The Strange Instincts of Cattle. 333 



It is a familiar fact that brightness in itself 

 powerfully attracts most if not all animals. The 

 higher mammalians are affected in the same way as 

 birds and insects, although not in the same degree. 

 This fact partly explains the rage of the bull. A 

 scarlet flag fluttering in the wind or lying on the 

 grass attracts his attention powerfully, as it does 

 that of other animals; but though curious about 

 the nature of the bright object, it does not anger 

 him. His anger is excited and this is the whole 

 secret of the matter when the colour is flaunted by 

 a man ; when it forces him to fix his attention on 

 a man, i.e. an animal of another species that rules 

 or drives him, and that he fears, but with only a 

 slight fear, which may at any moment be overcome 

 by his naturally bold aggressive disposition. Not 

 only does the vivid colour compel him to fix his 

 attention on the being that habitually interferes 

 with his liberty, and is consequently regarded 

 with unfriendly eyes, but it also produces the illusion 

 on his mind that the man is near him, that he is 

 approaching him in an aggressive manner : it is an 

 insult, a challenge, which, being of so explosive 

 a temper, he is not slow to accept. 



On the pampas I was once standing with some 

 gauchos at the gate of a corral into which a herd of 

 half-wild cattle had just been driven. One of the 

 men, to show his courage and agility, got off his 

 horse and boldly placed himself in the centre of 

 the open gate. His action attracted the attention 

 of one of the nearest cows, and lowering her horns 

 she began watching him in a threatening manner. 

 He then suddenly displayed the scarlet lining of his 



