Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-11-24
A Benevolent Bird

A Benevolent Bird
There is one very odd case of benevo-
lence of one animal toward another which
shows that help is often needed where least
suspected.
Who would suppose that the elephant,
with its great size and massive strength,
could be in need of such aid as so insignifi-
cant creature as a bird could give it
Against such large animals as lions,
tigers, and rhinoceroses it can defend itself,
but against tiny insects, which it might
crush under its feet by the hundred, it has
no protection except what is given it by
little feathered friend. With such thick
skin as it has, one might well suppose that
the elephant would have no trouble from
insects but, in truth, it is the very thick
ness of its hide which makes the small in
sect dangerous.
Ticks, which are abundant in all forests,
work their way into the cracks in the skin
of the huge creature, and as the skin is so
thick they are enabled to bury themselves
so completely that they cannot be scrsped
off when the smarting animal rubs against
rocks or trees. A differently constructed
animal could use its teeth or feet to remove
the annoyance but for the elephant, there
is nothing but suffering and torture, unless
some kind friend lends helping hand-or
bill.
And this kind is not lacking; for no
sooner are the little pests comfortably en-
sconced than pair of small, bright. yellow
eyes searches them out, and the next mo.
ment pretty, orange. colored beak plucks
them forth. The owner of the eyes and
beak is beautiful, snow. white heron !;
small of body, but large of heart for 1t
seems, in Northern Africa, at least, to
have devoted its life to the benevolent
work of watching over its monstrous pro-
tege.
1t is novel and beautiful sight to see
the dark skinned giant of the jungle stalk
ing ponderously along, with as many as a
score of these beautiful birds perched upon
his back and head, busily working to free
him from his little tormentors. And full
we'll the elephant knows what he owes his
benefactors. Not for anything would he
harm them, ugly.tempered as he often is.
Even when the sharp beak probes deep into
the sensitive flesh, the great creature bears
the pain patiently, seeming to know that
it is necessary.
In South America there is very beauti.
full bird called the agami, or the golden
breasted trumpeter. 1t is about as large in
the body as one of our common barn-yard
fowl, but as it has longer legs and longer
neck it seems much larger. Its general
color is black, but the plumage en- the
breast is beautiful beyond description, be.
ing what might be called iridescent, chang.
ing, as it continually does, from steel.
blue to red-goId, and glittering with
metallic luster. In its wild state the
agami is not peculiar for anything but its
beauty, its extraordinary cry, which has
given it the name of trumpeter, and for an
odd habit of leaping with comical antics into
the air, apparently for its own amusement.
When tanned, however-and it soon learns
to abandon its wild ways-it usually con.
ceives a violent attachment for its master,
and, though very jealous of his affection,
endeavors to please him by solicitude for
the we'll being of all that belongs to him,
which may fairly be termed benevolence.
1t is never shut up at night as the other
fowl are, but, with well. deserved liberty,
is permitted to take up its quarters where
it pleases. In the morning it drives the
ducks to the water and the chickens to
their feeding ground and if any should
presume to wander they are quickly
brought to sense of duty by sharp re.
minder from the strong beak of the vigil
liant agami. At night the faithful guardian
drives it's charge home again.
Sometimes it is given the care OF q flock
of sheep; and, though it may seem too
puny for such a task, it is in fact quite
equal to it. The misguided sheep that
tries to tritie with the agami soon has cause
to repent the experiment for, with a
swiftness unrivaled by any dog, the feath-
cred shepherd darts after the runaway,
and with wings and beak drives it back TO
its place, not forgetting to impress upon
the offender sense of its error by pecks
with its beak.
Should a dog think to take advantage of
the seemingly unguarded condition of the
sheep and approach them with evil design,
the agami makes no hesitation about rush.
ing at him and giving combat. And it
must be a good dog that will overcome the
brave bird. Indeed, most dogs are so awed
by the fierce onset of the sgsmi, accompa-
MED by its strange cries, that they inconti-
nently turn about and run, fortunate if
they escape unwounded from the indignant
creature.
At meal-times it walks into the house
and takes it's position near its master,
seeming to ask for his caresses. 1t will
not permit the presence of any other pet in
the room, and even resents the intrusion of
any servants not belonging there, driving
out all others before it will be contented.
Like we'll bred dog, it does not clamor
for food, but waits with dignity until its
wants have been satisfied Will Wood
man, in st. Nicholas.