218 SOCIALITY OF BRUTES. 



XXIV. 



THERE is a wonderful spirit of sociality in the 

 brute creation, independent of sexual attachment: 

 the congregating of gregarious birds in the winter 

 is a remarkable instance. 



Many horses, though quiet with company, will 

 not stay one minute in a field by themselves : 

 the strongest fences cannot restrain them. My 

 neighbour's horse will not only not stay by himself 

 abroad, but he will not bear to be left alone in a 

 strange stable without discovering the utmost 

 impatience, and endeavouring to break the rack 

 and manger with his fore feet. He has been 

 known to leap out at a stable -window, through 

 which dung was thrown, after company ; and 

 yet in other respects is remarkably quiet. Oxen 

 and cows will not fatten by themselves ; but 

 will neglect the finest pasture that is not re- 

 commended by society. It would be needless 

 to instance in sheep, which constantly flock to- 

 gether. 



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 lo wings 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 fellow- 



