. From North pole to equator: studies of wild life and scenes in many lands. Animal behavior; Birds; Tundras; Ethnology; Birds. 228 FKOM NORTH POLE TO EQUATOR. it never fails to tell of its discovery in loud cries. Thus it brings under the notice of all the other creatures who share its home or resting-place the unusual occurrence, enabling them either to find out for themselves if there is really any danger, or to make good their escape on the strength of its warning. Thus it discharges the duties of a sentinel. Its friendly relations with the crocodile can hardly be called mutual, for to cre
. From North pole to equator: studies of wild life and scenes in many lands. Animal behavior; Birds; Tundras; Ethnology; Birds. 228 FKOM NORTH POLE TO EQUATOR. it never fails to tell of its discovery in loud cries. Thus it brings under the notice of all the other creatures who share its home or resting-place the unusual occurrence, enabling them either to find out for themselves if there is really any danger, or to make good their escape on the strength of its warning. Thus it discharges the duties of a sentinel. Its friendly relations with the crocodile can hardly be called mutual, for to credit the crocodile with friend- ship is going rather far. Certainly the reptile treats the bird as a harmless creature, but this is not out of any Fig. 34.—Crocodile and Crocodile-birds (Pluxianus oegyptius). but simply because he has a thorough knowledge and a correct estimate of his partner. And as to the bird, it is at home on the sand-banks where the crocodile is wont to rest, and has been from its youth accustomed to the monster; it busies itself about him and associates itself with him, as if he were the master and itself the servant. Without hesitation it hops on his back as he rests; without apprehension it approaches his gaping jaws to see if there be per- chance a leech sucking his lips, or if there be some morsel of food sticking between his teeth; and without misgiving it darts oflf with either. All this the crocodile quietly allows, for doubtless he has learned by experience that he cannot get at the ever watchful, agile, and clever little rogue. I once saw a crocodile-bird having a meal along with a screaming sea-eagle off a fish, which the latter had. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Brehm, Alfred Edmund, 1829-1884; Thomson, Margaret R. , tr; Thomson, J. Arthur (J
Size: 2084px × 1200px
Photo credit: © Central Historic Books / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectbirds, booksubjecteth
