Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-04-03
ODDITIES Of THE ARCTICS.
How the Animals Change Color-A
Dome stic TYrant.

During the summer months much Of tho
land becomes free from snow and ice an.
der the joint action of sun and wind. and
the snow that resists removal is darkenc1
By deposit of fine dust particles. In this
season the animals wear their darker
Clothing. and birds have by way o!
change. a less gaudy plumage, says ST
Nicholas. Tho background agcirst which
they stand would betray their presence If
the white dress of winter were worn now
then, too. 1t makes it possible for the
foxes ducks, and other animals and birds
tc crafty natural vanity by pdttiny on
fer time at least. another coat.
IL winter, white is again worn. The
background is now snow end ice and the
only chance which the Artic chicken now
has to deceive the fox is to roll up like Il
ball and simulate lump of ice. The ice
bear is equipped successfully to creep upnl
the cver-watchfu seal. because he looks
like the other blocks of white around him
He remembers, however. his black nose
end is said to be sharp enough to cover 1,
with his paw while approaching his 1oz
ing prey.
The seal does not stop lis search for
food until he has completely satisfied his
excellent appetite; then he takes a good
nap. lying upon the very edge of the ice
| or as close as possible to his breathing
hole. The slightest sound will awaken
Elm, and. without waiting to find out the
eourcc Or direction, he rolls into the water
He can stay under for tn'y 35 minutes
but where he will come w mere can tell
This no one knows better than the bear
| end if the bear realizes that II IL inpossi.
BILE to steal up en- the leew ard side u the
cal, having his black nose covered will
his paw and MS bloc dshot eyes closed
when the seal has his cl,en ard on tho
watch, he looks about for favorable
| point CT departure, dives under the ice
and # he rightly judges the distance anC
direction, he come; up at the very spot
where the seal had expected TO go down
The seals fate Is thus settled, and The
| bears shrewdness earns its reward.
| The beautiful eider-duck has often beer
cited as an ideal mother. and touchnl
| stories are told of her plucking the iowr
frcm her o~n breast to rake the nest II
which to hatch her yourg. 1t is also sale
that If the hunters take the down. she vii
despoil herself for the second time no
calling upon the selfish drake until she ha.
literally stripped herself The drake 4
declared % be strict IN keeping his mat,
to her duties. insisting that she shall at
| tend to the work of Matching. If the duel
ventures upon walk be does not ofe
| to- take her place while she goes gaddn;
about but, perhaps knowing she Is to,
fcnd of idlenesa cruelty drives her bacl
to her household duty 7 he duck lays onI,
five egss ard II she feels that her nest i.
large enough and arm enough to hole
more. she boldly robs her neyhlors. car
r!ing the eggs, one at al time under he
wing. until she has seven or eight.
| However, when the brood is Matched, tn,
drake become; the teacher to the younA
Not in swimming, Tor that co7rcs natural
! ~, but in diving. which is a means -
flight as we'll as for finding food. The lit
tie duck coming into life above water
hesitsies to risk it by going under. no
will he follw the oft-reIeated example G
his parents. When 1t becomes necessar,
TO resort to force, the drake comes ouirtl,
near the unwilling pupil, suddenly throw
wing over him. and dives down. The 1T
tie one is let go ur1 Ter water, and comm.
to the surface unharn ed, even II some
wat startled. he is ready to start divin,
{ n his own account