The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1878-07-25
Animals i'm south Africa.

Captain Gilmore's observations upon
the natural history of '"The Great
Thist- Land" as he names the interior OF
southern Africa, are not OF q sufficiently
precise and extended character to be of
much value from q strictly scientific
point of view; yet his hasby notes on the
fauna and fora OF the country Through
which he passed on his route to and from
the vast central plains where the lion
and the elephant abound, are entertain
ing to the general reader.
OF the ostrich, Capt. Gilmore teetifies
that, despite his intensely stupid look, 1T
is not 80 much of O fool rs 1t is usually
accounted. Although excessively timid
in q state of nature, when In captivity or
tiomesticated these birds are bold and
dangerous, the males especially. They
will attack horse or rider inGiscriminate~
ly, walking up TO the object OF 5heir
Indignation with quiet, measured
stride, never eyincing for mo-
ment the slightest evidence Of hos
Utility; in fact, looking such feols that
no one would imagine them capa~
bile of .inimical ideas; when, with q
quick movement, done with great
strength and velocity, they raise their
foot and strike forward, the edges of the
toes being 60 sharp that they will cut
your Clothes the whole length of the
stroke. AS they are too valuable to he
knocked on the head, perhaps you turn
to run from them, but their speed issuch
that an attempt thus to telude them rs
useless. the only plan then TO he put-
sued is to throw yourself down, and lie
still on your lace or back. They cannot
kick you in these positions, but they
will Jump on you and lttample all over
you. Whiie this operation is going on,
you may give vent to your feelings and
satisfy your self-esteem by bestowing
upon them few reminders that Two can
play at the same game"
Snakes are very abundant in the vi
entity of IIimpopo, and afforded Capt.
rGillmore an opportunity of witness
1 ing the destruction of one of their num-
Der by the secFetary-DiEd or serpent
eater (sespentarius secretarius). Whis
4 bird lis cherished on account OF the
warfare it perpetualiy wages against
reptiles, which form its subsistence. III
4 is consequently very tame, ,evincing nc
H lear at the near approach of man. 1t
\ is about three feet in length, with
slate colored Splumage, "a formidable
eagle shaped lbeak, and very large
neutrality-suspicious. black eye" lit moves
Il with such long, regular strides as te
4 suggest that it is assuming Theatrical
\ mode of progression for the sake of at
n ,tracting attention. Captain Gilmore
A was one day within short distance of 4
"A d. So and NTH ha yartf
! messed o. combat between one OF them anc
its prey. 1.-THE bird rushed forward tx
seize its victim; but the latter being OF
the alert, this was not Accomplished. Iht
|. attacking party then astrutted round
i holding out the tesminati0n of Its wing
/ to be struck at by the snake. This ,0c
CURED many times, till the assailanl
made q false blow, and in q moment the
lIlbird had lit in its powerful beak, ant
flaw up with it alOft, quite two hundset
II wards, then dropped the reptile, descend
VI ing after it with the velocity of hawk
II Again and again this was repeated, till,
suppose, the snake being dead, it wa
Il carried of to a auietretreat to be made {
u meal of"
II The Seoretasy+bird derives its mans
A from its crest OF feathers, which can lbs
raised or depressed at will, and which
u ,distantly resemble o cluster of quilli
behind the ear of "a clerk. III is easily
\ domesticated, and has been introduced
into many countfiesIiniested with snakes
\ that it might wage a war of exteEmine
u tion against these pests.
III During his return journey trom the
elevated table-iands Of south Africa
Captain Gilmore relates that, on ,ons
t0ccasion, Q very curious sight rcauset
.IIlhim TO halt for some minutes. sit wa,
mo less than q migration of those extra
tordinaEy reptiles called by the French
mile 9gseds. The rain had caused bird,
, and beasts in the most miraculous man
ner TO appear, and, suppose had {
8 similar effect on the reptiles They were
crossing the road eight or ten deep; ths
advance guard of this regiment i ,cOult
, not see, and the rear-guaEd appeared
sequally distant. Many of them ywss,
nearly afootlleng, and az thick as a child
! wrist. Their asins ] had CONSTANTLY
Il found on the welt previously ibleachess
as white as snow, and ,consequentl.
} NloOIing at a distance more like 8 aI,in