WILD ANIMALS IN CAPTIVITY 



had any fear of mankind in their infancy, they, on be- 

 coming adult and assuming their natural habit of using 

 their horns during the rutting season, fail then to dis- 

 tinguish the hand that fed them, and, as war is in the 

 nature of the creatures, they attack friends and foes un- 

 mercifully. Hence the danger of keeping homed pets. 



My discovery of this was made after introducing to my 

 children an unfortunate lamb a few days old. This 

 motherless, harmless,, pretty creature at once became a 

 most beloved and darling pet. The most devoted affection 

 was bestowed upon it, and everything was done for its 

 welfare and comfort. It prospered and did well, and the 

 pride of the whole family was to think what kindness and 

 attention had accomplished for this poor, deserted, and 

 neglected creature. But, as time went on, the harmless 

 little lamb got larger and stronger, and began to exhibit 

 signs of independence, gradually but, undoubtedly, feeling 

 able to take his own part — for it was of the male per- 

 suasion, as Mark Twain says — and consequently had no 

 fear and less gratitude, so that he occasionally made a 

 rather unpleasant butt at the only and best friends he 

 ever had, or was likely to have, and with very disagreeable 

 results. His banishment soon followed. He was con- 

 signed to a large field, and he became a terror to passing 

 travellers who incautiously crossed the field. With a hop, 

 skip, and jump he was behind any one in an instant ; with 

 one good spring, the unfortunate traveller was on his 

 hands and knees if not on his face. For this disagreeable 

 and vicious habit the only cure that presented itself was 

 the butcher, who ended the life of the pet lamb. This 

 is my experience with nearly all tame-reared ruminants, 

 whether oxen, stags, sheep, antelopes, or goats. 



Doubtless, individual differences occur, but, as a rule, 

 there can be no question that these tamely-reared rumin- 



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