Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-11-21
The MOngQOSe.

In countries where snakes and other
noxious reptiles abound, nature, as a
means of checking the excessive in.
crease of such plaques, has provided
certain animals, both piped and quadru-
ped, which, by continually preying upon
and destroying snakes of all kinds. both
large and small, fulfil a most useful
office, and confer an inestimable bene-
fit on man. The peccary Of South
America, small but fearless species
of the hog-tribe, will not finch from an
encounter with such terrible foe as
the deadly rattlesnake; but encased in
a hide of extreme toughness, quickly
dispatches and .devours his scaly antag-
onist. The secretary bird of southern
Africa, belonging to the falcon tribe,
habitually subsists on reptiles of all
kinds. In Europe the stork acts sim
liar part; and many other useful birds
and beasts, performing the same good
work, might be mentioned.
In India, where serpents are specially
we have various kinds of snake devour-
ers, such as storks and cranes, and the
well-known adjutant. Peafowl are
especially active in destroying small
descriptions of snakes; and others of
the feathered race assist in the work.
But in general, animals of all kinds
have natural dread, and carefully
avoid permitting themselves to come
in contact with, or even close proximity
to member of the snake tribe, instinc-
lively aware of the danger of meddling
with such creatures.
The little ichneumon Ca Greek word
signifying 8. follower of the tracks or
footsteps) or mongoose of India, is,
however, a bright exception to this rule
for not only will he, when so disposed,
without fear of consequences, readily
enter into mortal combat with the most
venomous descriptions of snakes, but
will even seek them out, attack, slay
and devour them, their young or eggs,
in their various strongholds and hiding
places.
The common gray nongoOse Her
pestes griseus), called by the natives of
Northern india, Newela,' is exceeding
ly abundant everywhere. In general
shape and contour, it is much like a
ferret and in many other ways resem-
bles one of the weasel tribe. In size it
is considerably larger than a ferret; and
the hair which covers the body, instead
of lying smooth and feeling soft to the
touch as that of the ferret, is coarse and
bristly The color, which varies much
in different parts of the country and
according to the season of the year, is
generally of a reddish brown, speckled
over with gray. It's length from tip of
nose to tip of tail is about two feet.
The snout is sharply pointed, ears short
and round, eyes small and piercing; the
Jaws are armed with formidable set OF
teeth, the CANNES being especially sharp
and long
The mongoose frequents gardens,
thick hedge-rows, and scrub-jungle; and
if left unmolested, and not hunted by
dogs, will often take up its abode in
some burrow or hole in bank in close
proximity to inhabited buildings.
Though in general nocturnal in habits,
yet it may often be seen crossing road
or footpath during the day, usually
pausing moment to look around and
make sure that the coast is clear of
dogs and such like enemies before ven
turing to cross open ground.
Being, as [ have already stated, a
deadly foe to the cobra, battles between
that formidable reptile and the mon
goose are of constant occurrence, but
it has been proved that the fangs OF
all venemous reptiles have no effect
upon 1t.