Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-30
WILD CREATURES.
The Charm in the Study of Their
Homes and Habits.

From ST. Nicholas.
There is a peculiar charm and interest
in the study of the homes of wild crea-
lures. Their efforts and the results In
building these even if crude, appeal to
our sympathies.
We have admired, and to some extent
have investigated, the nests of the more
familiar birds: we have seen the squirrel
make his home in some dead tree or ho-
low limb; we have. perhaps. studied the
muskrat and his peculiar. dome-shaped
house. Few people, however, have had
tended study.
Among birds. the home Of the bald
eagle is perhaps the most striking. pos
sibly because Of the majesty of the bird
itself. 1t appeals to the imagination.
Built of huge sticks loosely interviewer.
and situated on some lofty and inacces-
sble ledge, with the bones OF the eagles
victims scattered round about, it gives a
proper setting to the stern and savage
character of its builder. Here the Gag.
reigns supreme. and here year after year
he and his mate rear their young. This
is the aerie from which he can scan the
whole countryside and. like the robber
barons of old, levy toll on all who pass
his door.
Far in tho still. white north. where
winter reigns supreme, is the home of
the polar bear. When the long arctic
night approaches the bear retires to some
sneltered spot. such as the cleft of rock
or tie foot of some preciptous bank. In
very short time he is effectually con-
cealed by the heavy snoWdrifts Some
times the bear waits until after q heavy
1ail OF snow, and then digs white cavern
OF the requisite form and size Such is
his home for six long months
Our common little cottontail or so
called rabbit. does not live in a burrow
as does the English rabbit. but makes a
slight depression in the ground. i'm which
she lies fatty pressed to the earth as
to be scarcely dstinguishable from the
soil and the dried heritage in which her
abode is situated. The rabbit is strongly
attached to its home. wherever it may be
placed, ard. even If driven to a great
distance from 1t. contriveS to regain it's
little domicile at the earliest opportunity
One of the most grewsome among ami
mai homes is the VOLTS den. This is
simply hole dug in the side of a bank
or small! natural cave. generally sit
uafed on the sunny side of ridge, and
almost hidden by bushes and loose
boulders. Here the wolf lies snug: i'm and
about his doorway lie the remains of
past feasts. which. coupled with his own
odor. makes the VOLTS den q not very
something SO dread and mysterious about
this soft-footed marauder that it even
lends fascination to his rome.
\ "f1y-by-night'' sort of home is that of
our friend the bob-white; yet it seems to
serve the purpose very we'll. Under the
broad. low bough of small Line or cedar
tree the flock take their nights repose
Quail, in retiring, always sit i'm a circle
with their heads outward, and SO they
rest presenting a barricade of sharp
eyes and sharper ears against possible
danger.
The home of the elegant little harvest
mouse next claims our attention. 1t is
built upon three or four rank grass stems
and Is situated a foot or so from the
ground. In form it is globular and about
four inches in diameter 1t is composed
of thin dry grass, is OF nearly uniform
substance, and open and airy in construc
ton. 1t shows great cleverness in this
little animal. which is the smallest Of
mammals.
The winter home of the American red
deer is very interesting. When the snow
begins to fly the leader of the herd
guides them to some sheltered spot where
proventer is plentiful. Here as the snow
falls. they pack 1t down. tramping out
considerable space. while about them the
snow mounts higher and higher until they
cannot get out if they would. From the
main opening, or yard" as it is called,
tramped-out paths lead to the nearby
trees and shrubbery, which supply them
with food. In this way they manage to
pass the winter i'm peace and safety
One could go on erumerating bird and
animal homes by the score and they
would all be of interest. The present
space. however. will not permit of going
further. The writer has, therefore, sim
ply described some of the more curious of
the homes, as well as those presenting
the widest contrast.