THE FARMER AT HOME. 329 



in the most eccentric manner, and throws somersets. This is some- 

 times called the mad hird, on account of these singularities. The 

 crane expands its wings, runs round in circles, leaps, and, throwing 

 little stones and pieces of wood in the air, endeavors to catch them 

 again, or pretends to avoid them, as if afraid. Water birds, such as 

 ducks and geese, dive after each other, and cleave the surface of the 

 water with outstretched neck and flapping wings, throwing an abun- 

 dant spray around. It is amusing to witness the sportive habits of 

 turkies. Sometimes the whole flock, more particularly when the 

 young brood is about half-grown, will start off like race horses, upon a 

 run, as if a wager were to be awarded to the swiftest. Birds of the 

 pie kind are the analogues of monkeys, full of mischief, play, and 

 mimicry. There is a story told of a tame magpie, which was seen 

 busily employed in a garden gathering pebbles, and with much 

 solemnity and a studied air, dropping them in a hole about eighteen 

 inches deep, made to receive a post. After dropping each stone, it 

 cried currack ! triumphantly, and set off for another. On examining 

 the spot, a poor toad was found in the hole, which the magpie was 

 stoning for his amusement. Deer often engage in a sham battle on a 

 trial of strength, by twisting their horns together and pushing for the 

 mastery. All animals that pretend 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, 

 attempts to throw him and makes feints of biting him. Some animals 

 carry out in their play the semblance of catching their prey ! young 

 cats, for instance, leap after every small and moving object, even to 

 the leaves strewed by the autumn wind ; they crouch and steal for- 

 ward ready for the spring ; the body quivering and the tail vibrating 

 with emotion, they bound on the moving leaf, and again watch, and 

 again spring forward at another. Rengger saw young jaguars and 

 cuguars playing with round substances like kittens. Young lambs 

 collect together on the little hillocks and eminences in their pastures, 

 racing and sporting with each other in the most interesting manner. 

 Horned cattle, particularly steers and young oxen, may be seen exer- 

 cising together with their horns, as if they were taking lessons in 

 means of self-defence. And calves will seemingly enjoy their frolics 

 and gambols as much as boys in playing ball, or hide and seek. 



PLANTAIN. This fruit is eaten to a remarkable extent by the 

 inhabitants of the torrid zone. From its nutritious qualities and 

 general use, it may, whether used in a raw or dressed form, be re- 

 garded rather as a necessary article of food than as an occasional lux- 

 ury. In tropical countries, the plantain is one of the most interesting 

 objects of cultivation for the subsistence of man. Three dozen fruits 

 will maintain a person, instead of bread, for a week, and appears bet- 

 ter suited to him in warm countries than that kind of food. Indeed, 

 the plantain is often the whole support of an Indian family. The 



