Part 3

Sheep supply us both with food and clothing: and the wool alone affords, in some countries, an amazing source of industry and wealth. They are harmless animals, and, in general, very shy and timid. The Sheep in the high mountains of Wales are very wild, and do not collect into large flocks, but graze in parties of from eight to a dozen. One is always placed at a distance from the rest, to give notice of the approach of danger. When he observes a stranger advancing, he allows him to approach as near, perhaps, as eighty or a hundred yards, but keeps a watchful eye upon his motions; if the stranger shows a design of coming closer, he alarms the rest of the flock by a loud hiss or whistle, twice or thrice repeated, when the whole party instantly scour away with great speed, to the most inaccessible parts of the mountains. No country produces finer Sheep than Great Britain. Of these the Sheep that are bred in Lincolnshire and the northern parts, are the largest and bear the most wool. In other parts of England they are generally smaller; and in the mountainous parts of Wales and Scotland they are very small.

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THE GOAT.

THE GOAT. ]

Although very shy and timid in a wild state, goats are easily trained as domestic animals, being very sensible of kind treatment. The disposition of this creature is, however, extremely unsettled, as is shewn by the irregularity of all his actions. He walks, stops short, runs, leaps, approaches or retires, shews and conceals himself, or flies off, as if induced by mere whim, and without any other cause than what arises from the strange vivacity of his temper. Goats love to feed on the tops of hills, and prefer the very elevated and rugged parts of mountains, finding sufficient food in the most heathy and barren grounds. They are so active as to leap with ease and the utmost security, among the most dreadful precipices; and even when two of them are yoked together, they will, as it were by mutual consent, take the most hazardous leaps together, and exert their efforts in such a united manner as generally to get through the danger unhurt. In mountainous countries they are of great service to mankind; the flesh of the old ones being salted as winter provision, and the milk being used in many places for making cheese. These animals require but little care and attention, and easily provide for themselves proper and sufficient food.

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THE STAG.

This is the most beautiful animal of the Deer kind. The elegance of his form, the lightness of his motions, the flexibility of his limbs, his bold branching horns, which are yearly renewed, his grandeur, strength and swiftness, give him a decided rank over every other inhabitant of the forest. The age of the Stag is known by its horns: he begins to shed them about the end of February or the beginning of March: each year they become larger.

THE STAG. ]

The usual colour of the Stag, in England, is red; in other countries it is commonly brown or yellow. His eye is extremely beautiful, soft and sparkling: his hearing is quick; and his sense of smell very strong. When listening, he raises his head, erects his ears, and seems attentive to every noise, which he can hear at a great distance. When he approaches a thicket, he stops to look round him on all sides; if he perceives nothing to alarm him, he moves slowly forward; but on the least appearance of danger, he flies off with the rapidity of the wind. He appears to listen with great delight to the sound of the shepherd’s pipe, which is sometimes made use of to ensnare him to his destruction.

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THE FALLOW DEER.

These animals live together in herds, which sometimes divide into two parties, and maintain obstinate battles for the possession of a favourite part of the park: each one having its leader, which is always the oldest and strongest of the flock. They attack in regular order of battle; they fight with courage, and mutually defend each other.

THE FALLOW DEER. ]

The chief difference between the Stag and the Fallow deer, seems to be in the size and form of their horns; the latter are much smaller than those of the former. The Fallow deer is easily tamed, feeds on a variety of things which the stag refuses, and preserves its condition nearly the same throughout the year, although its flesh, called venison, is considered much finer at particular seasons. We have in England two varieties of the Fallow deer, which are said to be of foreign origin: the beautiful spotted kind were brought from Bengal in India. These animals, with some variation, are found in almost every country of Europe. Those of Spain are as large as stags, but darker; their necks are also more slender; and their tails, which are longer than those of ours, are black above, and white beneath.

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THE ROEBUCK.

The form of the Roebuck is elegant, and its motions light and easy. It bounds seemingly without much effort, and runs with great swiftness. When hunted, it tries to evade its pursuers by the most curious methods: it often returns upon its former steps, till, by various windings, it entirely misleads the hounds. This cunning animal then, by a sudden spring, bounds to one side; and, lying close down upon its belly, lets the hounds pass by, without offering to stir.

THE ROEBUCK. ]

The Roe was at one time common in many parts of England and Wales; but at present it is to be found only in the Highlands of Scotland. It is the smallest of all the Deer kind, being only three feet four inches long, and rather more than two feet in height: the horns are from eight to nine inches long, upright, round, and divided into three branches; the body is covered with long hair. When the female has young, and they are in danger, she hides them in a thicket; and, to preserve them, offers herself to be chased. Numbers of fawns are taken alive from their dams by the peasants, and many are worried by dogs, foxes, and other enemies; so that the beautiful Roe is becoming daily more scarce.

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THE COMMON BOAR.

The Boar is naturally stupid, inactive, and drowsy. It is very restless at a change of the weather: and during high winds it runs about with great violence, screaming loudly at the same time. It is thought to foresee the approach of bad weather. Before a storm comes on it may be seen carrying straw to its sty, for the purpose of making itself a bed.

THE BOAR. ]

The form of the Boar is very clumsy. Its neck is strong, its snout is long and hard, and made for turning up the earth for roots of various kinds, of which it is very fond. It has likewise a quick sense of smelling. The flesh of the Hog is of great use, and makes an elegant, as well as almost a constant article for the table. It takes salt better than any other kind of meat, and can be kept longer. It is of great importance in ships’ stores, as it forms the principal food during long voyages.

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THE SOW.

THE SOW. ]