. Birds & nature magazine. Birds; Natural history; Natural history. THE ARMADILLO,. LL Armadillos bear the name Fatu in the South American Gnarau Indian language. Although the name is of Spanish origin the In- dian term Fatu has also been adopted in European languages, except in the single case of the six-banded species. They are all of more or less similar appearance and habits. They are natives of the southern American belt, extending as far north as Mexico, and the specimen presented here was taken in Texas, where it is occasion- ally found. The Armadillos are at home in sparsely grown
. Birds & nature magazine. Birds; Natural history; Natural history. THE ARMADILLO,. LL Armadillos bear the name Fatu in the South American Gnarau Indian language. Although the name is of Spanish origin the In- dian term Fatu has also been adopted in European languages, except in the single case of the six-banded species. They are all of more or less similar appearance and habits. They are natives of the southern American belt, extending as far north as Mexico, and the specimen presented here was taken in Texas, where it is occasion- ally found. The Armadillos are at home in sparsely grown and sandy plains, and in fields on the edges of woods, which, however, they never enter. During the breeding season they con- sort together, but at all other times lead solitary lives and show no regard for any living thing except as it may serve for food. Singular as it may appear, Armadil- los do not have a regular abiding place, and they frequently change their homes. They can dig a hole in the ground five or six feet deep with such expedition that they are able to have several places of retreat. The hole is circular, at the entrance from eight to twenty-four inches wide, and at the bottom is a snug chamber large enough for them to turn around in. They are great night rovers and seldom move about by daylight, the glaring sunlight dazing them. When seen during the day it is always in rainy weather when the sky is overcast. It has been shown that Armadillos exca- vate their burrows under the hills of Ants or Termites, where they are able to gather their principal food with the greatest convenience by day as well as by night. Besides the foregoing they eat Caterpillars, Lizards, and Earth- worms and are thus advantageous to the husbandman. Plants also consti- tute a part of their diet. Armadillos are not agile but are remarkably muscular. It is said, to avoid their enemies they can cut their way into the earth in places which a hoe wielded by a strong man can pierce with diffic
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Keywords: ., boo, bookcentury1800, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectnaturalhistory
