Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1890-03-31
Brief Stories About Animals


hole in the door, and was somewhat
astonished to see a number of rats in
the trough quietly and fearlessly par
taking of bread and milk with the
dogs, who seemed to pay no attention
to them. The rats were at once DOOM
ed TO destruction so the next day the
trough was placed in such a position
that gun pointed through the hole
would rake it from one end to the
other. At the usual hour the food was
placed, the dogs being kept out The
rats, however. would not take the bait
the heads of several sagacious old
ones were seen peering out from their
holes, as if they ''smelled a rat they
had their suspicious, and would not
leave their retreats. Having waited
for half an hour the dogs were led in,
and in few minutes dogs and rats
were feeding peacefully together. The
| little creatures seemed to be aware
that they were safe only when the
dogs were present.
THE SWALLOW AND ITS COMPANIONS.
A swallow having unhappily caught
its foot in a slip knot of pack thread
the other end OF which was attached
to a spout, soon exhausted its strength
in its Attempts to escape; at length
finding that there was no hGpe, it
hung at the end Of the thread utter
Ing loud cries of pain. Soon all the
swallows in the neighborhood assemb-
led, to the number of several thous-
ands, all seemed to feel for their sus-
pended brother. After much twitter-
ing and talking, bright idea struck
the mind of one wiser than the rest.
He told his plan to the others at once
they began to put it into execution.
Each took his place, and all went in
turns, as in the sport of running at
the ring, and in passing struck the
thread with their bills. These efforts,
directed to one spot were continued |
every second. Half an hour thus pass
ed away when the thread was severed |
and the captive restored to liberty.
THE LION AND THE DOG.
At Wien, combat was once ex-
hibited between a lion and some dogs.
AS soon as the noble animal made
his appearance, four large bulldogs
were turned loose upon him, but three
of them took fright and ran away.
The fourth alone had the courage to
attack him. The lion with out rising
from the ground, on which it was
lying, with a single stroke of his paw
stretched the dog notion
less he then drew the dog toward
him and laid his forepaws on him so
that only small part of his body
could be seen. The spectators thought
the dog was dead. Presently however
OhO IVY OCSetu W IuONC3 anu SGI uSSlcu
to get loose, which the lion permitted
him to do. But when the dog attempt
ed to run away, the lion leaped from
the ground, and in two bounds reach
ed the fugitive, who had just gained
the paling. His defenseless es6my
--.v.voes PIuy, and the gehef-
ous lion stepped back a few PAGES,
md looked quietly on while small
loor was opened to let the dog ont of
he inclosure. The assembly shouted
oudly in applause.
THE MONKEYS AND THEIR BRIDGE.
When marching troop of monkeys
7Ome to river, halt is made. Some
Id and experienced monkeys then c
urvey the stream, and having select
d spot where the trees on either e
Idle are nearest to each other, one of
he most powerful twists his tail firm S
Y round the branch and suffers HIM S
elf to hang with his head downward. q
mother then slides down the body S
f the first, twists his tail round him b
nd quietly awaits the rest. In this t
'ay a long chaiu is formed; and p
hen they are of opinion that it is S
ing enough, they commence vibrat- p
lg backward and forward, like the e
u1 Of al
lie link is able to seize a branch on
lie opposite side. The bridge is now g
'rmed ; and the younger troop pass n
lfely over, the younger member Civ W
g vent to their fun by pinching and ld
licking those who compose the bridge. o.
The large headed ants in Surinam. p
hen they wish to cross a body of Ia
alter, construct living bridge in L
milar manner: One of them first fix h;
itself to piece of wood by means g
its jaws, and remains stationary OF
second connects itself with this, a re
lrd takes hold of the second, and a tn
urth the third, and so on, till long Sc
'nnected chain is formed and fasten- er
at one extremity, which floats e1
posed to the wind or current till tie
e other end is waited over, so as Ell
fl itself to the opposite side of the
ream, when the rest of the body
SIS over it as over bridge.
A Feathered Music Teacher pa
co
A wren built her nest in a box on 10
New Jersey farm. The occupants TIL
tho forp, bouCa con-, bo Dl(