214 NAT VEAL HISTORY 



LETTER XXIV. 1 



TO THE HONOURABLE DAINES BARRINGTOX. 



SELBORNB, Aug. 15, 1775. 



HERE is a wonderful spirit of sociality in the 

 brute creation, independent of sexual attach- 

 ment: the congregating of gregarious birds 

 in the winter is a remarkable instance. 



Many horses, though quiet with com- 

 pany, 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 dis- 

 covering the utmost impatience, and endeavouring 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 

 sheep, which constantly flock together. 



But this propensity seems not to be confined to animals 

 of the same species ; for we know a doe, still alive, that 

 was brought up from a little fawn with a dairy of cows ; 

 with them it goes afield, and with them it returns to the 

 yard. The dogs of the house take no notice of this deer, 

 being used to her but, if strange dogs come by, a chase 

 ensues j while the master smiles to see his favourite 

 securely leading her pursuers over hedge, or gate, or stile, 

 till she returns to the cows, who, with fierce lo wings and 



1 Barrington has inserted this Letter in his "Miscellanies," p. 251 ; 

 prefacing it thus : " I shall here, on this head, subjoin part of a letter 

 which I have received from my often-mentioned correspondent, the 

 Rev. Mr. White, of Selborne, in Hampshire." ED. 



