The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1896-04-03
vENEzUECA'S SHEPHERD BIRD.
1t Is Called the Yakamik and Is as Good
as q Dog For Caring For Flock.


The natives Of Venezuela and adjoin-
ing countries on the north side of the
river Amazon often avail themselves Of
the services of a native crane to care for
their poultry, and also in the place of
collies or shepherd dogs, used by North
Americans and Europeans, to guard and
herd their domestic animals.
This remarkable bird, which the In.
dams call yakamik and ornithologists
Psophia crepitans, is found in wild
state in the great forests that lie be-
tween the northern coasts of South
America and the Amazon river, particu-
larly in Venezuela and British Guiana.
The birds never leave the forests unless
shot or captured. They travel about in
focks of from 100 to 200, in search OF
the berries, fruits and insects upon
which they subsist. Their usual gait is
slow and stately march, but they en-
liven themselves from time to time by
leaping up into the air, executing &C.
centric and fantastic waltzes, and strik-
ing the most absurd and preposterous
attitudes. If pursued they endeavor to
save themselves by running, for their
flight is SO weak, according to Schom-
burgk, that when they attempt to fly
over body of water of any considerable
width they are often obliged to drop
upon it and save themselves by swim
ming. When alarm6, they utter the pc
culiar cry which has obtaind for them
their name of trumpeters. The sound is
something like that produced by per-
son endeavoring to shout the syllables
"tow, tow, tow; tow, tow, tow" with
his mouth shut, or the doleful noise
made by children on New Years 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
a pale green color. The young birds fol-
low their mothers as soon as they are
Matched, but do not lose their pretty
downy covering until several weeks old.
The yakamiks are very readily tanned,
and prove valuable servants to the In
dians, 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 flock of
sheep or domestic fowls, and every
morning will drive the ducks and poul-
try to their feeding places and, carefully
collecting any stragglers, bring them
safely home at night. A yakamik soon
learns to know and to obey the voice of
its master, follows him, when permit
ted, wherever he goes, and appears de-
lighted at receiving his caresses. 1t re-
pines at his absence and welcomes his
return, and is extremely jealous of any
rival. Should any dog or cat approach
it flies at it with the utmost fury, and
attacking it with wings and 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, if it is not we'll acquainted
with them, and only asks for share of
the eatables after it has driven away all
who might aspire to favorable notice
from the family. 1t appreciates favor in
the same proportion as it is jealous of
sharing them with others. and manitests
joy and affection by the most extrava-
CANT capers and gesticulations. 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 as they are let out in the morning.
One quality that makes it valuable is
its sense of location, which is perfect;
however far it may wander with the
flocks or herds it guards, it never fails
to find its way home at night, driving
before it all the creatures intrusted to
its care.
1t is strange that several species of
South American birds of different genera
should share with the yakamik its in
stinct of guarding and taking care of
domestic animals. One of these is the
crested screamer (Dicholophus sristatus),
another the horned chauna (Chauna
chavaria), which is often domesticated
as a poultry keeper by the natives. s.
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