270 Wild Life in a Southern County 



ploughboys think mucli of it, and it seems just possible 

 that cultivation might improve it. 



Bare birds do not afford much information as a rule — 

 seen for a short time only, it is difficult to discover much 

 about them. I followed one of the rarer woodpeckers one 

 morning for a long time, but notwithstanding all my care 

 and trouble could not learn much of its ways. 



Even among cows there are some rudiments of govern- 

 ment. Those who tend them say that each cow in a herd 

 has her master (or rather mistress), whom she is obliged 

 to yield precedence to, as in passing through a gateway. 

 If she shows any symptoms of rebellion the other attacks 

 her with her horns until she flies. A strange cow turned 

 in among a herd is at once attacked and beaten till she 

 gets her proper place — finds her level — when she is left 

 in peace. The two cows, however, when they have ascer- 

 tained which is strongest, become good friends, and fre- 

 quently lick each other with their rough tongues, which 

 seems to give them much satisfaction. 



Dogs running carelessly along beside the road fre- 

 quently go sideways : one shoulder somewhat in front of 

 the other, which gives the animal the appearance of being 

 ever on the point of altering his course. The longer axis 

 of the body is not parallel to the course he is following. 

 Is this adopted for ease ? Because, the moment the dog 

 hears his master whistle, and rushes forward hastily, the 

 Bidelong attitude disappears. 



