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ANIMAL LEGENDS by Maurice Burton

ANIMAL LEGENDS

By

Pub Date: Sept. 25th, 1957
Publisher: Coward McCann

Dr. Burton's interest here is in scoffed at beliefs that have been -- or may be -- proved correct and which are supported by acutual observation from all over the world, in spite, sometimes, of what scientists maintain. The hibernation of birds, ""bird-anting"" in which the bird uses the ants throughout its plumage, how kangaroos are born, the self-anointing of hedgehogs, the many uses of tails, cooperation among rats, foxes ridding themselves of fleas, animal funerals and hurials, these investigations feature many details and sometimes controlled experimentation. When he goes on to eels, the probability of the Loch Ness Monster, sea serpents and the Giant Snowman he asks for an open mind; his findings on dolphins and jumping snakes and the phoenix instinct in birds are again buttressed by facts. It's a testing ground for skeptics and filled with zoological idiosyncrasies to delight the curiosity of any amateur naturalist.