Chatterbox Stories of Natural History Part 10

X--THE XEMA.

_In far-off lands, 'neath northern skies, And on the surfy sh.o.r.e, Lives the lone Xema, and delights In ocean's thunder roar._

MOTHER AND PUPS.

The dog that you see here looking quite maternal with her family around her, is the sheep dog, the shepherd's faithful and invaluable friend. It is the most sagacious and intelligent of all dogs, and volumes of anecdotes might be written of its intelligence and affection.

Mr. St. John, in his "Highland Sports," tells the following: "A shepherd once, to prove the quickness of his dog, who was lying before the fire where we were talking, said to me in the middle of a sentence concerning something else, 'I'm thinking, sir, the cow is in the potatoes;' when the dog, who appeared to be asleep, immediately jumped up, and leaping through the open window and on to the roof of the house, where he could get a view of the potato field, and not seeing the cow there, he looked into the farm-yard, where she was, and finding that all was right, returned to his old position before the fire."

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THE FRIENDLY TERNS.

One day Mr. Edward, the Scotch naturalist shot at a Tern, hoping to secure the beautiful creature as a specimen. The ball broke the bird's wing, and he fell screaming down to the water. His cries brought other terns to the rescue, and with pitiful screams they flew to the spot where the naturalist stood, while the tide drifted their wounded brother toward the sh.o.r.e. But before Mr. Edward could secure his prize, he observed, to his astonishment, that two of the terns had flown down to the water, and were gently lifting up their suffering companion, one taking hold of either wing. But their burden was rather heavy; so, after carrying it seaward about six or seven yards, they let it down, and two more came, picked it up, and carried it a little farther. By means of thus relieving each other they managed to reach a rock where they concluded they would be safe.

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[Ill.u.s.tration: AN EXCITING TAIL.]

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Y--THE YAK.

_In Central Asia, far away, 'Mid Thibet's pastures green, With s.h.a.ggy hide and bushy tail, The valued Yak is seen._

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Z--THE ZEBRA.

_As strong and swift as any horse, The Zebra skims the plain; With glossy bands of deepest black, Long ears, and upright mane._

SHEEP AND LAMBS.

_The sheep were in the fold at night; And now a new-born lamb Totters and trembles in the light, Or bleats beside its dam.

How anxiously the mother tries, With every tender care, To screen it from inclement skies, And the cold morning air!

The hail-storm of the east is fled, She seems with joy to swell; While ever, as she bends her head, I hear the tinkling bell.

So while for me a mother's prayer Ascends to Heaven above, May I repay her tender care With grat.i.tude and love._

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[Ill.u.s.tration: THE WATER-RAT.

THE WILD CAT.

THE WEASEL.

THE SYRIAN DOG.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE GLOW-WORM.

THE LOCUST.

THE HERCULES BEETLE.

THE CHAMELEON.]

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THE CAPTIVE SQUIRREL

"Squirrel--squirrel lithe and wee!

Thy fur's as soft as down can be, Thy teeth as ivory are white, Yet hard enough through nuts to bite.

"Squirrel--squirrel lithe and wee!

How gladly would I purchase thee-- But mother says: 'Twill never do, Thou nibblest table, book and shoe.'"

Squirrel--squirrel hung his head; "Oh! speak not thus," he sadly said, "Heav'n gave me once a woodland home Where I the livelong day might roam, And gaily leap from branch to twig As blithe and merry as a grig; Then came a wicked man who laid The snare by which I'm captive made, And now 'twill be my mournful doom Instead of in the forest free, To live pent in a narrow room By way of bush or stately tree!

What wonder if, thus sad and lorn, From all my dearest habits torn, A-foraging I sometimes go And get a snubbing or a blow?

Child, should you on some summer's day, Within the greenwood chance to stray, I pray you that from me you greet The happy creatures that you meet, The fawns, ants, sparrows and the hares And tell them how with me it fares, That while they leap, creep, sing and fly.

In chains and prison I must lie."