The Humming Bird. 43 



Stoat, its plumage being composed of various shades of bro\^■^, 

 grey, &c., during the summer months, like other birds 

 belonging to the grouse family, and then turning pure white 

 in the winter. The Reindeer is an inhabitant of countries 

 which are under snow for the greater part of the year, like 

 Lapland, and these countries being also the home of thousands 

 of hungry wolves, which are the worst enemies of the 

 Reindeer, the latter would be in constant danger were it not 

 for the large size and peculiar formation of his hoofs, which 

 are cloven like those of other deer, but which are very large 

 and which, moreover, spread apart over the snow instead of 

 sinking into it, enabling the animal to travel at great speed, 

 and thus escape its enemies. Antelopes, living as most of 

 them do in countries which are infested with the larger 

 Carnivora, besides being much hunted by the natives for their 

 flesh, skin, &c., would be in great danger of extermination 

 were it not for their fleetness of foot, which is greatly aided 

 bv their liorhtness and eleg^ance of build. 



Almost all animals which are gregarious, i.e., travel or feed 

 in herds or flocks, appoint some of the oldest and most 

 experienced among them to act as sentinels and give warning 

 of the approach of an enemy. The Baboons of Africa are an 

 example, and, if attacked by a Leopard or other foe, the old 

 males will not hesitate to give battle to the enemy, so as to 

 keep him at bay whilst the females and young escape. W^ild 

 Horses, when attacked by w^olves, usually form themselves 

 into a circle, with their heels outwards, and woe be to the 

 imprudent wolf who ventures within reach of their hoofs. 



A curious instance of protection for the young is afforded 

 by the Marsupials, or Pouched Animals, of which the 

 Kangaroo is a familiar example. The females of these 

 remarkable creatures, as all visitors to the Zoological Gardens 

 know, have a pouch in front of their bodies in which the 

 vounor are reared, and to which, after thev are old enoug^h to 

 run and feed themselves, they retreat when alarmed. It is a 

 most interesting sight to see the prettv little animals protrude 

 their bright eyes and pointed ears from their mother's pouch, 

 and cautiously emerge, hastily scrambling back again at the 

 least alarm. 



Nearly all birds which live much on the ground, such as 

 larks, partridges, quails, etc., are dull in colour, the various 

 browns and drabs which are the usual hues of their plumage 

 being the most indistinguishable among grass and under- 

 growth, and these birds usually sit very quiet on the approach 



