Animals At Play

Small birds chase each other about n play ; but, perhaps the conduct of :he crane and the trutnpeter is the nost extraordinary. The latter stands on one leg, hops about in the most eccentric manner, and throws somersets. The Americans cali it the mad bird, on account of these singularices. Water birds, such as ducks and geese, dive af tei each other, and clear the surface of the water with outstretched neck and flapping wings, throwing ibimdant spray around. Deer often engage in sham battle, or trial of strength, by twistine their horns togpther and pushing for the mastery. All animáis pretending violence in their play stop short of exercising it; the dog takesthgrestDreino outang, in wrestling with his keeper, pretenda to throw Mm, and makes feiiits of biting him. Some animáis carry out in their play the semblance of '■atching their prey ; young cata for . . ., ';;q aitei every small and moVing object, even to the leaves strewed by the Autumn wind ; they croich iintl steal forward, ready for tail ,v,.I..,;,.ing.aiid the bouid on the moving lear, and ag;un spring forward to another. Benger sawyoung jaguars and cougars playing with round substances, like kittens. Biids of the magpie kind are the analogues of monkeys; full of mischief, play and mimicry. There is a story of a tame magpie, that was seen bnsily employee! in a garden, gathering pebbles, and with much solemnity and a studied air, buring theni in a hole made to receive a post. After droppiiig each stone, it cried "car ack" triuniphantly, and set off ior another. On examihing the spot a poor toad was found in the hole, which the inagpie was stoning for his amusement.