The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-08-17
Queer Freaks of Animals and
Fowls.


We find III our exchanges very often
accounts of strange freaks of animals and
fowls, Those given below, which comes
TO US well authenticated, will be read
with interest The first is told by the
Dayton, Ohio, journal:
An elderly hen, which had presided in
solitary dignity for the past season in the
yard OF DIR. Geiger, on Jefferson street,
determined to enter upon the condition of
''hatching." She prepared comfortable
nest IN an out-of therway recess, although
there were no eggs upon which to try her
maternal patience. Finally member of
The family, taking pity on the old ''cInck,
placed couple Of eggs in her lest, and
with this scant stock in trade she pro-
ceeded to "set." The old hen scorned
the conventional rules in such cases, leav-
ing the nest half dozen times a day, and
she was especially attentive to the least
movement about the kitchen which prom>
iSed food, and never failed to be around
when the contents of the table spread
were shaken out in her vicinity. Indeed,
so frequently did the subject Of our brief
sketch leave her nest, and remain so long
away that canine matron, with a trio
OF kittens, concluded that she would oc>
cuPy the cozy depository, and she accord
ingIy toted her progeny 10 the nest. The
next morning, bright and early, Mrs Hen
found that she was not alone in her glory
The kittens were well enough, but she
fought tabby away, and took charge of
her family; and the kittens seemed pleased
with the change. When her food was
brought to her she took especial pains to
call her foster children, and devoting 10
them all the little attentions which an old
''cIuck" devotes to her progeny, she tried
to induce them TO eat. Tabby watches
her opportunity, and when sold Speckle"
goes away In search of food, or to take a
promenade through the yard, she acts
the part Of commissary to her kittens;
and she quickly retires from the field the
moment ''oid Speckle" makes her appear
ance. And this strange condition of af>
fairs has been kept up for several days,
the old hen remaining 'cock of the walk -
fighting tabby away from her nest, refus-
ing to be inierfered with, and taking good
care Of the kittens, and her pair of eggs
which are probably further from maturity
than when put in the nest. The kittens
seem to think it line sport; how they will
view II when they get their eyes open re-
mains to be seen.
THIS is from the Bloomsbury, Pa Re
publican; a cat belonging to Mr. Moore
Crevelng had litter Of kittens, one of
which died. The disconsolate cat went
out INTO a neighboring field where she
found young rabbit, and compelled it to
accompany her home. She adopted the
rabbit III lieu of her lost kitten, and is now
rearing it with the rest Of her family, be-
ing apparently much attached to it.
The Lancaster, Pa, Leade,' is respon-
sible for the following: Mrs Susan Pierce.
OF hennett township, is the owner of a
very oiliclous and important young turkey,
which was hatched during the past spring.
Dmlng this month it has formed the ac>
quaintance of brood Of young guineas.
and by some art best known to his tnr>
keyship, he has succeeded in winning
them entirely from their mother, and now
has entire control Of them, by day and by
night
The following is vagabond item, for
the truth Of which we cannot vouch Out
west they tell story of dog that was
greatly interested in music He attended
singing school, and was subsequently,
found in the back yard with music book
III front of him, beating time with Lhis
tail on tin par, and bowling ''Old Hun
dred."