The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1894-07-06
| For the DemOcrat-Star.
4 M0SQulTe nAwx DuEL.


hawk is perhaps the flercest
OF all natures duelists,
because it infrequcntly happens that
a Pcgassus-like tournament Is wit
messed to determine the prowess Of
those engaged in such a cOmoat be-
tween two Of these great-eyed, winged
insects.
1t Is, however, we'll known that Il
mosquito hawk, when caught and
tantalized by a small boy, bites one or
more OF his fingers, II it can. and In
ultimate desperation will eat of
considerable portion Of its own elOng-
ated tail at not regaining aerial lib
evty-a clear case OF felO dc Sc mad
ness.
"It out0ghts anything have ever
seem" said an old habitue OF the "Cot-
tage by the Sea" on an evening OF last
week. 81 have attended a bull and
bear fight (away back in the fifties)
many cock, dog and human prize
fights, but never before have l en-
joyed the spectacle of such a yengefu'
ultimatun, which has left the victor
uninjured in full life and condition,
and nothing but the wings OF the van
quished remaining to betray the fact
that it had ever existed.
"a swarm OF mosquito hawks, thick
er than usual, was flying around and
about at the beach, at low heights
above the land and water, In diligent
pursuit OF mosquitoes. Two OF the
largest and finest specimens had
, gyrated and zigzagged through the air
in seemingly chosen radius before
, us and attracted attention. They
, maneuvcred so as to draw nearer to-
, gether and pass swlfter by each other
, in every turn, until with all the mo-
, mentum they doubtless possessed
they met with q clash. A rustic OF
wings and grating of the organs OF eat
. ing could be distinctly heard as they
wriggled, squirmed and somersaulted
together, locked in deadly embrace,
q each endeavoring to get upon the
! others back, which made it appear
!, that the test OF championship be-
|, lonped to the one which succeeded !;
. and this proved to be so towards the
: end. when from exhaustion the under
s insect in the fight gradually settled
to the ground unable longer to bear
a the weight and punishment, though
4 all the while it herOically endeavOrett
to shake of the rider, which had
buried its mouth into a Vulnerable
. spot of the central division OF the
- - victims anatomy and was gnawing
:. . away with voracious avidity. Then
:. the most interesting and curious part
of the performance continued to a
= finish for the mosquito hawk on tor
y " hurriedly cat up the other beneath In
:, toto, excepting the wings, and with
:. :. satisfied air flew away to join tht
- Others"
:" It has been suggested that "Soci
!. " ETY. for the Suppression OF Canniba'
ism Among Bugs" be formed, and tn
. names of a number Of humane gentle
:" men are mentioned for the chief office
:, of the "Pascagoula Mother Club
-, their respective titles to be: Prcsid
:" " inp Grand Mediator, High Stern Mod
'S' orator, Noble Wise Alligator, Mos
y Potent Peacemaker, Ever Puissan
~ Reporter, etc.
~ The society will be expected to loo
=. into and prevent, as nearly as poss
IS 8. BILE, the crueltics that are know
=" ~ to be practiced among crab
~, ,.a crabs, shrimp and sand-nddlers, an
=" very especially the awful habit OF I'll
.s female spider Of devouring her hume
IA IA Gus sweethearts, in quick rotatio
Nv -. after fascinating and seducing ther
Nv a evidently through selfish and me;
y, ~. spirit Of jealousy and love. I'll
dreadful example should be corrcct'
~, y. at all hazards before the threaten
I 'ns triumph Of woman's rights in I
,vo human family. ,,,,,
oal Pascapoula, Miss, June 80, 1894.
his -,---~~-
Urn An exchange saws. ..lt is the hO