The little book of British quadrupeds — John Shaqi
The little book of British quadrupedsMay, W.
History
The little book of British quadrupeds
May, W.
Mammals -- Great Britain -- Juvenile literature
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.
[Illustration:
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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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