Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-18
Daily ~ eagle
A QUEER PET.
a Two-Headed Tortoise and Some OF 1ti
An,nSIpp Traits

- IWO-hS80ed Tortoise and Some Oh 1tB
Amusing Traits.
The prettiest little monster" that have
ever seen was young two-headed painted
tortoise (Chryscmys pic;d), caught last June
by Master Leighton Foster, while hunting
FOR natural history specimens IN the
marshes bordering West river, in New
haven, Conn.
This pretty little pet, the shell of which
was quite normal save that it was little
broader than long, had the usual four legs
and tail. but was furnished with two per-
fectly formed heads and necks, which
acted independently of one snother-so in
dependentlv, in fact, that the right and left
heads fought like little Trojans, whenever
there was occasion for jealousy or spite
Now, the tortoise is generally thought a
dull and stupid creature, but this little fell
low knew the hand that fed him and re-
fused to eat any thing, however tempting,
from strangers. The favorite morsel of
these twin heads was cricket or grass
hopper. But the head lucky enough to
seize 1t first found its right to sole possess
sion stoutiy contested by the other Since
they were equals in age and strength, and
had fair ana equal advantages in every
way, these spiri.ed little tugs-of-war ended
only when the morsel separated. Then
each, thinking itself the hero, gulped its
portion with great satisfaction. They
seemed healthy and ate with evident relish,
and consumed equal amounts; but often
their appetites were not the same, for at
feedlng-time the greed of one and absti-
hence of the other showed they were not
equally hungry. Repeatedly l have seen
one little head turn slyly around and snap
AT the bright eye of the other, plainly mis-
taking it for something to eat, and causing
that head to withdraw hastily into the shell.
And thereby there is suggested point Of
continual discussion between these two
heads which fear was never settled ami
cably For it often happened that both
heads were inclined TO withdraw into their
common shell or house at the same time,
which they could do, it is true; but when
both were in it was plainly very crowded.
Now, If there is any one privilege pc
culiarly that of the tortoise, it is the privi-
iege of withdrawing at its own sweet will
into its own private shell, without any con-
siderations for outsiders Certainly, it would
be very lax and easy-go,ng tortoise that
would yield its long-established right to Sc
clusion and submit peaceably to the en-
croachment Of another; so these heads
ouarreled daily. Sometimes one head
wished to look around, and then the other
enjoyed the luxury of the she'll in peace, but
In course of time the twin was sure to
withdraw, too. Then the two heads would
fidget irritabiy; only for brief moment,
however, for they came out almost at once,
as indignant and angry as their tender
years would allow, and, closing their eyes,
beat their heads together and fought with
all their might, till some compromise was
effected. These were the most amusing
and absurd little scrimmages imaginable.
just think of one itself engaged IN deadly
combat with another itself; what an alb
surdityi but so IL was. And neither one
could go away to leave the other and sulk
and pout about it, so they generally gave
up when tired out and wisely agreed to dis
agree.
When sleep overcame one head, 1t with
drew, together with its two feet, into the
shell. But the companion head, wide
awake and looking about in all directions,
might simultaneously decide to be up and
doing, and then it would start off vigorously
with the two feet belonging to its side of
the house; but its efforts were vain; it only
went round and round in a circle, the
sleeping side acting as a dead weight. 1t
didn t seem to mind 1t much, however but
continued on its journey uninterruptedly
till the sleeper awoke, whereupon the two
SIDES Started off IN unison, but with the
most awkward gait possible. For, instead
of putting a fore foot forward, like the
normal tortoise, following Immediately with
a diaSonally opposite hind foot, this little
monster stepped out with its front feet
at once, so that its fore parts were left with
out support, and dropped; then the hind