Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-03-20
Trained Animals.

Trained Animals.
Although the training of animals
at the present day is an art almost
perfected, a glance over some of the
trained animals of the past shows
that we have not really advanced in
this direction. Horses were exhibited
in the early part of the thirteenth
century that walked and danced on a
rope, a trick that at the present day
would be pronounced impossible. The
ropes were extremely large and pressed
into a triangular shape, and the
horses feet were provided with
shoes made of a similar substance,
Others were taught to lie down, while
an OK with a trumpet in his mouth
would straddle his back, making q
most comical and ludicrous appear.
ance as they marched around. In a
Bodleian MS. of the fourteenth century
is an account Of horses trained to
combat. The animal is represented
as rising in the air and striking at q
shield held by the joculater, who, in
turn, thrusts at him with a short
sword, or club, both keeping time, or
regulated by some musical instru-
ment.
The following is told Of an 'exhi
bition given near Pail Mall, London, in
100: "A number Of little birds, to
the amount, think, of twelve or four
teen, being taken from different cages
were placed upon table in the pres
ence of the spectators. and there they
formed themselves into ranks, like a
company Of soldiers; small cones Of
paper, having some resemblance to
grenadier's caps, were put on their
heads, diminutive limitations Of mus.
kets, made from wood. secured under
their left wings. Thus equipped they
marched to and fro several times,
when single bird was brought for
ward, supposed to be a deserter, and
set between six Of the musketeers,
three in a row, who conducted him
from the top to the bottom Of the
table, on the middle Of which q small
brass cannon charged with little gum
powder had been previously placed.
The deserter was placed in front Of
the cannon and his guards divided,
three retiring Oh the right side and
three on the other, while he was left
standing by himself. Another bird
then Immediately came forward, and
a lighted match being put into one Of
it's claws, he hoped boldly on the tail
of the cannon, and, applying the match
to the printing, discharged the piece
without the least appearance OF fear
OF agitation. The moment the ex-
plosion took place, the deserter fell
down and lay motionless, like a dead
bird. But at the command Of his tutor,
he rose again, and, the cages being
brought, the feathered soldiers were
stripped Of their ornaments, and re-
turned to them in perfect order.
A story was told, many years ago, of
a sheik Of one of the wandering tribes
of Egypt, who. when laughed at by
some Of Napoleon soldiers for living
in country that would not support
even a bird, retorted that he would
send his storks for some French birds
who would bring them over on their
backs. as his people would have to
carry the Frenchmen before they. left.
and bidding them watch at early dawn
the next day he departed. Some Of
the men were curious enough to re-
member his words, and watched. The
next morning a flock of storks few
over from the sea, having on their
backs several European birds that left
their foreign consorts, who had
evidently borne them over the
Mediterranean, and few down among
the men, who were much impressed
with the supposed power Of the old
chief. He had, however, merely
taken advantage Of a peculiar habit of
these birds to test the credulity Of the
Frenchmen; and it has been proved
within few years that the tale is not
an exaggerated one, as small birds are
frequently observed sitting or the
backs of storks on their southwark
trips, which is perhaps as remarkable
as if they had been trained to do it.
A Fable.
One day troop OF Jackals were
astonished beyond measure at the
Of a Lion III their midst,
and their surprise could not be mag
ined when his countenance assumed a
pleasant expression and he remarked:
Friends. / have come to settle
among you and be a neighbor. Iwant
to be friendly with each and every
one and think well Of all, and l trust
we shall dwell together in harmony"
"Hoorayl for the Lion! Hurrah
for the old man-killer cheered the