ONLY THE SPARROW IS IMMUNE.

Taihape Daily Times, 12 October 1918, Page 6

ONLY THE SPARROW IS IMMUNE.

ANIMALS AND GAS ATTACKS. Investigations of the effects of t.h* poisonous gases used in gas attacks, says "Our Dumb Animals," shows that:— "Horses suffer much from the noxious fumes and are subsequently thrown into a state of nervous terror on again scenting them. Mules are more inclined to stand their ground and appear as if trying not to breathe. Gas helmets of a kind have been successfully these animals. In the trenches are many animals kep* by the soldiers as p~ets. Of these, cats quickly scent the gas and run about howling. Guinea pigs are the first to succumb. Rats and mice emerge from their holes and are found dead in quantities, which, as the soldiers say, is the only advantage of a gas attack by the enemy. Poultry of all kinds are useful for giving warning, ducks and fowls becoming agitated ten minutes or so before the oncoming gas clouds. Many kinds of wild birds are greatly excited, ana the usualy unruffled owl becomes as it were, half demented. Only tne sparrow seems to disregard the poisonous vapour, and sparrows chirp on where horses are asphyxiated, and bees, butterflies, caterpillars, ants and beetles die off in great numbers. Tne gas at once kills snakes, and earthworms are found dead in their holes many inches below the ground."