The Portland daily press., 1896-03-06
A REMARKABLE BIRD.
That Cares for Flock of sheep as We'll
as aiShepherd Dog.

q. Garter Beard in Popular News.)
The natives of Venezuela and adjoin-
ing countries on the north side of the
river Amazon often avail themselves OF
the services Of 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 re-
markable bird, which the Indians call
yak-a-mik and ornithologists Psophia-
creptians, is found in wild state in the
great forests that lie between the mort
ern coasts of South America and the Am
azon river, particularly 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 in
scots. upon which they subsist. Their
usual gait is slow and stately ma rch,
bot they enliyen themselves from tim e
TO time by leaping up into the air, exc
cutlEg eccentric and fantastic waltzes,
and striking the most absurd and pre-
posterous attitudes. If pursued they en-
deavor to save themselves by running,
for their fight isso weak, according to
Schomburgk. that when they attempted
to dy over body of water Of any consid-
cradle width, they are often obliged to
drop upon 10 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
q person endeavoriug to shout the sylla-
bles "tow, tow, tow; tow, tow, town.
with his mouth shut, or the doleful noise
made by children on New Years with
their trumpets The yakaIniks usually
deposits their eggs in slight hollow in
the ground. often at the foot of tree.
A nest generally contains 10 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.
Ina yakamiks are very readily tanned,
and prove valuable servants to the In
dians who domestioats them, as they are
courageous, an d will protect animals in
trusted to their care at every risk 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 poultry 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 it's master, fol-
1VWo AiLs Wlcu p6I milUGu, Wu6IeV6F ne
goes, and appears delighted at receiving
his caressses. 1t repines at his absence
and welcomes his return, and Is extreme
~ jealous of any rival. Should any dog
or cat approach it flies at it with the ut
most fury, and, attacking it with wings
and beak drives it away.
1t presents itself regularly during
meals, from which it ohases all domestic
animals. and even the negroes who wait
on the table, it is not well 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. It appreciates favors
in the same proportion, as it is Jealous of
sharing them with others, and manifests
joy and affection by the most extrava-
CANT capers and gestioulations. When
the animals of which it has charge are
shut up for the night, the yakaimk roosts
upon some shed or tree near at hand to
be ready to take it's place as keeper as
soon as they are let out in the morning.
One quality that Daakes it valuable is it's
sense OF location, which is perfect how
ever far it may wander with the fiocks or
herds it guards it never fails to find it's
way home at night, driving before it all
the creatures intfustGd to its care.
1t is strange that several species of
South American birds of different gener-
q should share with the yakamik it's in
stinct of guarding and taking care of
domestic animals. One of these is the
crested screamer (Dicholophus cristatusl.
an other the horned cha una (Chauna
chavaria which is often domestioated rs
a poultry keeper by the natives.