206 SOCIALITY OF BEtJTES. 



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 pur- 

 suers 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 their time together, in a 

 lonely orchard, where they saw no creature but each other. 

 By degrees, an apparent regard began to take between these 

 two sequestered individuals. The fowl would approach the 

 quadruped with notes of complacency, rubbing herself gently 

 against his legs; while the horse would look down with 

 satisfaction, and move with the greatest caution and circum- 

 spection, lest he should trample on his diminutive com- 

 panion. Thus, by mutual good offices, each seemed to con- 

 sole the vacant hours of the other : so that Milton, when he 

 puts the following sentiment in the mouth of Adam, seems 

 to be somewhat mistaken : 



" Much less can bird with beast, or fish with fowl, 

 So well converse, nor with the ox the ape." 



* A gentleman in Scotland had a cock golden pheasant sent him, which he 

 confined in a pen with a solitary chicken which he happened to have. The 

 birds formed a great affection for each other, which they showed in a variety of 

 ways. The pheasant, however, died, and was immediately stuffed, and the 

 chicken turned loose. It appeared to be miserable after the death of its com- 

 panion, and happening to see it after the pheasant had been stuffed, it drooped 

 its wings after vainly attempting to get at it, and soon afterwards died. ED. 



