Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1896-05-02
SHEPHERD BIRD.
4 Venezuelan Crane That Herds
Domestic Animals.
it Strikes Absurd Attitudes and
Dances Fantastic WaltZeS.

The natives Of Venezuela and ad-
i3iping countries on the north side of
ti4 river Amazon often avail them
sd1ses of the services of native crane
tfcxxA iof their poultsy, and also ins,.
ueI By North Ameriio1,ls mn
pl ms to guard and herd their domes-
tic animals.
This remarkable bird, which the In
dians 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, par
ticularly III Venezuela and British
Guiana. The birds never leave
the forest unless shot or cap
tured. They travel about in
focks of from 100 to 200, in search
of the berries, fruits aud insects, upon
which they subsist. Their usual
gait is slow and stately march, but
they enliven themselves from time to
time by leaping up into the air, ex-
ecuting eccentric and fantastic
waltzes. and striking the most absurd
and preposterous attitudes. If pur-
sued they endeavor to save themselves
by running, for their flight is SO weak,
according to Schomburgk, that when
they attempt to fly over a body of
water of any considerable width they
are often obliged to drop upon it
and save themselves by swimming.
When 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 shout the
syllables 'tow, tow, tow; tow, tow,
tow" with his mouth shut, or the
doefnl noise, ,pade by children on New
Iyeur s with thvir urnpet-. rh. 5~L~~
Fmiks usually deposit their eggs in a
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 hatched, but do not lose their
pretty downy covering until several
weeks old. The yakamiks are very
readily tanned, and prove valuable
servants to the Indians, who domesti-
cate 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 q flock of sheep or domes-
tic fowls, and every morning will
drive the ducks and poultry to their
feeding places and, carefully collect
ing any stragglers, bring them safely
home at night. A yakamik soou learns
to know and to obey the voice of its
master, follows him, when permitted,
wherever he goes, and appears de-
lighted at receiving his caresses. It
repines 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.
It presents itself regularly during
meals, from which it chases all domes-
tic animals, and even the Africans who
wait on the table, if it is not veil ac-
quainted with them, and only asks for
share of the eatales after it has
driven away all who might aspire to a
favorable notice from the family. Ii
appreciates favors IN the same proper
ton as it is Jealous OF sharing them
with others, and manifests JOY and
pers and Sesticulatious. When the
animals OF which it has charge are
shut up for the night, the yakamik
roosts upon some shed or tree near al
hand TO be ready TO take It's place a:
keeper as soon as they are let out IL
the morning. One quality that make:
it valuable IS its sense Of location,
which is perfect, however far It may
wander with the focks or herds /,
| guards, 1t never fails 10 find It's way
home at night, driving before i; al TIC
Creatures ictrustad to its care