OF SELBORNE. 183 



LETTER XXIV. 



TO THE SAME. 



Selborne, Aug. 15, 1775. 

 DEAR SIR, 



THERE is a wonderful spirit of sociality in the brute creation, 

 independent of sexual attachment : the congregating of gre- 

 garious birds in the winter is a remarkable instance. 



Many horses, though quiet with company, will not stay ono 

 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-win- 

 dow, 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 pre- 

 vent social advances and mutual fellowship. For a very in- 

 telligent and observant person has assured me that, in the 

 former part of his life, keeping but one horse, he happened 



