The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1930-05-02
A Home
In The Wilderness

Continued from page 81

pearance of which surprised us
much. This was the abode, under
one roof, of a whole colony OF
birds, about the size of yellow
hammers, but plain brown plum
age. The nests were built in a
mass round the stem and among
the branches of a tree standing
alone, and a kind of roof formed
of grass, straws and fibers cover
ed them all, and sheltered the
community from rain and the
heat of the sun. There were a
number of openings into the If
regular sides of the group of dwell
lings, the nests resembling differ
ent apartments in a house COM
mon to all; twigs and small
branches emerged here and there
from the walls, and served as
perches for the young birds, and
resting places and posts of obser-
walton for all. The general ap-
of the establishment re-
minded us of a huge bath-sponge.
The feathered inhabitants swarm
ed in and out by thousands, and
we saw among them many beauti-
full little parrots, who seemed in
many instances to contest posses
sion of the nest with the lawful
owners.
Fritz, being an expert climber
and exceedingly anxious to exam
inc the nests more closely, ascend
ed the tree, hoping to obtain mi
or two young birds, if any were
Matched. He put his hand into
several holes, which were empty;
-but as last his intended theft and
robbery met with repulse and
chastisement he little expected;
for, reaching far back into the
nest, his finger was siezed and
sharply bitten by a very strong
beak, so that with a cry he with
drew his hand, and shook it Wig
Grously to lessen the pain. Re-
covering from the surprise, he
again and more resolutely seized
the unkind bird, and, despite its
shrieks and screams, drew it from
its retreat, crammed it into his
pocket, buttoned up his coat, and
slid quickly to the ground, pur-
sued by numbers of the captive's
relations, who darted from the
other holes and flew round the
robber, ~screeching and pecking at
him in a rage.
Fritz's prize was not one of the
real owners of the nests, which
were those sociable g%rosbeak, but
very pretty small green parrot,
with which he was greatly pleased
and which he at once determined
to tame and teach to speak; for
the present it was carefully re-
manded to prison in his pocket.
This curious colony of birds af-
us matter for conversation
rs we went on our way; their
cheerful, sociable habits, and the
instinct which prompted them to
unite in labor for the common
good, appearing most wonderful
o us.
Examples of the kind, however,
Ire numerous" l said, lin various
of animals. Beavers, for
Instance, build and live together
n a very remarkable way. Bees
vasps, and ants are will known
Is social architects; in like man.
ler, the coral insect works won
Iers beneath the waves, by
orce of perseverance and united |
fort" L
81 have often watched ants at ,
said Fritz; it is most :
musing to see how they carry
the various works and duties 0
f their commonwealth" j
"Have you ever noticed how i
luch trouble they take with the $
ggs?" inquired |, to see how far o
g understood the process; Garry
lg them about in the warmth Of t;
he u until they are Matched" Il
"Ah! that is rather the chrysa- il
s of the antworm, Or larva which Ii
produced from an egg. / know o
ley are called ants eggs, but,
speaking, that is incor- u
Al
you are perfectly right, my d.
by. Well, if you have taken so fir
UGH interest in watching the lit h,
e ants of your native country, a.
)w delighted and astonished you m
.uld be to see the wonders per- W
rmed by the vast tribes of bl
rye ants in foreign lands. 81
Some of these build heaps or W
,sts, four or six feet high and &C
oportionately broad, which are be
strong and firm that they defy
ually sunshine and rain. They is
within, divided into regular in
'eets, galleries, vaults and nur-
ries. So firmly are these mounds a