The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-10-28
THEY ALL KEEP CLEAN.
Sand Baths and Water Baths FIR the
Beasts and the
Birds.
Very Curious Facts About tho
Toilets Made by Dumb
Creation.
They Have Only the Implements Fur
nished BY Nature but They Know
They Have Only the Implements Fur
nished BY Nature but They Know
How to Use Them.

Brushes and combs most animals carry
with them, says the Spectator. Brilliant
inc" also is carried in small and handsome
reservoir BY all ducks and divers. Mud
serves for cold cream and vaseline; dust fol
fuller's earth and pearl powder, and water,
a. with M, lie perhaps the most important
necessary. But birds especially arc mighty
particular about the qualify Of their toilet
dust" and equally nice - to the water in
which they prefer to wash. Some use water
! only, some water or dust, others dust and
no water. Partridges are good example
of the busting birds, and are most careful in
the selection of their dust baths. Dry loan
suits them best. But perhaps their favor
ite place is q meadow whore . few turfs
have been removed. There they scratch
out the loan and shuttle backwards under
the grass roots till their feathers are full Of
the cool earth. In vet weather they find, If
possible, a heap Of burnt ashes on the site
Of weed fire, and dust there. Sparrows, ON
the contrary, always choose road dust, the
dryest and finest possible. Larks also are
fond of the road, and dust there in the
early morning. But they, too. have their
fancy. and choose the dry, gritty part,
where the horses hoofs tread. Wild
ducks, though feeding by the salt
water, prefer to wash in fresh
water pools, and will Ay long distances in
land to running brooks and ponds, whore
they preen and wash themselves in the
early morning. But though passing 10
much time on the water. ducks seem to pre-
fer 2 shower bath to any other; and in
feathers and allowing the rain to soak in,
after which they dress the whole surface
| with oil from the reservoir which we mem
toned above. Swallows and martins are
as nice in their choice OF bath water az any
professional beanty;" nothing but newly
and il tempted to battle, it ID generally by
some shallow pool in the road which an
hours sun will evaporate.
We have never seen hawks or falcons
bathing when wild. Trained birds in good
health battle almost daily, and the bath Of
q peregrine falcon is very careful perform
anoe. But no nymph could be more Jealous
of a witness than these shy birds, and It is
not until after many careful glances in
every direction that the falcon desoends
from her block and wades into the shallow
bath. Then, after more suspicious glances,
she thrusts her broad head under
the water and filings it onto her
back, at the Same time raising
the feathers, and letting the drops
thoroughly soak them. After bathing head
fan-liks on the water. and rapidly opens
and shuts them, after which she stoops
down and splashes the drops In every d.
rection. The bath over. she flies once more
to the block, and turning her back to the
sun, spreads every feather Of the wing and
tail, raises those on the body, and assists
the process Of drying BY . tremulous mo-
ton impaired to every quill, looking more
like an old cormorant on . buoy than
pereGrine.
Cats. large and small, make the most care
full toilet Of any class Of animal, With the
exception Of some Of the opossums. The
Lions and tigers wash themselves in exactly
the same manner 40 the cat, wetting the
|dark, India-1ubber- like ball Of the fore foot
face and behind the ears. The foot l. thus
at the same time face sponge and brush,
and the rough tongue combs the rest Of
the body. Hares also use their feet to
wash their faces, and the hare's foot 10 90
suitable for . face bruah that il Is always
the stage. One Of the most charming pets
We have kept, and the most particular %
to washing and brushing it's feet
and fur, was lovely brown opossum from
|T.smanis. Sooty phalangist'' was, We
with deep rich brown fur, had faoe some
thing like fox. pink nose. hands with
nailless thumb, and long claws ON the an-
gers. II waahed its feet every two or three
ml0usee. water rats are very clean ami
mails, and wash and brush their faces like
|ChEistians." We saw one this summer on
Ea pond at yelling, in Kent, swim out to
|pick up the blossoms Ut an acacia tree which
were falling on the water. After daintily
[eatinR each flower on the bank he licked his
hands, wiped his moustaches, and SWAN Of |
Tor another. We also tried an acacia blossom,
but except slightly sweet flavor, could |
lind nothing to account for the rats taste
FOR them. Sporting dogs. which are used in
|quick in cleaning and drying their coats.
land it IL 9 sure sign that q dog has been
|over-tired il he shows any trace Of mud or
|dirt next morning. Most Of their toilet 81 |
dome with the tongue. but they are very
|clever 81 using thick box bush or the
side OF haystack a. rough towel. One
small spaniel which we allowed to live in tha |
|house was we'll aware that IL he returned !
dirty he would not be admitted indoors.
About an hour before the oloee Of |
the day shooting he used to strike work |
land begin to clean himself; and IL urged "a /
do more. would alp OF home and nresent
|himaelf neat and clean in the dining room.
lone day the dog had been left at home. ana /
his master returned and seated himself. |
vet, and with half frozen drops OF ice atiok. |
ling to his CATERS, by the IRE. Pan ran nm
and carefully licked OF the frozen SNOW
and Toe. stopping every now and then to |
give an anxious look. which said a. plainly |
|as possible: Dear ME, il don't get Him |
[clean quickly, he will be sent to lie in the |
stable"
The World Eariched.
The facilities Of the present day for the |