248 OUR HOME PETS 



where he regales himself on beetles and 

 worms. 



The young deer or fawn is a most winning 

 pet, though he is exceedingly timid, and must 

 be very gently treated. The disadvantage of 

 this, as of other agreeable young animals, is 

 that petting is inconvenient when they are 

 grown. 



The same objection exists to petting kids 

 and lambs, both of whom are attractive, es- 

 pecially the kid, who is one of the most amus- 

 ing and droll creatures in the world. A grown 

 sheep or goat would be a somewhat incon- 

 venient follower, and it is wiser not to culti- 

 vate their too intimate friendship. 



Several foreign animals that we sometimes 

 find in our stores are desirable pets. From 

 Europe we get the hedgehog, a most comical- 

 little fellow, who rolls himself into a ball of 

 prickles when he is offended or frightened. 



From Australia come two delectable little 

 beasts, the Australian opossum, who differs 

 materially from ours, and the wombat, a 

 funny little fellow, something like a baby 

 bear. 



The most absurd animal to pet, yet one 



