The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-01-17
MUNYON'S:
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crops OF specimens which have been killed.
This bird is very skillful fisher 1t
haunts the low, marshy islands in the riv-
ers and lakes of central Africa, with elo-
plants, monkeys ilamingOcs and mRny
varieties Of birds for its companions, and
gains its principal food from the water.
They often go in companies of ~ to ~ to
fish Wading i'm the water, the birds form a
circle, which they gradually draw togeth-
er, gathering the frightened fish in tho
center of the net when with their long
bills and quick movements they speedily
provide themselves with hearty meal.
Although marabou mammas have been
seen proudly parading round with n
brood of diminutive downy young ones
so shy and retiring is this bird in its do
mestic habits that naturalists have been
unable to determine when and how it
builds its nest The natives assert that It
nests in high trees, but their statement Is
not confirmed.
In captivity the marabou is lord of the
inclosure, and in geological gardens,
where specimens have been confined, no
other birds, nor even small beasts, dare
approach the feeding trough until the hun
ger of this impudent bird is satisfied and
it has retired TO the warmest corner for q
nap The immense strength of its bill
makes it formidable enemy, and when
/ fighting for food it will often overcome
| the largest vultures and wage successful
/ battles with beasts of prey.
The hyena inhabits the same portions of
/ Asia and Africa as the marabou, and
travellers give accounts of terrible con
tests between these two singular members
of the animal kingdom. The hyena is
called the vulture among beasts, as 1t pre-
fers carrion for its food, and as long as II
can find dead animals to devour it leaves
the hocks and herds in peace. Cowardly
by nature it rarely attacks man or beast
unless driven to desperation by hunger.
The striped hyena inhabits the northern
ATTITUDES of Africa, Persia and Syria, while
the spotted species, which is easily tanned
and is sometimes called hyena dog, is
found in large numbers in the vast plains
of South Africa.
The hyena is a strange looking beast
1t has a big head and heavy, shaggy
name. The hind part of its body is muot
lower than its shoulders and its hind legs
are short. This odd form alton gives it al
awkward, shambling manner of walking
which is both ludicrous and hideous.
This creature rarely shows itself by day
but when the shadows of night fall on tht
z DlnllS anu lOItHln ~ NblllOo bho AiOii ~
home among the rocks and caverns il
search of food. African travellers are mucl
annoyed by it. When the camp is silen
and all are sleeping, the hyena come
prowling round uttoring hoarse humal
cries and should it fail to find suflicien
camp refuse to satisfy it's hunger, som
poor donkey is sure to be torn in pieces b.
its terribly strong jaws.
Few animals have been the subject q
so much superstition. In ancient time
it was believed that dog went mad if
hyena turned its evil eye upon it, and th
beast was believed by many TO be wicke
surcerer, who went about in human furr
by day and at night assumed the shape c
hyena The poor and ignorant peasant
ry of Arabia, even at the present day, b'
lieve in the evil eye of this beast and al
afraid to - Iot it lest thcy should incu
tie wrath of the wicked spirit which the
Imagine walks the earth in this ugly form
The poor hyena, however, far from b'
'lng an evil spirit, is "A real blessing TO th
regions it iuhabits, as it is a natural sca'
enger, provided by the kind wisdom {
nature to clear the ground of much loatl
some and decaying matter, thereby rende
ing the air swoeter and purer and MOI
healthful Exchange.