Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 232, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 October 1918 — Birds and Animals Pretend Violence in Play, but They Stop Short in Exercising It [ARTICLE]

Birds and Animals Pretend Violence in Play, but They Stop Short in Exercising It

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 somersaults. Some call it “the mad bird,” on account of its 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 orangutang, in wrestling with his keeper, pretends to throw him, and makes feints of biting him. Some animals carry out in their play a semblance of catching their prey ; young cats, for instance, leap after every small and moving object, even to leaves strewn by the autumn wind. They crouch and steal forward, ready for the spring; with the body quivering and tail vibrating with emotion, they bound on the moving leaf and again spring forward to another.