53 



It has stopped, astonished at seeing the funny two legged 

 beings before them; the magnificent old chief bull, having tufts 

 of winter wool hanging on him, is found foremost on the left, 

 and is just taking a walk before the front of the herd; his 

 example is followed by the whole herd, he is their absolute monarch. 

 The calves have been forced farthest back in the troop, pro- 

 tected by the adult animals. — A moment's disturbance 

 and seeming confusion arises ; then the animals place them- 

 selves in a row and approach (Fig. 10), two cows instantly 

 place themselves at each calf, and put the calf between them. 

 The chief bull hiding at this moment one of the calves, is 

 found foremost on the left steadily walking to and fro before 

 the herd , snuffing and snorting ; the other bulls are on the 

 wings. In this position the troop can make several movements, 

 always keeping almost the same order; it can swing half to 

 the right and left, rush straight forth ; on the whole it is the 

 position, in which the troop can make a joint attack: its 

 aggressive position. Again disturbance arises, the troop has 

 approached, and the animals, having grown afraid, draw close 

 together, the calves are pushed into the middle, and the adult 

 animals place themselves round them , their heads turned 

 outward (Fig. 11). The animals farthest to the right have not 

 yet got near the others. The foremost bull has lowered his 

 head, ready to run his horns through the enemy's body. This 

 is the position of defence of the herd, a position they must 

 be thought to take up when wolves try to attack them. — It 

 is funny to see the curiosity of the calves during all this , it 

 is very difficult for them to keep quiet; they will always press 

 forward to see what is the matter, but the old ones push them 

 gently back again. — Thus both parties were standing for some 

 time, staring at each other, suddenly the herd turned round and 

 left the place, always protecting the calves (Fig. 12). When the 

 herd had got at some distance, the animals began to play and 

 cut the most curious capers. 



