The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-03-26
vENszUELA'S SHEPHERD BIRD
1t IL Called the Yskamik and Is as Goo
as a Dog for Csrin- TO a Flock.

as Dog for Carin- TO Flock.
From the Popular Science News.
The natives of Venezuela and adJoin-
ing countries on the north side or 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 and Europeans. to
guard and herd their domestic animals.
This remarkable bird, which the In
dams call yakamik and ornithologists
Psophia crepitans is found in a wild
state in the great forests that lie be-
tween the northern coast of South
America and the Amazon river, parti-
cularly in Venezueia and British
Guiana. The birds never leave the
forest unless shot or captured. They
travel about in fiocks 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 enliven them selves from time
TO time by leaping up into the air,
executing eccentric and fantastic
waitZes, 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 ito 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 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 Years with
their trumpets. The yakamiks usually
deposit their eggs in a hollow in the
+ ground, often at the foot of a 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 pref
ty downy covering until several weeks
old. The yakamiks are very readily
tanned, and prove valuable servants to
the Indians, 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 to yield to their au-
thority. 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
lows him, when permitted, wherever he
goes, and appears delighted at receiv-
ing his caresses. 1t repineS at his abb
sence and welcomes his return. Should
any dog or cat approach, IL flies at II
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 domes-
tic animals, and even the negroes who
wait on the table, If IL is not well ac'
quainted with them, and only asks fol
share of the eatabes after IL has
driven away all who might aspire 4
a favorable notice from the family. j
appreciates favors in the same proper
ton as it is jealous of sharing then
with others, and manifests joy and af
lection by the most extravagant caper'
and gesticulations. When the animal
of which it has charge are shut up 70
the night the yakamik roosts upoi
some shed or tree near at hand, to b.
ready to take it's place as keeper al
soon as they are let out in the morn
ing. One quality that makes IL valua
BILE is its sense OF location, which i
perfect; however far IL may wande
with the f1ocks or herds IL guards,
never fails to find its way home a
night, driving before ii all the Great
ures entrusted TO it's care.
II Is strange that several species o
South American birds of different gene
ra should share with the yakamik 1t
instinct of guarding and taking care Q
domestic animals. one of these Is tn
crested screamer, Oicholophus srista
tils) another the horned chauna (Chau
ma chavaria) which is often domest
Gated as a poultry keeper by the ma
tives.