SHEEP 269 



goats; the bells attached to the wooden collars ring 

 under their thick beards. After them come the she- 

 goats, their heavy udders, swollen with milk, strik- 

 ing against their hams. By their side caper the 

 giddy band of young kids and goats, already be- 

 ginning to butt with their foreheads. Such is the 

 vanguard. 



"Who is this with holly stick cut from an alpine 

 hedge and large drugget cloak draped over his shoul- 

 der? It is the head shepherd, the one responsible 

 for the flock. At his heels come the rams, leaders 

 of the stupid common sheep. Their horns, twisted 

 into a pointed spiral, make three and four turns. 

 They have deal collars like those of the he-goats and 

 asses; but their large bells, sign of honor, have a 

 wolf's tooth for tongue. Tufts of red wool, another 

 sign of distinction, are fastened to their fleece on the 

 sides and back. In the midst of a cloud of dust 

 comes now the main flock, its members crowded close 

 together and bleating, their countless little hoofs 

 striking the ground with a noise like that of a storm. 

 In the rear straggle the loiterers, the lame, the crip- 

 pled, the ewes accompanied by their lambs. These 

 last, at the briefest stop, bend their knees, take the 

 teat in their mouth, and, while their tail trembles 

 and wriggles, butt the udder with their forehead to 

 start the flow of milk. The shepherds bring up the 

 rear, urging on the slow ones with their cries and 

 giving orders to the dogs, their lieutenants that go 

 and come on the flanks of the army and watch that 

 none go astray. If all is in good order, the dogs 



