Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-14
yExEzUELA,s SHEPHERD BIRD.
1t is Called the Yakamflk and Takes
Good Care of Domestic Animals.

1t is Called the Yaknmilk and Takes
Good Care Of Domestic Animals.
From the Popular Science News.
The natives of Venezuela and adjoining
countries on the north side of the river
Amazon often avail themselves of the SER
vices of native crane to care Tor their
poultry, and also, in the place Of collies or
shepherd dogs, used by North Americans
and Europeans. to guard and herd their do
nestle animals. sz 'oJ
This remarkable bird;S which the Indians
call yakamik and ornithologists Psophia
crepitans. is found in 3 Wild state in the
great forests that lie between the northern
coasts of South America and the Amazon
river, particularly In Venezuela and British
Guiana. The birds neyfr leave the forests
in fiocks of from 100 to 40, In search of
the berries. fruits and inseats upon which
they subsist. Their usual gait is slow
and stately march. but they enliven them
selves from time to time by leaping up into
the air. executing eccentric and fantastic
waltzes and striking the NEST absurd and
preposterous attitudes. III pursued they en-
deavor to save themselves by; running: for
their flight is SO weak. according to Schom-
burgk, that when they attempt to fly over
a body Of water of any considerable width
they are often obliged to drop upon it and
alarmed they utter the peculiar cry which
has obtained for them their name of
trumpeters. The sound is something like
that produced by person endeavoring to
tow, tow" with his mouth shut, or the
doleful noise made by children on New
Year with their trumpets. The yakamiks
usually deposit their eggs In hollow in
the ground, often at the foot Of tree.
A nest generally contains ten eggs, OF
pale green color. The young birds follow
their mothers as soon as they are Matched.
but do not lose their pretty downy covering
IL
very readily tanned, and prove valuable
servants to the Indians, who domesticate
them, and as they are courageous and will
protect animals intrusted to their care at
every risk to themselves, even dogs are
obliged to yield to their authority. They
may be trusted with the care of a flock OF
sheep or domestic fowls, and every morn
ing will drive the ducks and poultry to
their feeding places and. carefully collect
ing any stragglers, bring them safely home
at night. A yakamik soon learns to know
and to obey the voice of its master, fol-
lows him, when permitted, wherever he
goes. and appears delighted at receiving
his caresses. 1t repines at his absence and
welcomes his return, and is extremely 1eai-
Gus of any rival Should any dog or cat
approach, it flies at 1t with the utmost
fury, and attacking 1t with wings anu beak
drives it away.
1t presents itself regularly during meals,
from which it chases all domestic animals,
and even the negroes who wait on the
table, II 1t IS not well acquainted Will
them and only asks for share Of the eat
ables after it has driven away all who
might aspire to a favorable notice from the
family. 1t appreciates favors in the same
proportion as it is jealous of sharing them
with others, and manifests joy and affec-
ton by the most eXtravagant capers and
gesticula tons. When the animals of which
it has charge are shut up for the night,
the yakamik roosts upon some shed or tree
near at hand to be ready to take Its place
as keeper as soon they are let out In the
morning. One quality that makes 1t valu-
able is it's sense of location, which is per-
feet; however far it may wander with the
f1ocks or herds it guards, it never fails to
find it's way home at night, driving before
1t all the creatures intrusted to it's care.
It is strange that several species of South
American birds of different genera should
share with the yakamik its instinct of
guarding and taking care Of domestic ami
mails. One of these is the crested screamer
Dicholophus sristatus) another the horned
chauna (Chauna chavaria), which Is often
donaesticated as poultry keeper by the
natives.