CHAP. Ix.| MATERNAL SOLIUITUDE. 81 
with her foot, exactly as a sheep would have done in a similar 
situation. I, however, remembering the distance I had to carry 
it, and fearing that it might get hurt on the way, laid it down 
again, and went on my way, to the great delight of its mother, 
who almost immediately trotted up, and examined her progeny 
carefully all over, appearing, like most other wild animals, to be 
confident that her young and helpless offspring would be a safe- 
guard to herself against the attacks of her otherwise worst enemy. 
I have seen roe throw themselves in the way of danger, in order 
to take my attention from their young. No animal is more 
inclined to do battle for her young ones than the otter; and I 
have known an instance of an old female otter following a man 
who was carrying off her young for a considerable distance, 
almost disputing the way with him; leaving the water, and 
blowing at him in their peculiar manner ; till at last, having 
no stick or other means of defence, he actually got so frightened 
at her threats that he laid down the two young ones and went his 
way. He returned presently with a stick he had found, but 
both old and young had disappeared. Even a partridge wiil do 
battle for her young. A hen partridge one day surprised me by 
rushing out of some cover (through which I was passing by a 
narrow path) and flying at a large dog who accompanied me ; 
she actually spurred and pecked him, driving him several yards 
along the road ; and this done, she ran at my heels like a barn- 
door hen. As I passed, I saw her newly-hatched brood along 
the edge of the path. I have known a pheasant do exactly the 
‘same thing. Wild ducks, snipes, woodcocks, and many other 
shy birds, will also throw themselves boldly within the reach of 
destruction in defence of their young. 
