Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1916-09-07
Military Discipline Among Animals,

Military Discipline Among Animals.
In these days OF general interest
things military, il is interesting TO kno'
that certain animals are govenedby wha
appear TO be almost military regulations
Among animals only the gregarious, o
course, show qualities OF leadership and
discipline.
Wild horses obey their leader moro
implicitly than any soldier. however We
disciplined. Mustangs are wary, difficult
TO approach, and almost impossible ID
capture, owing 10 the devotion Will
which they follow their leader and TO
code OF signals that they never disregard.
A short, shril neigh is the command TO
flee; a ong-drawn, far carrying neigh is |
the rallying call when the herd is scatter
ed a squeal orders the stallious 10 stand
ready 10 fight off dangerous beasts; and
a wild snort indicates the sight or scent
OF man. The snort OF mustang can be
heard half mile or more.
Certain movements are also important
as signals. AT the first hint OF danger,
the horse that detects il throws his head
and tail high in the air. stands motionless.
and gazes tixedly in the direction from
which he anticipates trouble. Usually
that is enough 10 put The entire herd on
the alert. Should the enemy prove 10 be
bears, wolves, or any foe against which
the drove can defend itself, the signal
horse" dashes forward. prancing from
side 10 side, rearing, and striking the
ground. Should their most dreaded
enemy. man. be approaching. the horse
will circle far in toward the main body,
and as he turns for one last look he will
snort out trumpet-like blast. Then
with a rush, roar, and clatter OF hoois
the entire herd is gone-the leader In
front, the stations in the rear, the colts
IN the middle.
Even old. well-trained work horses
when turned out TO pasture will generally
select a leader and be governed by him.
The herd commander may be an old aud
gentle mare or the widest and wariest
horse OF the drove. In the latter case,
the herd often becomes almost as difficult
TO handle as so many wild horses, whereas
the old mare will keep her drove In the
most tractable condition.
The peccaries OF Mexico have battle
cry that is never disobeyed-a short,
vicious squeal. quickly repeated, and
kept up without ceasing. That noise
drives the little beasts frantic; all within
hearing rush to get into the fray. and
nothing short OF death stops their charge.
II the hunter does moi shoot his peccafy
so dead that il cannot emit single dying
squeal, his only safety lies In instant Hight.
The peccary has also note that sounds
the retreat. II is a grunt something like
the wool wool wooil" OF a bear as he
dashes away from danger. An American
guide who lives in Sonora. In Mexico.
can initiate that note, and says that he can
stampede gang OF the bruies al will with
il.
The baboons oil Africa probably have
the best military regulations of any oil the
animals. While they are feeding In a
dangerous place, they set sentries on
every side-big. wise, veteran baboons
that sit perfectly quiet and keep viglant
watch. Al sharp bark oil warning from
one Of these outposts, every ape ceases
his occupation; even the babies hush their
cries on the instant. AT another bark, all
may resume work or play; or, again, the
second note may carry different mes
sage; then the leader gives an order. and
all retreat rapidly 10 The denser parts OF
the forest.
When travelling, these creatures have
both front and rear guard. A half
dozen powerful apes scout well in front
OF The main body, now inspecting the
woods from the ground, now climbing 10
the tops OF The tallest trees. II the traveller
comes on tribe OF baboons. he usually
sees only one OF The scouts. which bares
his teeth saysgely, barks once. and Is
gone. Farther away, the hunter m OBJ
serve the whipping OF branches. as the
rest of the tribe retreat so rapidly that no
man can oyertake them. Should the OBJ
server happen upon the rear guard, he
will observe that they behave differently
from The scout. Not silent or cautious.
they constantly give quick, sharp COM
mands, now augriIy chiding some tagging
youngster, or giving another slap and
bite.
As far as we know, the baboons are
the only apes or other animals that post
sentry at night. Commonly, they sleep
in caves among the cliffs, and when all
have retired TO rest. you may be sure that
one Of their number will be wide awake,
sitting on some exposed rock or other
point Of vantage IRON which he can see
in every direction. Not even the leopard,
the most determined foe OF the baboon.
dares 10 attack them at night unless he
can surprise and kill the sentry. When
attacked, they will fight in defense OF
their families until The last man" is dead.