The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1896-05-22
SHEPHERD BIRD.
A Venezuelan Crane That Herds
Domestic Animals.
II Strikes Absurd Attitudes and
Dances Fantastic Waltzes.

The natives Of Venezuela and ad.
joining countries on the north side OF
tho river Amazon often avail them.
selves Of the services Of a native crane
to care for their poultry, aud also, in
pc place Of collies or shepherd dogs,
used by North Americans and Euro
peans. to guard and herd their domes.
tic animals.
This remarkable bird, which the In
dians call yakamik and ornithologista
Psophia crepitans, is found in a wild
state in the great forests that lie be-
tween tho northern coasts Of South
America and the Amazon river, par
ticularly in Venezuela and British
Guiana. The birds never leave
the forest unless shot or cap
tured They travel about in
Aooks of from 100 TO 200, in search
OF the berries, fruits aud insects, upon
which they subsist Their usual
gait is a slow aud stately march, but
they enliyen 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 endeayor to save themselves
by running, for their fight is so weak,
according 10 Sehomburgk, 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 trumpetera. The sound is
something like that produced by a
person endeavoring to shout the
syllables "tow, tow, tow; tow, tow,
tow" with his mouth shut, or the
doeful noise made by children on New
years with their trumpets. The yaka-
miks 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 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 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 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 soon 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. 1t
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.
1t 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 we'll ac-
quainted with them, and only asks for
a share of the oatalos after it has
driven away all who might Inspire to a
favorable notice from the family. 1t
appreciates favors in the same proper
ton as it is jealous of sharing them
with others, and manifests Joy and
affection by the most exravagant ca
pers and gesticulations. When the
animals Of which it has charge are
shut up for the night, the yakamil1
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. Onequality that makes
it valuable is its sense of location,
which is perfect; however far it may
wander with the focks or herds it
guards, it never fails to find its way
home at night, driving before it oil the
creatures Entrusted to its care.