Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1896-03-27
veNEzueLAs SHEPHERD eIRp.
It Is Called the Yaknmik and Il rs Good
as n Dog For Caring For = Flock.

rs Dog for Caring for fioch'
The natives Of Venezuela and adjoin-
ing countries on the north side Of the
river Amazon often avail themselves Of
the services Of Il 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
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, particu-
larly in Velezuela and British Guiana.
The birds never leave the forests unless
shot or captured. They travel about in
hocks Of from 100 to 200, in search Of
the berries, fruits and insects upon
which they subsist. Their usual gait is
a slow and stately march, but they en-
liven themselves from time to time by
leaping mp into the air. executing &C.
centric aud fantastic waltzec, and strik-
ing the most absurd and preposterous
attitudes. If pursued they endeavor to
save themselves by running, for their
fight 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 alarmed, 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 a hollow in the
ground, often at the foot of tree.
A nest generally contains ten eggs of
q pale green color. The young birds fol-
low 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,
dams, 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
10 yield to their authority. They may
be- trusted with the care Of a flock of
lheep or domestic fowls, and every
morning will drive the ducks and poal-
ny to their feeding places and. carefully |
any stragglers, bring them
afely home at night. A yakamik soon
earns to know and to obey the voice of
is master, follows him, when permit
ed, wherever he goes, and appears de-
lighted at receiving his caresses. It re-
lines at his absence and welcomes his
eturn. and is extremely jealous of any
ival. Should any dog or cat approach !
t flies at it with the utmost fury. and I
and beak drives ,
ttacking it with wings ,
! away.
1t presents itself regularly during
leals, from which ii chases all domestic
hAhoAof ahN OfCh tho ncbhOoo VIM Woit 4
n the table, II it is not we'll acquainted i.
nth them, and only asks for a share Of !
be eatables after it has driven away all
Tho might aspire to a favorable notice
'om the family. 1t appreciates favor in
ne same proportion as it is jealous Of
laring them with others. and manifests
" and affection by the most extrava-
ant capers and gesticulations. When Il
10 animals Of which it has charge are Il
tut mp for the night the yakamik roosts o.
pom some shed or tree near ct hand to Il
, ready TO take its place as keeper as ii
ION as they are let out in the morning. 81
ne quality that makes il valuable is Il
s sense Of location, which is perfect 81
1wever far it may wander with the "
ocks OF herds il guards, 1t never fails In
find its way home at night, driving re
fore 1t all the creatures intrusted to in
J care. Sc
1t is strange that several species Of 81
nth American birds Of different genera Of
ould share with the yakamik its in m
'nct Of guarding and taking care Of n
'msftio animals. Qns Of theap Il the M