The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-12-12

sooner are the little pests comfortably en-
sconced than a pair of small, bright, yellow
eyes searches them out and tee next mo
ment pretty, oraRge-colored beak plucks
them forth. The owner OF the eyes and peak
is a beautiful, snow white heron; small oil
body, but large of heart; Ior it seems, ia
Northern Africa at least, to have devoted its
life to the benevolent work OF watching over
its monstrous protege.
1t is a novel and beautiful sight to see the
dark skinned giant of the jungle stalking
penderously along. with as many as q score
of these beautiful birds perched upon his
back and head, busily working to free him
from his little tormentors. And full well
the elephant knows what he owes his bene-
factors. 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 1t Is
necessary.
In South America there is very beautiful
bird called the agami or the golden-breasted
trumpeter. Ii is about as large in the body
as one of our common barn-yard fowl. but as
it has longer legs and longer neck IL seems
much larger. its general color is black, but
the plumage on the breast is beautiful be-
yond description, being what might be called
iridescent, changing, as * continually does,
from a steel blue TO red-gold, and glittering
with metallic luster.
for anything but its beauty, its extraordinary
cry. which.has given it the name Of the trum-
peter. 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 conceives a violent attach
ment for its master, and, though very jealous
of his affection, endeavors to please him by
a solicitude for the well-being of all that be-
longs to him, which may fairly be termed
benev0lence.
1t is never shut up at night as the other
fowl are, but, with a well deserved liberty, is
permitted to take up its quarters where it
pleases. In the morning, il drives the ducks
to the water and the chickens to their feed
ing ground; and if any should presume to
wander, they are quickly brought to sense
of duty by a sharp reminder from the strong
beak OF the vigilant agami- At night, the
faithful guardian drives its charge home
again.
Sometimes it is given the care of a flock of
sheep; and, though it may seem to Puny for
such task, it is in fact quite equal 10 II.
The misguided sheep that tries to trife with
agami soon has cause to repent the expert
ment: for, with q swiftnesS unrivalled by
any dog, the feathered shepherd darts after
the runaway, and with wings and beak
drives IT back to its place, not forgetting to
impress upon the offender a sense OF its error
by pecks with its beak.
Should 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 rushing
at him and giving combat. And it must be
a good dog.thas will overcome the brave bird.
Indeed, most dogs are so awed by the fierce
onset OF the agami, accompanied by its
strange cries, that they incontinently turn
about and run, fortunate if they escape I'M
wounded from the indignant creature.
At meal times it walks into the house and
takes its position by its master, seeming to
ask for his caresses. 1t will not permit the
presence of any other pet in the room, and
even reSents sthe intrusion of any servants
not belonging there. driving out all Others
before it will be contented. Like well-bred
dog, it does not clamor for food, but waits
with.dignity until its wants have been salts
fled.