blows, and their companions, who can see nothing suspicious in
the neighbourhood, are not disturbed, supposing them, no doubt, to be
peacefully resting.

It is not only against other animals that these great mammals have to
defend themselves; they are much afraid of heat, and they are
accustomed, especially in the south of Persia, to ruminate while lying
in the water during the hot hours of the day. They only allow the end
of the snout, or at most the head, to appear. It is a curious
spectacle when fording a river to see emerge from the reeds the great
heads and calm eyes of the Buffaloes, who follow with astonishment all
the movements of the horsemen, although nothing will disturb their
sweet and fresh siesta.

But let us return to defences arranged in common. Horses are extremely
sociable, and in the immense pampas of South America those who become
wild again live in large troops. In difficult circumstances they help
one another. If a great danger threatens them all the colts and mares
assemble together, and the stallions form a circle round the group,
ready to drive back the assailant. But they do not accomplish this
manoeuvre in the presence of an enemy of small importance. When a wolf
appears on the plain all the males run after him, seeking to strike
him with their feet and kill him, unless prompt flight delivers him
from their blows.

The sociable humour of these horses makes them compassionate towards
their fellows who are enslaved by man, and if a harnessed cart meets
on its road a free band, it is a serious matter to the owner. They run
up and surround the enslaved horse, saluting him with their cries and
gambols, having the air of inviting him to throw his harness to the
winds and follow them on the plain, where grass grows for all without
work. Naturally the driver endeavours to preserve his noble conquest,
and distributes blows with the whip to those who wish to debauch it.
Then the wild horses become furious, and throw themselves on the
vehicle; they break it with their feet and cut their comrade's traces
with their teeth to enable him to share their own free life. The
enterprise satisfactorily concluded, they gallop away neighing in
triumph.

It is owing to their union in large bands that Crows have so little to
fear from diurnal birds of prey; if one approaches, they do not
hesitate to throw themselves on him altogether. The Great Horn Owl,
however, causes many ravages among them; for when asleep a