The Jennings daily record. [volume] (Jennings, La.) 1900-1903, 1902-05-03
ODDITIES OF THE ARCTICS..
How, the Animals Change. COIor-A
Domestic Tyrnnt.-

During the summer months much of the
land becomes free from snow and ice UNI
der the joint action of sun and wind and
the snow that resists removal is darkeed
by a deposit of fine dust particles In this
season the animals wear their darker
clothing, and birds have. by. way OF!
change, less gaudy plumage. The back
ground against which they stand would
betray their presence il the white dress OF.
winter were worn now; then too, 1t
makes it possible for. the foxes. ducks and
other animals and birds to crafty a nat
ural vanity by putting on, for a time at,
least, another coat.
In winter, white is again worn. The
background snow snow and ice, and the
only chace which the Arctic chicken now
has to deceive the fox is to roll up like L,
ball and simulate q. lump of ice. The ice
bear is equipped successfully to creep
upon the ever-watc hful, seal. because he
looks like the other blocks OF white
around him. He remembers, however. his
black nose, and is said to be sharp enough
to cover it with his paw while approach
ing his DOING prey.
The seal does. not stop his search, for
food until he has completely satisfied his
excellent appetite. then he takes a gpod
nap, lying upon the very edge of the ice.
close possible to, his breathing
hole. The slightest sound, Will awaken
him. and, without, waiting to find ont, the
source or direction. he rolls into. the
water. He can stay under for only
thirt y-five minutes, but where ha Will,
come UP none can tell. This
knows better than the bear; and If the
bear realizes thta. 1t is Impossible To steal,
up the leeward side of the seal. hay
ing his black nose covered with his paw
and his bloodshot eyes, closed, when the
seal has his open and. on the watch he
looks about for a faVora BILE point of de-
parture, dives under the ice, and If fss-
rightly Judges the distance and direction.
he comes 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
Th.ah eaI cir Ire "a or
cited an ideal mother. and touching
stories are told OF her plucking the down
from her own breast to make the Isest in
which to, hatch her, young. 1t is also said
thta If the hunters take the down, she
will despoil herself for the second time.
calling upon the selfish drake until
she has literally stripped herself. The
drake is declared to- be strict in keeping
his, ntae to, her. duties. insisting that she
shall attend 40 the work OF Matching. If
the duck veatures upon a walk, he does
not offer to take her place while she goes
gadding about but, perhaps knowing she
is too fond of idleness, cruelty drives her
bac ok to her household duty. The duck
lays only five eggs. and If she feels that
her nest is large enough and warm
enough to hold more, she boldly robS her
neighhors. carrying the eggs one at
time, under her wing, until she has seven
or eight.
However when the brood is Matched,
the drake becomes the teacher TO the
young. Not in swimming, Tor thta comes
naturally. but in diving, which is a means
of fight as well for finding food The
little duck. coming into life above water,
hesitates to risk 1t by going under nor
will he follow the oft-repeated eNampe OF
his parents. When 1t becomes necessary
to resort to force, the drake comes quietly
near the unwilling pupil, suddenly throws
wing over him, and dives down The
| little one Is let go under water. and COM
| ing to the surface unframed, even il
somewhat startled he is ready to start
| diving on hts own account--St. Nichoias'