56 
ANIMAL CURIOSITIES 
being touched it biteth deep and poysoneth 
deadly. It beareth a cruel minde, desiring to 
hunt anything, neither is there any creature 
that it loveth.” 
Quite a number of errors and exaggerated 
statements have found their way into print 
in regard to the habits of wild animals, not 
the least remarkable being the story of the 
mongoose entering the throat of crocodiles 
in order to kill the reptiles. Then, again, we 
read that the ibex hurls itself from the pre¬ 
cipitous rocks of its habitat into the valleys 
beneath, saving itself from injury by alighting 
upon its horns, the elasticity of which absorbed 
the shock. 
In a like manner the hedgehog is said to 
utilize its spiny armament as a buffer when 
falling from a height. 
The old story of the porcupine shooting out 
its quills at an adversary, thus emulating the 
deeds of an archer, is a fable that is still believed 
by many people ; the misconception probably 
having arisen owing to the fact that a loose 
quill may be jerked out when the animal 
suddenly erects its prickly armour. 
Yet another instance of a perversion of the 
truth is the story concerning the nesting 
habits of the flamingo. As is well known, 
the bird constructs a cone-shaped nest, made 
