Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1896-04-23
SHEPHERD slRn.
Ia Called the YakamIls and Takes Good
Care of Domestic Animals.

Care of Domestic Animals.
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 or Europeans,to guarc
and herd their domestic animals, says
the Popular Science News. This re-
markable bird which the Il ians cal
yakamilS, is found in wild state in the
great forests that lie between the
northern coasts of South America anc
the Amazon river, particularly in Vene'
zuela and British Guiana. The birds
never leave the forest unless shot OF
captured. They travel about in fiocks
of from 100 to ZOO in search of the ber'
ries, fruits and insects upon which they
subsist. Their usual gate is slow and
stately march, but they enliven them
selves from time to time by leaping ur
into the air, executing eccentric and
fantastic waltzes and striking the most
absurd and preposterous attitudes. IL
pursued they endeavor to save them
selves by running, for their flight is SO
weak, according to Schomburgk, 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 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 a 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 Year with their
trumpets. The yakamiks usually de-
post their eggs in hollow in the
ground. often at the foot of tree.
nest generally contains ten eggs, OF
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 very valuable servants TO
the Indians, who domesticate them, ana
as they are courageous and VIII pro-
tect 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 morning will drive the ducks and
poultry to their feeding places, ana,
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 permitted, wherever he goes,
and appears delighted at receiving his
caresses. 1t pines at his absence and
welcomes his return, and is extremely
Jealous of any rival. Should any dog
or cat approach, 1t flies at 1t with the
utmost fury and attacking 1t with
wings and beak, drives 1t away. 1t
presents itself regularly during meals,
from which 1t chases all domestic AMI
mails, and even the negroes who wait on
the table, II 1t is not well acquainted
with them, and only asks for share Of
the eatables after 1t has driven away all
who might aspire to favorable notice
from the family. 1t appreciates ia
yors in the same proportion as 1t is
Jealous OF sharing them with others and
manifests Joy and affection by the most
extravagant capers and gesticulations'
When the animals Of which 1t has
charge are shut up for the night, the
yakamik roosts upon some shed or tree
near at hand, to be ready to take MS
place as keeper as soon as they are let
out in the morning. One quality that
makes 1t valuable is its sense OF loca-
ton, which is perfect; however far 1t
may wander with the fiocks or herds II
guards it never fails to find its way
home at night, driving before 1t all the
creatures intrusted to his care.