OF SELBORNE 167 



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 

 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 place between these two sequestered individuals. The 

 fowl would approach the quadruped with notes of com- 

 placency, rubbing herself gently against his legs ; while the 

 horse would look down with satisfaction, and move with 

 the greatest caution and circumspection, lest he should 

 trample on his diminutive companion. Thus, by mutual 

 good offices, each seemed to console 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." 



