30 NOVEMBER 1895, Page 16

ANIMAL STORIES.

[TO TRH EDITOR OF TER " SPECTATOR:7

SIE,—Having read in your paper many curious stories illus- trating the instincts of dogs and eats, it seems to me that the following, relating to sheep and ducks, may prove in- teresting. Many years ago I had a conversation with Mr. Hassan, who was the first settler in King George's Sound, on the difficulties he encountered in establishing a flock of sheep there. He started operations, assisted only by convicts who acted as shepherds. He told me that many of his imported sheep died from eating poisonous herbs or shrubs, but this was not the case with native-born animals, and that he did not know of a single death from poison of any sheep bred in the country.—I am, Sir, Sze., Enfield, Middlesex, November 7th. W. H. CHALLIS.