OF WILD ANIMALS 227 



or flock. In the observance of this fundamental law, born of 

 ethics and expediency, mankind is far behind the wild animals. 

 It would serve a good purpose if the criminologists and the 

 alienists would figure out the approximate proportion of the 

 human species now living that bullies and maltreats and 

 oppresses the weak and the defenseless. At this moment 

 "society" in the United States is in a state of thoroughly im- 

 becilic defenselessness against the new type of predatory 

 savages known as "bandits." 



The Third Law. During the annual period of motherhood, 

 loth prospective and actual, mothers must be held safe from all 

 forms of molestation; and their young shall in no manner be inter- 

 fered with. 



For the perpetuation of a family, a clan or a species, the pro- 

 tection of the mothers, and their weak and helpless offspring is 

 a necessity recognized by even the dullest vertebrate animals. 

 As birth-time or nesting-time approaches the wild flocks and 

 herds universally permit the potential mothers to seek seclusion, 

 and to work out their respective problems according to their 

 own judgment and the means at their command. The coming 

 mother looks for a spot that will afford (i) a secure hiding- 

 place, (2) the best available shelter from inclement weather, 

 (3) accessible food and water, and (4) cover or other protection 

 for her young. 



During this period the males often herd together, and they 

 serve a protective function by attracting to themselves the 

 attacks of their enemies. For the mothers, the bearing time 

 is a truce time. There are fox-hunters who roundly assert that 

 in spring fox hounds have been known to refuse to attack and 

 kill foxes about to become mothers. 



The Fourth Law. In union there is strength; in separa- 

 tion there is weakness; and the solitary animal is in the greatest 

 danger. 



It was the wild species of mammals and birds who learned 

 and most diligently observed this law who became individually 



