NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 187 
je 1 ND 
TO THE SAME, 
SELBORNE, Aug. 15th, 1775; 
DEAR SIR,—There is a wonderful spirit of sociality in the brute 
creation, independent of sexual attachment: the congregating of 
gregarious birds in the winter is a remarkable instance. 
Many horses, though quiet with company, will not stay one 
minute in a field by themselves: the strongest fences cannot 
restrain them. My neighbour’s horse will not only not stay by 
himself abroad, but he will not bear to be left alone in a strange 
stable without discovering the utmost impatience, and endeavouring 
to break the rack and manger with his fore feet. He has been 
known to leap out at a stable-window, through which dung was 
thrown, after company; and yet in other respects is remarkably 
quiet. Oxen and cows will not fatten by themselves; but will 
neglect the finest pasture that is not recommended by society. 
It would be needless to instance in sheep, which constantly flock 
together. 
But this propensity seems not to be confined to animals of the 
same species ; for we know a doe, still alive, that was brought up 
from a little fawn with a dairy of cows; with them it goes a-field, 
and with them it returns to the yard. The dogs of the house take 
no notice of this deer, being used to her ; but, if strange dogs come 
by, a chase ensues; while the master smiles to see his favourite 
securely leading her pursuers over hedge, or gate, or stile, till she 
returns to the cows, who, with fierce lowings and menacing horns, 
drive the assailants quite out of the pasture. 
Even great disparity of kind and size does not always prevent 
social advances and mutual fellowship. For a very intelligent and 
observant person has assured me that, in the former part of his 
life, keeping but one horse, he happened also on a time to have but 
one solitary hen. These two incongruous animals spent much of 
* This letter is quoted from the original by Barrington, in his “* Miscellanies,’” Essay 
‘On the prevailing Notions with regard to the Cuckoo,’”’ p. 251, and we presume as 
received from its author. 
