'Breeding. 163 



goats of Malta and Murcia are more disposed to breed at 

 unnatural seasons than those of the French Alps, the 

 former having been accustomed to this by their owners, 

 who have encouraged such a system from time immemorial 

 and given special attention to their goats with this object. 



Signs of Reason. 



The " period " of the sexes may be recognised by an 

 extraordinary restlessness on the part of the she-goat, a 

 peculiar and continual bleating accompanied by rapid 

 shaking of the tail. Her yield suddenly diminishes, and 

 she loses her appetite, whilst there is also a considerable 

 swelling of the vulva. If a male goat be in the neigh- 

 bourhood, and the female be loose and able to escape, 

 she will in many cases make straight for him though 

 a considerable distance divide them. 



Mating, or fairing. 



When signs of O3strum are observed in the doe the 

 services of the buck should be obtained without loss of 

 time, and on their meeting the pair should be placed 

 together in a stable by themselves. At the first interview 

 it often happens that they commence fighting, though 

 in their idea probably it is merely play ; the tremendous 

 blows, however, they inflict upon each other with their 

 horns would lead anyone unaccustomed to their antics 

 to suppose they were engaged in serious combat, sug- 

 gesting the necessity of their separation at once. This 

 need not be done, however, as after a time they come to 

 a better understanding. It is not often that owners of 

 stud-goats will allow their animals to be sent away from 

 home, requiring, on the contrary, that the she-goat be 

 brought to them. In such cases the she-goat is usually 

 kept on the premises for a day or so, a charge of 3d. 

 per day being made for her keep. It is not necessary 



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