5 NOVEMBER 1948, Page 17

Too Friendly Sheep

The story of a lamb reared on a charming Cumberland fell farm throws an odd light on ovine mentality. The ewe died, and the lamb was brought

n up by hand. It became so tame, friendly, hat it was a nuisance. It would not leave the good woman who had nurtured it, quite refused to go near other sheep, and lamented if left alone. The difficulty of dealing with it Was. solved by an accident. A scarecrow was erected of so persuasive an appearance that it became a- jest in the neighbour- hood. One of its Chief admirers Was the pet lamb. It took to the figure at once, and now whenever left alone, it lies down contentedly by the side of the scarecrow. Sheep are generally said to trust greatly to their sense of smell. A bereft ewe will not, take to another lamb unless it is first wrapped in the skin of her Own lost,babe, She will even chase away her own lamb if it is deprived of its proper scent, say, by falling into a bog. This bottle-fed ewe, on the other hand,- evidently judges mankind solely by the look of the clothing I