The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-07-08
Remarkable Instances of Language and Com
bination among Animals.


and combination are given by Colonel w.
Campbell in the Indida J0urndl. The writer
is perhaps better known by his nom de
pl,llne, 1.-THE Old Forest Ranger" He was
at Rance Kenmore on hunting expedition:
IL witnessed this morning curious In
stance of wolfish generalship that interested
me much, and which, IN my humble opinion,
goes tar to prove that animals are endowed
to certain extent with reasoning faculties,
and have means of communicating thelr
ideas to each other. -,
~ was as usual scanning the horizon win
my telescope at daybreak to see II any game
was in sight. had discovered a small nero
of antelopes feeding in fed from when the
crop had lately been removed, and was about
to take the glass from my eye for the purpose
of reconnoterlng the ground, when, IN re-
mote quarter of the field, concealed from the
anteopes by few intervening bushes,
family discerned in the gray twilight pack
of six wolves seated on their headquarters
like dogs, apparently in deep consultation.
at appeared evident that like myself, they
wanted some venlson, and had some design
upon the antelopes; and, being anxious 10
witness the mode of proceedings adopted py
these four-legged poachers | determined 10
watch their motions. | accordingly dis
|
sOwar, and creeping as near the scene OF ac-
ton as could, without being discovered,
concealed myself behind bush.
Having apparently decided on their plan
of attack, the wolves separated, one remain
ing stationary and the other five creeping
cautiously round the edge of the field like
settlers drawing in shy covey of birds. In
this manner they surrounded the unsuspect-
ing herd, one wolf lying down at each corner
of the field and the fifth creeping silently
down the center OF 1t, where he concealed
himself in deep furrow.
THE sixth wolf, which had not yet moved,
now started from his hiding place and made
dash at the antelopes. The graceful crea-
lures. confident in their matchless speed,
tossed their heads as if in disdain, and started
off in a series of flying bounds that soon left
their pursuer far behind. But no sooner ola
they approach the edge Of the field than one
of the crouching wolves started up, turned
them and chased two Of them in contrary
direction, while his painting accomplice lay
down in his place TO secure wind tor fresh
burst Again the bounding herd dashed
across the plain, hoping to escape on the OPP
poslte side; but here they were once more
headed by one of the crafty sayages, which
took up the chase IN his turn, and coursed
them til relieved by fresh hand from the
opposite quarter In this manner the perse.
cuted animals were driven from side to side,
and from corner to corner, fresh assailant
heading them at every turn, till they appeale ed
perfectly supplied with fear, and, crowding
together like frightened sheep, began to
wheel round in diminished circles.
"All this time the wolf which lay concealed
! in the furrow near the center Of the field had
never moved, and although tae antelopes had
passed and repassed within few feet of him,
and had, perhaps, even jumped over HIM, his
time for action had not yet arrived. 1t now
became evident that the unfortunate ante
| lopes must soon be tired out. when 1t appeared
probable that the surrounding wolves would |
have made combined attack and driven the
terrified herd toward the center of the field,
where the wolf which had hitherto been ly-
ing in reserve would have sprung up in the
midst ofthem and;secured at least one victim"
At this period of the proceedings the spec.
tator shot the nearest wolf, whereupOn the
other five decamped and allowed the ante
lopes to escape.
Here we have reason and power of comb. |
nation for mutual action that would have
done credit TO human beings.
The anecdote shows also that there is
much more detail in the language OF animals
than is generally supposed. Each had its
different post assigned, SO that the wolves
| ing that locality; and each undertook to play |
its own part In a scheme OF no small intrica-
CIV, so that their language must have been
capable of expressing abstract ideas
| Mr. Walter Elliot, also mighty Indian
hunter, mentions, In footnote to Colonel
Campbell's account, that he has witnessed
similar instances of combination on the part
of the same animal. Once he saw three ga
zelles chased by single wolf. They made
for "nullah," or ravne and plunged into
| il. Presently two of the gazelles bounded up
the opposite bank of the nullah. but the third
gazelle and the wolf were missing. Going to
the nulah in order to discover what had be-
come of the animals, Mr.. Elliot found the
missing gazelle in the jaws of three wolves.
1t was evident that he had been decoyed into
an ambush, two wolves having hidden them
rclves in the nulah, and the third driven the
gazelles to the spot where his accompllces
were concealed thus making up by cunning
for lack of speed.
rather think that each species has its own
dialect and that there is another language
which is common TO ala sort OF animal
hnqud franca, or "plgeon-English." For ex
ample, cry of warning, no matter from
what bird or animal it comes, Is understood
| by IL EN- all, as is well known to many a.
sportsman who has lost his only chance Tor q
| shot by reason OF an linpertlneH' jay, Sio",
or maybe, which has sried him and has
given its cry of alarm.
In Mansfeld's Parkin's work on Abysslnia
,s remarkable account of language and the
consequent power of combination among the
nonKey tribe.
You may see them quarreling, making
love, mothers taking care of their children,
combing their hair, nursing and sucking
them; and the passions-jealousy, anger
love-as fully and distinctly marked as IN
men. They have a language as distinct to
them as ours is to US; and the women are as
NOISY ana tond OF disputation as any hshiag
| in Billingsgtte.
The monkeys especially the Cynocephal'
who are astonishingly clever fellows, nave
Their chiefs, whom they obey implicitly, and
a regular system Of tactics in war, pillaging
Icypeditlons, robbing corn fields, etc.
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