THE SLEEPING HOMES OF ANIMALS 201 



Some are occupied by a single ram, others are used by 

 small herds of five or six, or an old sheep with her 

 lamb. The ovine scent so strong near domestic sheep- 

 folds always clings to these rock chambers of the wild 

 sheep. The ' big horn ' of the Rocky Mountains is 

 also found in holes in the hills, but these are believed to 

 be made by the sheep eating salt-impregnated clay, until 

 they burrow into the hill. They may be ' bolted ' from 

 these holes like rabbits. Even park deer sometimes 

 occupy bedrooms. In one old deer park in Suffolk 

 some of the giant trees show hollow, half-decayed roots 

 above ground, like miniature caves. Into these the 

 young deer used to creep in hot weather, when the flies 

 were troublesome, and lie hidden and cool. 



Fish, which not only need sleep like other creatures, 

 but yawn when drowsy, and exhibit quite recognisable 

 signs of somnolence, sometimes seek a quiet chamber to 

 slumber in. This is obvious to any who will watch the 

 behaviour of certain rock-haunting species at any good 

 aquarium. The ' lump-suckers,' conger-eels, and rock- 

 fish will retire into a cave in the grotto provided 

 for them, and there go fast asleep ; though as their 

 eyes are open their * exposition of sleep ' is only proved 

 by the absence of movement, and neglect of any food 

 which comes in their reach. Their comparative safety 

 from attack when asleep in open water may be due to 

 the sensitiveness of their bodies to any movement in the 



