OUR PETS. 49 



tinctive name to one and the same thing. If they can 

 be shown — as we held they could — to be endowed 

 with reasoning powers, why not call them reasoning 

 powers ? Why say it is all instinct ? Every trait, 

 every incident which might be observed, bearing upon 

 our favourite theory, was noted and commented upon. 

 Examples of more than ordinary sagacity, reflection, or 

 foresight, were eagerly rehearsed as affording unmis- 

 takable proofs of reason. 



Shetland is a locality exceptionally favourable to the 

 keeping of pets. There is ample scope. Neighbours 

 impose no restrictions on the ground of nuisance, for 

 they are almost always the reverse of near neighbours. 

 Pets, especially of the feathered tribe — of which there 

 is a vast variety in the islands — are obtainable gener- 

 ally at no cost whatever. Provisions in abundance 

 are for the most part easily procured, and cheap withal, 

 as one has only to call in the aid of rod or fishing-line 

 or fowling-piece to stock the pets' larder on the shortest 

 notice. The winter climate is remarkably mild ; and 

 lastly, there is a plentiful supply of water, salt and 

 fresh. Add to these natural advantages of the locality 

 that in our case, far from any limitation being put to 

 the number and variety of our pets, we were not only 

 permitted to keep as many as we chose, but were 

 always encouraged in every possible way. The small 

 enclosures about our house, the paddocks, and the 

 garden were always at our command. Corners of the 

 outhouses were sometimes allowed to be appropriated, 

 and any quantity of stones and turf was at hand and 



D 



