CHAP, ix.] MATERNAL SOLICITUDE. 81 



with her foot, exactly as a sheep would have done in a similar 

 situation. I, however, remembering the distance I had to carry 

 it, and fearing- that it might get hurt on the way, laid it down 

 again, and went on my way, to the great delight of its mother, 

 who almost immediately trotted up, and examined her progeny 

 carefully all over, appearing, like most other wild animals, to be 

 confident that her young and helpless offspring would be a safe- 

 guard to herself against the attacks of her otherwise worst enemy. 

 I have seen roe throw themselves in the way of danger, in order 

 to take my attention from their young. No animal is more 

 inclined to do battle for her young ones than the otter ; and I 

 have known an instance of an old female otter following a man 

 who was carrying off her young for a considerable distance, 

 almost disputing the way with him ; leaving the water, and 

 blowing at him in their peculiar manner ; till at last, having 

 no stick or other means of defence, he actually got so frightened 

 at her threats that he laid down the two young ones and went his 

 way. He returned presently with a stick he had found, but 

 both old and young had disappeared. Even a partridge will do 

 battle for her young. A hen partridge one day surprised me by 

 rushing out of some cover (through which I was passing by a 

 narrow path) and flying at a large dog who accompanied me ; 

 she actually spurred and pecked him, driving him several yards 

 along the road ; and this done, she ran at my heels like a barn- 

 door hen. As I passed, I saw her newly-hatched brood along 

 tho edge of the path. I have known a pheasant do exactly the 

 same tiling. Wild ducks, snipes, woodcocks, and many other 

 shy birds, will also throw themselves boldly within the reach of 

 destruction in defence of their young. 



