THE STABLE FLY. et 
counties in northern Texas where the fly was most abundant and does 
not include the more or less serious injury sustained in practically all 
parts of the United States. 
ACTION OF ANIMALS ATTACKED. 
All animals are usually greatly annoyed by the attack of this fly. 
Less nervous individuals sometimes permit the flies to feed without 
particular effort to drive them away, while others of more nervous 
temperament are driven almost frantic by the attack. In general, 
mules seem to be worried rather more than horses, and most cattle 
are less irritated than either mules or horses. Sheep and goats are 
much annoyed by the presence of the insect, but because they are 
largely protected by the wool they are able to keep the flies off their 
legs by frequently moving them. A great difference in the degree of 
annoyance produced among dogs has been noticed. Some individuals 
are greatly irritated by the presence of a single fly and frequently 
change their positions, going from one place to another to seek pro- 
tection. Horses and mules that are being driven sometimes pay 
little attention to flies, while in other cases they may lie down and 
roll or even run away in their frantic efforts to escape. During times 
of unusual fly abundance animals, when free in pastures, frequently 
bunch up on knolls where they are exposed to the wind and appar- 
ently secure some protection by contact and concerted fighting. 
When streams or pools of water are accessible both horses and cattle, 
particularly the latter, take to them for protection. Cows often lie 
down in the water so as to be almost completely covered, and the 
coating of mud obtained in such situations offers some protection from 
fly attack. Stock often temporarily rid themselves of most of their 
annoyers by running through trees and brush. If permitted to reach 
stables or barns, the animals usually crowd within and remain inside 
throughout the day. During the severe outbreak in 1912 it was 
almost impossible to get some animals to leave the stables and go 
into pastures, even after nightfall, on account of their fear of the flies. 
Although the bunching of the horses in the stable affords some pro- 
tection, yet this by no means exempts them from fly injury, as the 
pest is often as bad within such places as without. Sheep and hogs 
exhibit similar habits in endeavoring to secure protection; they often 
lie in close groups in shady places and keep their heads and legs pro- 
tected by placing them against or beneath one another. When mud- 
holes are accessible, hogs largely escape the flies by lying in the water 
and becoming covered with mud. 
It is possible to determine, even at considerable distances, by 
watching the actions of the animals, whether the stable fly or horn 
fly is bothering cattle. When the stable fly is present the continual 
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