New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1885-02-18
The TrochiIus and the Crocodile.

The Trochilus and the Crocodile.
Herodotus. that remarkably observ-
ing old traveller, is the first writer to
note the curious relationship existing
between this little bird and the croco-
die. In his terse and telling fashion
he says: ''All other beasts and birds
avoid the crocodile, but he is at peace
with the trochilus, because he receives
benefits from it; for when the croco-
die issues from the water and then
opens his mouth, which he does most
commonly toward the sunset, the
trochilus enters his mouth and swal-
lows the leeches which cling to his
teeth. The huge beast is SO pleased
that he never Injuries the little bird
Subsequent writer's, with the sufficient
wisdom that comes of much closet
study, denied tho story of the old Greek
on the ground of improbability. On the
other hand, the natives find the account
too bald, and improve upon it by add
ing that tho ziczac, as they call the
bird, in likeness to its cry, frequently
becomes so intent upon his business of
picking the crocodile's teeth that he
forgets the laspe of time, and continues
his operations so long-in this respect
strikingly like our human trochilus,
the dentist-that the monster, in sheer
WEAKNESS, must close his mouth. This
ungrateful action the trochilus indig-
nantly resents, and at once, with beak
and spurs, proceeds to. scarify the cro-
codile's interior, with the result of
causing the tired jaws to open once
more. Modern writer's who have been
to Egypt confirm the substance of the
story of Herodotus, but are skeptical as
to the native addition. They, affirm,
indeed, that the trochilus is the croco-
dies friend in its despite rather than
with its consent, and that the occa-
sions when the bird finds itself caught
between its ugly protege's jaws, though
infrequent, are final. This is very
likely to be true. for the crocodile is
certainly rapacious and blood-thirsty
to the extreme of sullen brutality. If
it be the case, it is fortunate for the
trochilus that it is gifted with unusual
agility. It belongs to the family of
long-1egged birds, Which includes a
great many species, ranging from the
spry little snipe to the languid herons
and cranes. Its beak is short, but its
legs are long and muscular, as they
need be to enable it to move with the
rapidity for which it is remarkable.
When not on duty it remains rather
quiet, and seems to wait for the APP
pearance of the ungrateful object of
Its solicitude with great patience; but
when the monster is at last moved to
bask upon sand-bank, the troohilus
is full of activity. 1t runs busily
hither and thither. plucking off and
swallowing the leeohes that always are
to be found adhering to the soft parts
Of the crocodile's body. The lazy
saurian, In the meantime, like those
happy mortals who fall asleep under
the BARRIERS ministrations, closes his
mean little eyes and forgets his cares.
Busy as it may be in helping itself to
the toothsome lcechcs, the trochilus
has SGT a sharp eye out for intruders.
and above all for man. Should any
such approach too near, the sharp cry
Of the faithful guardian rouses the
slumberer, which at once glides away
Into the water and safety. Hayper's
Magazine.