WILD LIFE OF ORCHARD AND FIELD 



amusing, but utterly unthoroughbred little dog 

 was a member of a family which I was visiting. 

 The dog and I became very good friends at once, 

 and remained so until the second day, when I cas- 

 ually began to joke his master upon owning such 

 a miserable cur. At once the little dog pricked up 

 his ears, and, noticing this, I continued my dis- 

 paragements in a quiet, off-hand tone, his master 

 meanwhile defending and condoling with him, 

 until at last the dog could stand it no longer, but, 

 without any provocation beyond my language, 

 which was not addressed to him at all, sprang up 

 and softly bit at my heel, as though to give me 

 warning of what might happen if the joke went 

 any further; and after that he utterly broke off our 

 friendship. 



I mention this incident to call attention to the 

 alertness of our household pets in hearing and 

 comprehending what is being said. Could not a 

 dog on a railway remember the names of the towns 

 through which he passed as they were called out 

 by the attendants and spoken by travellers, and so 

 be able to judge something of his way in return? 

 The Rev. Mr. Wood suggested that the collie which 

 returned from India was enabled to find the right 

 vessel at Calcutta by hearing the well-known lan- 



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