ANIMALS AT PLAY

Cromwell Argus, Volume L, Issue 2644, 13 October 1919, Page 7

ANIMALS AT PLAY

THE MISCHIEVOUS MAGPIE. Small birds chase each other about in play ; but perhaps the conduct of the crane and the trumpeter is the most extraordinary. The latter stands on one leg, hops about in the most eccentric manner, and throws somersa\ilts. Some call it “the mad bird,” on account of these singularities. Water birds, such as ducks and geese, dive after each other, and clear the surface .of the water with outstretched neck and flapping wings, throwing abundant spray around. Deer often engage in a trial of strength by twisting their horns together and pushing for the mastery. All animals pretending violence in their play stop short of exercising it; the dog takes the greatest precaution not to injure by his bite ; and the ourang-outang, in wrestling with his keeper, pretends to throw him, and makes feints of biting him. Pome animals carry out in their play the semblance of catching their Prey ; young cats, for instance, leap alter every small and moving object, even to leaves strewn by the autumn wind. They crouch and steal forward ready for the spring ; with body quivering, and tail vibrating with emotion, they bound on the moving leaf, and again spring forward to another. Birds of the magpie kind are like monkeys, full of mischief, play, and mimicry. There is a story of a tame magpie that was seen busily employed in a garden gathering pebbles, and with so much solemnity and a studied air dropping them in a hole made to receive a post. After drop- | ping each stone it cried “Currack !” j triumphantly, and set off for another. On; examining the spot a toad j was found in the hole, which the \ magpie was stoning for his amuse-, ment. |