St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1892-11-26
SEEN m THE ZOO.

- IKuB BYetWS00 MuVCOVy VWC8y u W ubCW
- the Eeathers Flow. J.. IL
''What ais the Muscovys this morn
ing?" said the golden eagle to his bald
kinsman, while they perched face to
facc ON the summit of the hillOck Of
rocks in their summer boarding house
in Central park. "The fat one has just
laid her first egg. and she's 30 stuck on
her work that she's been itching for
fight every since. II she wasn't beneath
my dignity I'd like tn drop down and
clapper-claw her awhile sl "a
''Sec: they're at it for keeps replied
the golden one In a hutter.
At least this Is the way that Keeper
Cariin interpreted the looks and acts Of
the eagles, Of which birds he has been
An uncommonly close observer. Hemay
have an inkling Of the way birds of
prey communicate with one another.
for the ducks the eagles talked about
were in . great hutter Two OF them,
with broad. fat bodies. large fiat feet
strong wings, stout bcaks, and with
heads wrapped in hood of fiery red
wattles, through which only their ugly
little eyes could be seen. glaring at
each other, while the feathers ruffied
on their outstretchcd necls. and they
stamped their webbed fee ON the earth
and moved about. watching for =
chance to snatch a good hold with their
long, bony beakS
Presently one darted out like q flash
and fastened her mandibles in the back
of the others neck. closed her eyes and
hung on like bulldog. The bitten one
made desperate efforts with her wings
to beat of her. opponent, but falling,
twisted her neck about. and caught u
mouthful of her tOrmentOr's wattlcs.
The nccks of both birds were twisted
about like snakes entwiped All the
while they pounded each other other
with their wings, aud with surprising
quickncss rolled over and over o dozen
times without letting 60 Meanwhile
ten members OF the Muscovy family
formed = ring around the fighters, NOV.
ing with the ''scrappers. and quackinZ
and clapping their wings as though
urging the combatants to fight harder.
After five minutes Of rough-and-tum-
BILE work the birds separated of their
own accord, but never for an instant
did they stop glaring At each other.
The other ducks took turns in fondliny
the fighters and quackiny into their
cars what might have been points to
take advantage of the next round. After
little time they sprang at each other
and fought with redoubled fury. First
ono and then the other would land ON
top, and the dusty air was filled with
down and feathers battered Of and
plucked out by the roots The ducks
that stood by became Sd dustcred with
excitement that they spread out their
wings. drummed the dust, and bumped
into one another rs II courting fights OF
their own.
Suddenly one of the real fighters let
out a cry-half scream and half squawk
and breaking from his furious an
tagonist, tried to run to cover. The
victor gave chase. grabbed a mouthful
of the flying ones short tail feathers
and hung ON with the tcnacity Of .
swapping turtle. The beaten duck
squawking like mad. raced around and
around the Enclosure. dragging her con-
queror, who. with closed eyes, vainly
tried 70 brace herself to check the
others fight At last the weary. van.
quished ono poked her head and necx
into Granny in the rooiery, and would.
no doubt, have fancied she had escaped
from her tormcntors, had It not been
for the torture she endured every time
the winner plucked a beakful of plum
age out of the neither end.-N Y. Ad.
vertiser.
A Cherry seed That Cost 03J ZOO.
In a muSeum of curioSities af Salem