John Horke, age 10, of Winston‑Salem, N.C., for his question:

What is a Tasmanian devil?

He looks somewhat like a small bear. His coat is jet black, his face wears a fierce expression, his temper is irritable and hi; disposition ferocious. He howls at night with a blood‑curdling growl followed by a gruff cough. Add to these facts that he tends to raid the chicken runs and you have a good idea why the settlers named him the Tasmanian devil.

There is, of course, another side to his nature. At one time, these bear‑like marsupials roamed. most of Australia and her neighboring islands, Mankind has driven him from these, his ancient hunting grounds. He is putting up the last fight for the survival of his children on the island of Tasmania, just off the southeastern tip of Australia.

When you get a close look at him, you see that the little scrapper is not entirely black. He may have a white blotch or two on nose, sides, tail or rump. He may have a white star over his fierce little heart. Neither is his character all black.

The Tasmanian devil is one of the rare marsupial meat eaters. He is fond of crustaceans and sea food, and he tends to roam the shores M d river banks. He also devours rats, mice and frogs. As the land is farmed and settled, this kind of. food becomes scarce. This is why the little black fella raids the chicken runs and sheep herds.

He is only four feet long, including a foot of furry tail. His legs are short and powerful but most of his strength is in his oversized head, neck and jaw muscles. He can e&sily conquer an animal larger than himself.

The babis are born in May and for a month they live in mama's pouch. Then she builds them a nest among the rocks. Mrs. Devil is a good mother and the little devils are as playful as kittens.

Not all the people of Tasmania are against the devil family. Some have  captured the young and taken them in as pets. The little devils are; very frolicsome and, strange to say, grow up to be even more loving than house cats.

Early attempts were made to capture grown devils and put them in zoos. But the adults were far from friendly fellows. They wanted no part of the human race. These captives refused all kindness and spent their time snarling by day and howling by night.

When these early captives finally perished it was found that their coats were full of vermin of all kinds. They were constantly being bitten by fleas, flies, lice and other posts. Perhaps this fact accounts for some of the fierce little Tasmanian devil’s irritable temper.