The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-08

The American vulture differs in many
ways from the fanconine types found in
the old world. The difference lies rather
in anatomical structure than in habits.
DR., Shufeldt has devoted much time to
the study of the turkey vulture, but al
ways found it difficult to secure a salts
factory photograph until the summer of
1896 Then it happened that his son slight
ly wounded fine male speciman, which
was kept alive for almost a fortnight.
after he had practically recovered
from his wounds he was made the subject
for my camera upon one or two occasions
and at the second attempt 1 succeeded
in obtaining life size picture of his head,
that for the exhibition of characteristic
and general appearance was quite salts
factory. He proved to be not the easiest
subject in the world, and those who have
ever tried this experiment can appreci-
ate the pride 1 felt upon presenting the
fine production of my attempt"
DIR. Shufeldt is probably the first OBJ
server to call attention to the protective
mimicry in bats. He tells us that one
warm evening last autumn he was passing
through an extensive swamp in which
there was close underground of hazel
oaks, dwarf magnolias and dogwood.
Many of the leaves had already been
changed to a great variety Of shades OF
brown, bay, chestnut and thel ike, and
many had already fallen to the ground
For a moment I stood quiet with my
gun to recatch the note of a vireo that I
had heard, but the bird had escaped me.
The twigs of the underground came very
near my face. and 1 had been peering
those Of a small oak for several moments.
BY the command of the advancing sea-
son many Of the leaves were now curled
up and changed to bright browns OF
divers shades. and a. a passing glance
one Of these seemed to me to possess I'M
usually black vein markings, and
reached out to pull it off its twig All this
took but the fraction of an instant, and
just before my hand came in contact with
this supposed-to-be leaf discovered it 10
be a fine specimen of the male Of our lit
tie red bat (Atalapha borealis) This lit
tie animal had been suspended within
yard of my face for certainly nearly ten
minutes, and yet I had noticed ii only
as I came to move away. As it hung
there by its feet its resemblance 20 a
dead and withered leaf was truly remark
able, and studied this effect very closely
before 1 secured the specimen
Even in the common toad this careful
student finds much 10 interest the lay as
well as the scientific reader. One of its
chief characteristics. ne points out. con-
sists in the large protuberant warts on
its skin. which secretes an acrid fluid
very obnoxious TO carnlverous animals.
and probably protection against their
attacks. These batrachians have four toes
in front and five behind as in the frogs
on the latter they are Joined usually By
complete webs Of membrane. Instances !
have occurred Of these animals having |
been found embedded in indurated clay.
the solid trunks OF trees. and even in !
rocks, where il was believed they had re- /
manned for years. perhaps for ages. Yet /
when hb>ls1ed they came fully % life
The general opinion Of scientific natural /
lists Is that these accounts are either IN |
true or inaccurate. They believe that the !!
toads may srbsist for a long time. per /
haps for years. with very little food OF /
air. and thai they may have been found |
apparently enclosed in solid substances.
but that in point OF fact there was some |
crack or crevice through which they OBJ 1
tanned air and small insects sufficient u /
support life. Through the same crack or
crevice they may have crawled IN ;he.- |
diminuuve youth and remained in thelr
new quarters unLl they had grown too /
large 70 eject a. exit