SOCIALITY OF BRUTES. 183 



LETTER LXVI. 

 TO THE HON. DAINES BARRINGTON. 



SELBORNE, August 15, 1775. 



DEAR SIR, There is a wonderful spirit of sociality in the 

 brute creation, independent of sexual attachment : the con- 

 gregating 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 endea- 

 vouring 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 

 recommended by society. It would be needless to instance 

 in sheep, which constantly flock together. * 



* There were two Hanoverian horses, which had assisted in drawing the 

 same gun during the whole Peninsular War, in the German brigade of 

 artillery. One of them met his death in an engagement ; after which the 

 survivor was picqueted as usual, and his food was brought to him. He 

 refused to eat, and kept constantly turning his head round to look for his 

 companion, and sometimes calling him by a neigh. Every care was taken, 

 and all means that could be thought of were adopted, to make him eat, 

 but without effect. Other horses surrounded him on all sides, but he 

 paid no attention to them ; his whole demeanour indicated the deepest 

 sorrow, and he died from hunger, not having tasted a bit from the time 

 his companion fell. 



Lord Kaimes relates a circumstance of a canary which fell dead in 

 singing to his mate, while in the act of incubation. The female quitted 

 her nest, and finding him dead, rejected all food, and died by his side. 



Mr Charles Hall, of Englishbatch, had a beagle bitch which suckled a 

 kitten, to whom she shewed the most devoted attachment. 



" M. Antoine," says Professor Rennie, " relates the following anecdote 

 of a lapwing which a clergyman kept in his garden : It lived chiefly on 

 insects, but, as the winter drew on, these failed, and necessity compelled 

 the noor bird to approach the house, from which it had previously 

 remained at a wary distance; and a servant, hearing its feeble cry, as 

 if it were asking charity, opened for it the door of the back kitchen. It 

 did not venture far at first, but it became daily more familiar and 

 imboldened as the cold increased, till at length it actually entered the 

 kitchen, though already occupied by a dog and a cat. By degrees it at 



