, 1892-11-09

il now too we'll known in this island to need
description. 1t may frequently be seen cross
ing the country roads in its wanderlngs IN
search Of the rats or other animals Oh which
it preys. We find the name spelt in Cham
bers's Cyclopadia Mangouste and Mangus, as
we'll as in the ordinary way. The animal is
valued in India for its skill and bold
ness in attacking the poisonous snakes. It's
common plan is to allow the snake to dart at it
and then, springing aside, to seize the snake
by the neck immediately behind the head
The stories about its immunity from the Ell.
fects of the snake poison, and its use of some
particular herb to cure the bite are probably
to be counted among the fables which POM
monty accumulate around remarkable animals.
Presumably we have not had much opportu-
nifty Of observing the habits Of the animal in
Santa Cruz, and none of observing it else
where. but there is one thing, a matter about
which contradictory opinions were expressed
at the Jamaica enquiry, which we are certain
Of, namely that the mongoose can climb trees,
at least to a moderate height. While driving
down Kings Hill one day we saw one of these
animals run up a thibet tree to a height Of
seven or eight feet, where he met the first
branches and rested while we passed. That
he takes birds when he can get then is highly
DIODtDI6, dllA W. A0HC q ohcplSAOAA "IdG HudAAS
and black-witches are both of them less nu-
merous in Santa Cruz than they were a few
years ago. About the amount Of mischief he
does among domestic fowls we are not sure.
Some time ago we were told by a lady living
in the country that she had several times seen
a hen with a brood of chickens coming down'a
hillside towards the house, quite slswly, keep
inc her brood near her and watching intently
and in a threatening manner a mong0ose
which was slowly following. The hen, as a
rule. succeeded in reaching the yard or in
getting into a coop in safety. Only the other
dav we were told something very similar by a
gentleman in West End who has frequent OPP
portunities If seeing like scene. From these
observations we may learn, first that the mon
goose. Notwithstanding his courage and agility
is afraid to attack a grown fowl, next that on
account 81 the mothers watchfulness he sell
dom succeeds IN securing the chickens, and
lastly that he must succeed sometimes, or he
would not continue this habit of providing
around after he chicks. What strikes us very
forcibIy as evidence that the mangoose's
ravages among the fowls cannot be very serious,
is the fact that. notwithstanding all that is
sad about the mischief done by him, fowls and
eges are is plentiful and cheap. as ever, at
least so housewives who ought to know tell
us. The truth probably that the mOngoose is
no worse an enemy to the poultry than the
rat. which he has to o great extent displaced,
Planters with whom we have spoken are pretty
unanimous iii praislng the m0n@ooSe as q lat
eXterminator. I'm tins the value OF these AMI
mails consists, while if ON the other hand they
III their turn should become a nulscence, they
can presumably be kept down without much
Trouble. They can be caught IA wire traps
and hunted down BY dogs, with which animals