The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1902-11-27
HOW DUMB BRUTES FIGHT.
Each Species Has Its Distinctive
Method of Defense Against Its
Besetting Foes.


No living creature has been left II
defenseless condition by nature
yet few people in the world with the
exception of those who make a study
of animal life know exactly what
they are. In the herbiyorous animal
the defense gift, as il might be called
il more prominent than in the flesh
eating species, because the latter are
the relentless enemy OF the former,
says a writer in Nature.
The giraffe, one of the most pecu'
liarly built of the herbivorous ans
mails, and one that is rapidly becom'
ing extinct, will probably attract
more attention than any other ami
NAL in the menagerie. This animal is
a native of Samoaland, in Agrica,
and, being thin skinned, is supplied
by nature with remarkably sharp
hoofs, which he uses with great de-
structive force when attacked by
lions or tigers. A giraffe has been
known to virtually tear a lion into
| shreds.
The zebra also uses his hoofs, but
| in a different manner. Instead OF
striking he kicks. Zebras, when pur-
sued by carniyorous animals, will gal
lop for time. Suddenly they will
stop, former circle with their heads
| turned toward the center and kick
viciously and in unison at their en-
envy. In the formation of the circle
tba ,yao Lau+ a NINA u n 70 nlace1 in The
center, and in consequence are afford
ed an additional protection. In Ring
ling Brothers menagerie this season
are three beautiful specimens of the
zebra and all of them have demon
strated TO the animal men that their
ability as kickers has not been under
estimated by authors of books on
natural history.
The greatest kicker of the herbi-
vorous class is the cassowary. AL
though he has but two legs and
greatly resembles the Thanksgiving
turkey, his legs can easily do the
work of four when put into active
service. They are so thickly muscled
and the bird uses them with such
dexterity that he can break tigers
| back with one blow.
The Gland, which is the largest of
the antelope family, is furnished
with a pair of spiral-like horns, the
| points of which are as sharp as
freshly ground swords. With these
horns the Gland, while running in the
| - Ln Gel 80
impales his many adversaries of the
cat tribe on his horns and dashes
them to death on the sun-baked
ground.
The Russian white deer is devoid Of
horns and depends on razor-edged
horns to protect his family and him
self. Although very timid by nature,
he becomes perfect demon when
aroused and fights as long as life re-
mains. The llama also uses his hoofs
in the event of an attack.
The Danger, or gorka, known as
the wild mule of India, fights like the
Zebra and protects the young and
weak of his kind in the same man.
ner. He Is more timid than the zebra
and does not possess near the pluck.
The yak, from the highlands of the
Thibet, butts and tramples on his
enemy He is a great fighter, and
usually hunts trouble with lions and
tigers instead of endeavoring to
avoid them. His coat of extra long
coarse hair affords him considerable
m. ,tna tt,.,, al A
claws
The hippopotamus is not a fighter,
except among his own kind. He is a
born sluggard and is a great glutton,
and is continually getting into trou-
hle with his mates over the food sup
plies. If he fails to reach the water
when pursued and his enemy should
leap upon his back the hippopotamus
trusts to his thick hide to prevent
possible injury and endeavors to
crush his adversary by rolling over
on him. As hippopotamus weighs
from two tons, up one roll is usually
| sufficient to end the life of a lion,
tiger or other animal of the species.
That great beast the elephant is
supplied with an extraordinary thick
skin for protection. That he will
fight has been amply demonstrated
In the jungles OF Africa and India.
His common enemy, the tiger, al
ways leaps on him from the rear, II
is then the elephant turns to fight,
and often he has been known to wrap
his trunk about the body of a tiger
and dash the cat to death against q
tree.
EebrideRn Justice.
When King Edward landed at Por-
tree, in the Hebrides, the only per-
| son in sight was the local policeman,