come  quite  close  to  it,  for  it  is  so  intent upon  its  work  that  it  does  not  notice  anything  around  it.  Many  people  imagine that  the  badger  is  stupid, but  in  reality  it  is  very  clever,  and  anyone  who has  attempted  to  trap  one  will  agree  in  this.  It  is  easily  tamed,  and  becomes quite  affectionate.  The  badger  is  not  as  rare  as  many  people  think.  Its  habits are  quiet,  and  it  moves  along  so  stealthily  that  you  might  be  within  a  few yards  of  one  and not  know  it.  It  is  more  often  betrayed  by  its  strong  smell than  by  any  sound  it  will  make. 

The badger has a beautiful black and white coat.

Six Little Pigs

 

 

Six Little Pigs by Harvey Peake.

SIX little Piggies, very much alive,
Oldest one was musical, that left only five.

Five little Piggies, eating more and more,

One of them became a hog, that left only four.

 

Four little Piggies, round as they could be,

One rolled off the picture, that left only three.

 

Three little Piggies, hunting something new,

One found it in a bee hive, that left only two.

 

Two little Piggies tried to race to run,

One Piggie beat the other, leaving only one.

 

One little Piggie, very much bereft,

Grieved so much he pined away, not a one was left.

The Armadillo

 

The Armadillo
by George Cassard

A Mighty lucky animal
I think the Armadillo
For, when it's time to go to bed,
He rolls up in a ball instead
And winds himself around his head,
Which serves him as a pillow.

And when the morning comes again,
They never call and shake him.
He never gapes, and grunts, and groans,
And hears them say in startling tones:
''Get up, you awful lazy bones!"
The never try to wake him.

The Entellus Monkey

        The  Entellus  Monkey  is a  native  of  India.  It  is  not  small, by  any  means,  measuring  nearly thirty-six  inches  in  length,  not counting  the  tail.  They  belong to  the  family  of  Indian  monkeys that  is  sacred.  This  fact  makes them  very  bold  and  impudent. They  enter  villages,  sit  in  the porches  and  sills  (preferably those  of  the  pastry-cook  and corn  -  sellers),  and  from  there steal  when  the  master's  back  is turned,  while  the  poor  pastry-cook is  not  allowed  to  revenge  himself,  but  simply  sighs  and  keeps  a  better watch.
       The  origin  of  this  monkey-reverence  is  said  to  lie  in  the  fact  that  its  skeleton bears  some  resemblance  to  man,  and  long ago the  natives  believed  that  the  souls  of the  departed  came  back,  and  were  reincarnated  in  the  monkeys.  To  molest one  would  rouse  the  whole  village  to  fury,  and  there  were  many  instances  on record  where  hunters  came  to  grief  by  doing  so.
       Though  these  monkeys  live  a  secluded  life  under  human  protection, there  is  always  one deadly  enemy  on  the  watch,  the  snake,  which  crawls stealthily  after  them  among  the  branches. The  monkey,  grown  careless through  life  with  man,  falls  an  easy  victim  to  the  snake's  fangs. When  a snake  is  discovered,  the  whole  neighborhood  boils  with  excitement,  and  the yelling band pelts  and  harasses  the  invader,  always keeping  well  out  of  its  way,  however. Occasionally the tables  are  turned,  for  if  a  monkey finds  a  snake  asleep  in  a  high  tree,  it  creeps down to assure itself  that  it  is  no  trick. Then it  will  do  one  of  two  things,  either  push  the  snake  off suddenly from  its  perch, hoping  that  the  fall  will  injure  it,  or,  boldly  seizing  it  behind  the head,  scamper with  it  to  the  ground.    There  it  will  dash  its  head  against  a wall  or  among stones,  pausing every  once  in  awhile  to  see  how  the  work  is  progressing. Once  the  fangs  are  crushed,  so  as  to be  harmless,  the  poor  reptile  is  thrown among  the  young  monkeys,  who torment  it  still  further, until  it  is  dead. When  the  entellus  monkey  is  not  living  near  a  village, it  carries  on  its raids  in much  the  same  manner  among  the  jungle-folk.  Should  a  tiger  appear, the  monkey  climbs  to  the highest  branches,  and  from  there  insults  the royal  beast  below.
       The  long  tail  of  the  species  does  not  seem  to  be  of  much  benefit  to  the owner,  unless,  perhaps,  for  balancing  purposes ;  but  as  a  fifth  arm  it  is  never used.  The  general  color  of  this  monkey  is  a  dark  grayish-brown,  although when  young  it  is  several  shades  lighter.  The  hands  and  feet  are  black,  and there  is  also  some  black  around  the  head. 

One the entellus monkey is safe up a tree, it will torment all of it's enemies below.

 

 

 

 

"The Monkey at the Zoo'' sheet music

The Strange Looking Gnu

A bucking gnu.

       Here  is  an  animal  called  the  Gnu,  which  seems  to  be  made  up  of  odds and  ends: the  legs  of  an  antelope,  the  body  of  a  horse,  the  tail  of  a  mule,  and the  head  of  a  bull.  The  early  Dutch  settlers  in  South  Africa  called  the  animal "wildebeest,"  and  they  had  good  reason  for  it.  This  strange  animal's  way  of living  is  almost  as  odd  as  its  appearance.  Like  most  antelopes,  it  is  very curious,  and  all  a  hunter  has  to  do  when  he  wants  to  get  a  shot  at  one  is  to lie  down  in  the  grass  and  wave  a  red  handkerchief.  The  startled  creatures  at once  gallop  off  as  if  they  never  meant  to  stop,  then  suddenly  they  all  pull  up and  look  at  each  other  as  if  trying  to  find  out  who  said  "  run  "  first.  Before they  can  make  up  their  minds,  some  of  the  males  will  begin  fighting,  and  the band  will  look  on  as  though  there  was  not  a  waving  red  handkerchief  within miles.  Then  the  whole  band  will  begin  whisking  their  tails  and  kicking  up their  heels  like  colts  and  dash  off  again.  Now  this  is  where  the  curiosity comes  in.  Apparently  they  have  forgotten  all  about  the  red  handkerchief,  but they  have  not.  The  band  will  come  back  to  where  they  started  from  and  gallop furiously  round  and  round  the  concealed  hunter,  always  narrowing  the  circle until  they  come within  easy  gunshot.  Sometimes  they  come  too  close  and one  old  fellow  will  charge  furiously.  The  hunter  has  to  look  out  for  himself then,  for  the  temper  and  strength  of  the  gnu  are  not  to  be  tampered   with. The  gnu  is  often  found  in  the  company  of  other  animals.  In  fact,  it  is  a  common sight  to  see  them  rushing  over  the  field  in  the  midst  of  zebras,  antelopes, and  ostriches.     They  appear  to  live  peaceably  together.

The gnu heard stare down a pack of hungry wolves.

The Magnificent Buffalo

       The  Buffalo  of  Asia,  Africa,  and  India  is  a  magnificent  animal.  The horns  of  the  Indian  variety  frequently  measure  as  much  as  twelve  feet  from tip  to  tip.  The  strength  of  the  animal  is  enormous,  and  its  thick-set  limbs are  capable  of  great  endurance.  Its  speed  for  its  size  and  build  is  almost incredible.  The  buffaloes  love  water,  and  can  always  be  found  near  swampy ground,  where  they  roll  themselves  in  the  mud  until  their  skin  is  thoroughly caked.  This  serves  to  keep off  flies  and  mosquitoes.  The  temper  of  the  buffalo is  uncertain,  as  may  be  gathered  from  looking  into  its  face,  which  always shows  the  same  scowling  ferocity.  The  hunting  of  this  animal  is  very  difficult, as  its  skin,  which  looks  at  a  distance  like  rubber,  is  so  tough  that  it  will almost  turn  a  bullet  away.  To  kill  a  buffalo  with  a  single  shot  is  nearly impossible.  Should  the  brute  be  only  wounded,  it  will  charge  at  once.  When fairly  roused  its  fury  is  frightful  to  behold.  It  tears up  the  ground  with  its horns  and  wreaks  its  vengeance  upon  the  nearest  thing  at  hand.  Whether the  buffalo  is  dealing  with  man  or  beast,  it  never  leaves  its  victim  until  it  has trampled  every  trace  of  life  out  of  it.  The  great  hunter,  Sir  Samuel  Baker, mentions  having  seen  a  buffalo  beat  off  a  pair  of  lions  which  had  attacked  it. On  another  occasion  he  saw  a  buffalo  pulled  down  by  four  lions,  but  only  after a  battle  which  lasted  a  couple  of  hours. 

       In  the  spring  the  old  bulls  have  great  battles  among  themselves  for  the possession  of  the  females.    They  become  so  absorbed  in  the  fight  that  one  can come  easily  near  them;  but  should they  happen  to  catch  sight  of  the  intruder, they  are  liable  to  both  drop  their  quarrel  and  charge  together.  Unless  a  tree is  handy,  and  a  thick  one  at  that,  the  result  is  unpleasant.  When  a  bull  has defeated  its  rival  and  driven  it  off  the  field  of  glory,  the  old  rascal  sets  out  to look  for  another  one  to  fight.  On  one  occasion  a  victorious  buffalo  was  seen to  drive  its  long  horns  into  the  flanks  of  its  foe  and  kill  it.

The Restless Rhesus Monkey

        The  Rhesus  Monkey, the  monkey  made  famous  by  Kipling  in  his Jungle  Stories, is  the  true  Bander  of  the  Hindoos.  They  have  a  restless, quarrelsome  disposition,  and  appear  to  lead aimless  lives.  As  they  are  another branch  of  the  sacred  monkeys  of  India,  they  feel  at  liberty  to  plunder the  stores  and  gardens  of  their  protectors  without  showing  the  slightest  fear. It  has  been  agreed  on  all  sides  that  for  cunning  and  insolence  they  have  no equal.

A family of Rhesus monkeys by the water.

       Once, long ago, a  district  magistrate  in  Bengal  had  a  number  of  fine  peach-trees,  the  fruit of  which  he  was  very  proud,  and  therefore  anxious  to  save.     Now  the  local Rhesus  monkeys  had  also  taken  a  fancy  to  these  same  peaches,  and  forthwith  a war  began  between  the  man  and  the  beasts.  First  of  all,  a  Hindoo  was  put on  guard,  but  the  monkeys  cared  little  or  nothing  for  him,  well  knowing  that his  caste  and  religion  forbade  him  injuring  them.  Now  the  white  man  in  India did  not  care  an  atom  for  the  monkey in those days,  for  he  had  no  scruples  about  their sanctity,  and  if  they  did steal  from  him,  he  punished  them  as  much  as  he  dared without  offending  the  natives.  So  one day a  white  man  mounted  guard  over  the  peach trees.  The  monkeys  came  into  the  orchard  boldly  enough,  but  this  man chased  them  off,  using  his  stick  freely. The  marauders,  astonished  beyond measure,  retired  to  the  top  of  the  high  trees  to  consult.  For  a  long  time  they coughed,  chattered,  pulled  tails,  and  shook  the  branches  with  excitement  and rage  until  they  agreed  upon  a  plan.  They  divided  into  bands.  First  one would  pretend  to  enter  the  orchard,  and  when  the  guard  flew  at  them  another band  would  swarm  over  the  bamboo  fence  and  scramble  up  the  trees,  shaking the  branches  and  causing  a  shower  of  ripe,  golden  peaches.  Meanwhile  others would  scamper  round  on  the  ground,  grabbing  up  what  they  could,  and  then once  more  retire,  chattering  with  delight,  to  the  safety  of  the  high  trees.  The sun  being  hot  and  the  man  out  of  breath,  he  naturally  lost  his  temper  and went  for  a  gun.  This  did  not  trouble  the  monkeys,  for  they  had  seen  weapons pointed  at  them  before,  but  never  fired.  The  man  rushed  to  the  fence  upon which  a  number  of  monkeys  were  still  perched,  and,  picking  out  one  offender, he  fired.  The  poor  creature  set  up  a  howl  of  pain  as  it  fell,  and  then,  to  the amazement  of  the  man,  held  out  to  him  its  bloody,  shattered,  little  hand.  In a  moment  or  two  it  toppled  over  dead,  and,  regardless  of  the  danger,  the other  monkeys  scrambled  over  the  fence  and  bore  the  body  away.  The  result was  that  the  monkeys  retired  from  that  spot,  and  the  magistrate  gathered  his peaches  in  peace;  but  the  man  never  after  raised  a  gun  to  a  monkey, feeling quite guilty of his crime.

A Winter Artist

A Winter Artist
by Clara R. Bete

Winter time has come again.
Jack Frost, on the windowpane,
With the greatest care will trace
Patterns finer than old lace;
Fairies, flowers, and ferns he'll etch,
Or perhaps will make a sketch
Of a castle with a wall,
Or a maiden straight and tall.

O Jack Frost, it seems to me
Kind and skillful you must be-
You draw things that give delight,
And do it all in just one night!

Kites On High!

 Kites On High!
by Robert Louis Stevenson

I saw you toss the kites on high
And blow the birds about the sky;
And all around I heard you pass,
Like ladies' skirts across the grass.
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!

I saw the different things you did,
But always you yourself you hid.
I felt you push, I heard you call,
I could not see yourself at all.
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!

O you, that are so strong and cold,
O blower, are you young or old?
Are you a beast of field and tree,
Or just a stronger child then me?
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!

Animal Alphabet, U through Z

The UNICORN
Had but one horn
To jab his foeman with;
It would not do
To search the zoo
For him, for he's a myth.

The toughest bird

Of which I've heard

Without doubt is the VULTURE.

He steals and slays,

And all his ways

Proclaim he has no culture.

The WILDCAT'S name

Shows he's not tame;

He's anything but mild.

His friends are few;

He knows it, too,

And that's what makes him wild.

Let's not discuss

The XIPHIAS,

I'm sure you would be bored.

the only thing

Interesting

About him is his sword.

It's well to stay

Quite far away

From YELLOW-JACKET'S nest.

For he can sting

Like anything;

That's what he does the best.

The old ZEBU

Would hardly do

To ride upon the street.

Though he knows how

To pull a plow,

He's anything but fleet.

Ross F. Taylor

1rst and 2nd and 3rd and 4th pages

Animal Alphabet, N through T

 Some call the NEWT 
A savage brute,
And say we should avoid him.
But I've not seen
Him very mean,
Unless some one annoyed him.

 

The OYSTER'S brain
Weighs but a grain;
He's ignorant, and yet
He's very kind,
And you will find
He makes a lovely pet.

I would suggest

You don't molest

The prickly PORCUPINE.

His quills might be

Quite nice to see -

They do not feel so fine.

The mountain QUAIL

Likes snow and hail

And chilly weather most.

He's very good

Out in the wood;

He's better upon toast.

RHINOCEROS

Looks cross to us,

And rather loose and lumpy;

But I suppose

A horny nose

Would make us grim and grumpy.

The SNAIL, you know,

Is very slow;

He doesn't dare to roam

Without his shack

Upon his back,

So he'll always be at home.

The TIGER knows

A lot of foes;

'Most all the creatures fear him.

I you should meet

Him in the street,

You'd best not linger near him.

1rst and 2nd and 3rd and 4th pages

Animal Alphabet, G through M

 The billy GOAT
Can't sing a note;
He has no education.
But it is said
He'll use his head
And cause great consternation.

 

The HIPPOPOT-

AMUS is not

The handsomest of creatures.

But then it would 

Be very rude

To criticize his features.

It's foolish, quite

To quake with fright

At the harmless, tame ICHNEUMON.

I must admit

I'm scared of it;

But then, I'm only human.

The JELLYFISH

Has no ambish;

He drifts around the sea;

He's satisfied 

To ride the tide;

He's wretched company.

The KANGAROO

Feels very blue

Because his legs don't mate.

Unless he trims

His long hind limbs,

He can't improve his gait.

Nobody thinks

Much of the LYNX;

In fact, he much berated.

He's very sly,

and that is why

He's not domesticated.

The MASTODON

Is dead and gone;

Quite naturally, I think

He made his home

Way up 'round Nome;

No wonder he's extinct.

1rst and 2nd and 3rd and 4th pages

Animal Alphabet, A through F

 A New Animal Alphabet by John Martin
 

The ALBATROSS Can fly across
The sea in ninety days.
It is agreed
That such a great speed
Entitles him to praise.

 

The BEAVER'S bite

Must be a fright

If properly inflicted.

If he bites me

I hope to see

Him speedily convicted.

 

The sand-hill CRANE

Is very vain

Of his ability

To stand a week 

Out in the creek

On one extremity.

The first of four sheets for the illustrated Animal Alphabet.

A fearful beast, 
To say the least,
Was the ancient DINOSAURUS.
He was so great,
We're fortunate
He died long years before us. 

The slippery EEL

Would doubtless feel

Sincere humiliation,

Should you mistake

Him for a snake;

They're really no relation.

It seems to me

The little FLEA

Is very justly hated.

I know that I'd

Be satisfied

Had he not been created.

1rst and 2nd and 3rd and 4th pages

The Oryx

The Oryx defends itself with deadly, beautiful horns.

       The  Oryx  is  famous  for  its  beautiful  horns.  These  weapons  have  a  graceful curl  to  them  and  are  often  three  feet  long.  They  are  covered  with  rings, while  the  ends  are  smooth  and  very sharp.  It  is  fairly  common  all  over  South Africa,  living,  like  the  gazelle,  in  bands.  It  is  not  nearly  so  timid  as  the  former, and  when  wounded  shows  considerable  spirit.  It  is  apt  to  lie  quite  still  until the  hunter  comes  near,  then  suddenly  charges  with  lowered  head  and  horns well  out.     These  wounds  usually  prove  fatal.
       In  the  early  days  of  South  Africa  the  oryx  used  to  wander  over  the  land in  huge  herds.  So  many  thousands  traveled  together  that  everything  green was  eaten  till  the  country  looked  as though  it  had  been  swept  by  locusts. 

The White-Bearded Diana Monkey

Diana monkeys have white beards.

       Who  has  visited  any  zoological  collection  and  failed  to  see  the  beautiful white-bearded  Diana  Monkey?  This  spotless,  fussy  little  creature  is  the most  beautiful  of  all  the  monkey  tribes. Although  the  Diana  monkey  is  a tropical  animal,  it  lives  well  in  captivity,  and,  from  the cleanliness  of  its  habits, makes  a  good  pet.     A  proof  of  its  fussy  habits  is  shown  in  the  following:
      A  Diana  monkey  was  once  given  a  peach  through  the  bars  of  its  cage,  and on  account  of  the angry  mutterings  of  the  monkeys  around  it,  the  little  creature feared  it  would  be  stolen  from  it.  After  the  peach  was  eaten,  the  stone  had been  cracked  and  the  kernel  extracted  and  finished,  the  white  beard  under  its chin  was  stained  with  peach-juice.  The  monkey  was  much  disturbed,  and went  to  work  and  cleaned  it  until  every  speck  of  dirt  and  stain  had  gone,  and its  fur  stood  out  as  fluffy  as  before.

Billy's Whiskers

 

Billy's Whiskers

Billy Goat had whizzy whiskers

Underneath his chin and where
All the merry little breezes
Might just toss it here and there.

Billy loved his whizzy whiskers,

But he truly loved them best

When they covered up his bosom

Better than a fancy vest.

''Why wear vests when I have whiskers?

Wherefore even wear a coat,

When my whiskers serve the purpose?

Proudly whispered Billy Goat.

But one day a cross tornado

Whisked his whiskers off, I'm told;

Thus divesting Bill of whiskers.

Now he shivers with the cold.

The Yak, Or Grunting Ox

Yak also called the Grunting Ox.

        The  Yak,  or  grunting  ox,  gets  its  name  from  the  peculiar  noise  it  makes. This  magnificent  creature  lives  in  the  Pamirs,  or  high  country  between  the Himalayas,  Russia,  and  China.  These  vast  plains  reach  for  many  miles,  and are  more  elevated  than  the  European  snow-line.  That  is  why  the  Pamirs  are called  the  roof  of  the  world.  Over  the  immense  tracks  of  Thibet  the  yak  wanders, either  in  small  companies  or  just  by  itself.  It  feeds  upon  the  grasses which  are  found  in  summer,  and  in  winter  digs  them  up  out  of  the  snow.  Its nose  is  strongly  built,  so  that  it  can  push  away  the  snow  which  covers  its  food. Its  sense  of  smell  is  also  very  keen,  and  enables  it  not  only  to  detect  its  food when  covered,  but  also  to  scent  enemies  at  a  great  distance.
       In  the  early  spring  the  female  gives  birth  to  a  single  calf,  which,  when young,  is  said  to  resemble  a  Newfoundland  dog.  At  this  early  age  the  calf  is in  great  danger  from  the  hungry  packs  of  wolves,  which  would  not  hesitate  to attack  the  old  bull  yaks  themselves.  The  people  of  Thibet  have  managed  to tame  this  great  creature  and  turn  it  into  a  beast  of  burden.  For  the  country  it lives  in  it  is  very  useful,  but  it  is  doubtful  if  the  Europeans  would  put  up  with its  whims  and  temper.  Its  skin  is  beautiful,  the  fur  growing  to  a  great  length on  the  sides,  while  its  bushy  white  tail  was  largely  sought  after  for  cap  decorations  and  fans  for  the  Chinese long ago.  There  is  a  species  called  the  "plough"  yak, which  is  not  as  line  an  animal  as  the  true  yak.  It  is  a  poor,  ill-used  beast,  and is  generally  without  a  tail,  which  its  cruel  master  has  cut  off  and  sold.

The Graceful Antelopes

A large herd of antelope.

       The  Antelopes  represent  a  large  and  important  group  of  animals  which are  more  or  less  common  in  all  tropical  parts  of  the  earth.  The  antelope comes  nearest  to  the  goat.
       Perhaps  the  best-known  member  of  this  family  is  the  pretty  and  graceful Gazelle.  The  gazelle  relies  wholly  for  its  safety  upon  its  great  speed.  They are  usually  found  in  large  bands,  protecting  each  other  from  the  attacks  of hyenas  and  jackals,  and  the  smaller  animals.  Against  the  lion,  the  leopard, and  man,  their  three  greatest  enemies,  they  are  almost  helpless.  In  spite  of the  wary  sentinel,  which  always  keeps  watch,  the  cunning  lion  works  its  way toward  the  gazelles  until  it  can  spring  upon  one  or.  at  any  rate,  reach  it  with a  couple  of  bounds.  The  lion  knows  perfectly  well  that  it  must  creep  up  within striking  distance,  for  should  it  be  seen,  the  gazelles  will  gallop  oft"  at"  a  pace which  the  great  cat  could  not  keep  up  for  fifty  yards.
       In  parts  of  Syria  and  Araoia  a  species  called  the  "aerial"  gazelle  is  held in  great  favor  as  a  household  pet.  It  is  a  pretty  little  creature,  with  large,  lustrous eyes,  docile  and  good-tempered.

Kids can learn to draw antelopes at Thrifty Scissors.

 

Kids can learn to draw gazelle too at our Thrifty Scissors blog.

Mr. Rooster's Pals...

        Walter Wellman says that hidden on Mr. Rooster are the names of many of his bird friends, each name containing five letters. Start with any letter and see if you can spell a word by using the letters connected with its direct paths. You can move in any direction but must not jump over any letters. Many of the letters must be used move than once. When you have all the words that can be made, all the letters will have been used. How many can you find? 

Find Mr. Rooster's friends...

The Famous Chamois

The chamois rest among the rocks.

       The    Chamois   is perhaps  the  most  famous member  of  the  antelope family.  It  is  quite  wrong to  class  this  little  animal among  the  goats,  although it  is  like  them  in appearance.The  home of  the  chamois  is  in  the highest Alps, where  it feeds  upon  the  grass  that grows    near  the   snowline.  Everyone  has heard  of  the  speed  and  jumping  power  of  the  chamois,  and last,  but  not  least,  its  wonderful  sense  of  smell. It  will  scent a  man  at  a  distance  which  one  would  hardly  believe  possible. When  the  wary  creature  is  alarmed,  it  will  stand  like  a  statue and   stare   in  the  direction  in  which  it  smells  danger. The instant  it  sees  anything  move,  it  rushes  up  the mountain-side. The  rate  at  which  it  disappears  is  something  astonishing.  The chamois  is  just  as  clever  at  getting  down  hill  as  it  is  going  up. Hunters  sometimes  chase  the  animal   until   they  think  they have   it  cornered,  and   then   it  will   escape  being  caught  by sliding  down  what  seems  to  be  a  perpendicular  precipice.
       The  affection  of  the  doe  chamois  for  her  young  is  well shown  by  the  story  of  a  hunter  who chased  a  chamois  and  her  young  toward  the  end  of  a  rock  which  was  separated  from  its surroundings  by  a  deep  chasm.    The  hunter  wanted,  of  course,  to  catch  the  young  ones  alive.  To his  surprise,  he  saw  the mother  spread   her  legs  across  the  chasm  between  the  two rocks,  and then  make  a  sign  to  the  young  ones  to  climb  on  her  back.     The youngsters   soon  made  a  bridge of  their  mother,  and  were  quickly  out  of harm's  way.
       The  chamois,  like  all  antelopes,  are  found  in  small  bands,  which  are  always guarded  by  a sentinel.  Its  height  is  about  two  feet,  and  its  skin  is  a  brownish black,  streaked  with  white around  the  face.  Its  horns,  which  are  about  six  or eight  inches  long,  are  turned  back  in  two  sharp hooks.  They  are  jet  black  and beautifully  polished.     In  the  spring-time  there  are  sharp  battles  among  the chamois  before  they  pair  off  for  the  season,  but  once  summer  comes  they  all live  happily together.  There  have  been  many  attempts  to  tame  the  chamois, but  they  have  only  been  partly successful.  It  is  so  shy  that  it  will  not  allow anyone  to  touch  it;  but,  on  the  other  hand,  like  a true  antelope,  it  is  consumed with  curiosity,  peeping  and  prying  into  everything. 

 

Kids can draw the alert chamois. See how they stand at attention and listen?

Kids can also draw chamois as they graze in the pastures.

The Tailless Gibbon

The tailless gibbon lives in the trees.

        The  Gibbons  are  the  ''fairy-monkeys''  of  the  trees,  spending  almost as  much  time  in  the  air  as among  the  branches.  The  gibbon forms  a  link  between  the  great  apes, the  baboons,  and  lesser  monkeys. Like  the  other  apes,  they  are  tailless, and  have  an  enormous  development of  arm-power.  The  gigantic gorilla  and  chimpanzee  are  both tree-dwellers,  but  neither  of  them  would  attempt  feats  like  the  gibbon, which  is  able  to  spring  through  space  in  traveling  from  tree  to  tree.  Owing to  this  wonderful  power,  it  has  been  given  by  the  naturalists  the  name  of "hylobate,"  meaning  "tree  traverser."
       The  Silvery  Gibbon  derives  its  name  from  the  silver-gray  color  of  its  fur. On  some  parts  of  the  body  there is  a  trace  of  brown,  while  the hands  are  dark-colored.  The eyes  of  all  the  gibbon  family  are large  and  deeply  sunk  in  the  head.  The  gibbon's  size  is  about thirty  inches.  The Malaccas  are the  home  of  the  gibbons,  where they  live  their  playful  life  amid  the high  trees  and  cane-fields.

To A Child, About a Dog...

 To A Child
About a Dog

 

The truest of unselfish friends;
The pal whose loving never ends.
In times of want or of increase
His selfless loving will not cease.

Through all his life (a little span)
He has no hope and makes no plan
Save giving all his love to man.

So honor, cherish and defend
The love and life of our dog friend.

J.M.

The Pekinese

The Pekinese

A-R-IS-TO-CRAT-IC,
I am, yes,
Mark well my look
Of haughtiness. 

With half a glance

It's plain to see

The high degree

Of my most royal 

Pedigree.

By Emperor and Mandarin,

By pampered ladies

Of the court

I am always sought.

Long and drooping

Silken hair;

Tail a plume of

Beauty rare.

Beauty, softness,

Wisdom, class;

All of these

Are qualities 

Of me, a Pekinese.

But let us see-

Yes, after all

A child will call

Me just a doggie

Like the others-

My own blood brothers.

Tiger, Tiger

 Tiger, Tiger 
by William Blake and
The last verse interpolated by J. M.

Tiger, tiger, burning bright

In the forests of the night,

What immortal hand or eye

Shaped thy fearful symmetry?

 

In what distant deeps or skies

Burnt the fire of thine eyes?

On what wings dare he aspire?

What the hand dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder and what art

Could twist the sinews of thy heart?

And, when thy heart began to beat,

What dread hand and what dread feet?

What the hammer? What the chain?

In what furnace was thy brain?

What the anvil? What dread grasp

Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears,

And water'd heaven with their tears,

Did He smile His work to see?

Did He who made the lamb make thee?

Who can say? Which of us can

Comprehend His mighty plan?

Therefore let us rest content

Knowing Good is God's intent.