68 THE NATURE OF SHEEP 



something unusual has happened. The first thought of the trained 

 shepherd when he sees a sheep alone and some distance from its 

 mates is likely to be that it is ill or has been injured. 



The instinct to flock in large numbers is of great value where 

 herding is practiced, as in the western part of the United States. 

 In extensive., unfenced, and undeveloped lands any herder would 

 lose large numbers from his band ftirough straying and through the 

 attacks of predatory animals if his sheep were not disposed to con- 

 tinue in a rather compact body. 



Closely associated with the gregarious instinct of sheep is its 

 instinct to follow a leader. There is an old saying, " Where one 

 sheep goes, all others will follow," which really is not an exaggera- 

 tion. If the leader passes on, the others will take a chance on a 

 long leap, a narrow path, or even a plunge into the water in order 

 to follow (Fig. 36). 



Timidity and Defenselessness. In the presence of foes sheep 

 are sadly lacking in ability to defend themselves and they become 

 so frightened that they run wildly hither and thither. Although 

 they fear all animals disposed to prey upon them, their worst 

 enemies are the wolf and kindred animals, such as the coyote, the 

 dog, and the jackal. The jackal furnishes trouble for the sheepmen 

 of South Africa; the dingo, a wild dog, makes depredations on flocks 

 in Australia, and the wolf and particularly the coyote, seriously 

 handicap sheep raising on the western ranges of the United States. 

 In farming communities the dog is the worst hindrance to the keep- 

 ing of flocks. While any of these animals may kill outright, their 

 attacks are almost as deadly if they only chase and bite because the 

 sheep are badly frightened and run so hard that a physical break- 

 down is likely to fo^ow. In case they are bitten, death may result 

 from infection of the wound. Other predatory animals in the 1 

 western part of the United States are the bob-cat and mountain 

 lion. In New Zealand and Australia the kea (a parrot-like bird) 

 often attacks sheep on the back in the region of the kidneys. 



Being easily stampeded by fear, sheep really encourage dogs 

 to chase them, for if a dog full of vigor and eager for exercise, but 

 with no intention of mischief, enters a field where sheep are feeding 

 or resting, the entire flock may dash away at top speed at the sight 

 of him. Their action stirs the dog to the depths of his desire for 

 the chase, and he is after them in what he considers a rollicking 

 good game, but it means disaster to the owner of the sheep. 



