. Little folks in feathers and fur, and others in neither. early in the morning, and hesaw hundreds of the funny little Sparrow family at their fountain seemed to be one of their regular watering places,and was as busy and bustling as Newport or Long Branch. Thebasin was full of water, and the edge was just packed with the littlebathers, dipping their heads in, fluttering and spattering, and dash-ing the water over themselves and their neighbors, and having asplendid time generally. The gentleman was so much interested in the comical scenethat he stood and watched them for some time;
. Little folks in feathers and fur, and others in neither. early in the morning, and hesaw hundreds of the funny little Sparrow family at their fountain seemed to be one of their regular watering places,and was as busy and bustling as Newport or Long Branch. Thebasin was full of water, and the edge was just packed with the littlebathers, dipping their heads in, fluttering and spattering, and dash-ing the water over themselves and their neighbors, and having asplendid time generally. The gentleman was so much interested in the comical scenethat he stood and watched them for some time; and I daresay youcan see it yourself any time — if youll only go early enough. IN FEATHERS AND FUR. 141 LITTLE WARRIORS, Perhaps you think such tiny creatures as insects are veryhelpless, and you would laugh at the idea that one of them couldshoot guns at you. But you neednt laugh, for it is true. And a funny littlefellow he is, too. He is a Beetle, and is called—from his shootingpropensities — the Bombardier Beetle. And here is a picture of Though he makes a loud explosion, and a blue smoke, exactlylike a tiny gun, he dont send out balls, or even shot, but a bad-smelling fluid, that causes a burning feeling where it hits, and un-doubtedly is very severe to his small enemies. At any rate itdrives them away. 112 LITTLE FOLKS Most of these little creatures have weapons to defend them-selves against their insect enemies, and some have weapons strongenough to protect them from boys and even men. The wasp and hornet are perfectly safe, with their powerfulstings, you know. And one little atom of a bug, has a sting thatwill make a man lose his senses in five minutes, and make him soill as nearly to kill him. Would you like to see an insect that carries a double whip,and lashes it furiously around to keep off flies and other trouble-some creatures ? You have only to catch a puss-moth (no relationto your pussy cat), and youll see the little whipper. It is really wonderful w
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, bookpublishe, booksubjectzoology
