A SHEEP-DOG'S PREFERENCE.
A sheep-dog of my acquaintance is becoming noted in the neighbourhood for a very charming preference, directed by a fine intelligence or gift of perception. He is good at his proper work of rounding up sheep ; but what he most enjoys is rounding up very young chickens and their mothers. Every evening he puts the families to bed. They occupy a place separate from the rest of the population of the farmyard, and the dog does much more than merely drive the chickens home. He knows the mothers from the rest and every evening at sunset shepherds them very gently, along with their chicks, to their coops, and, what is more, chases off any chickless hen that would accompany them. The dog, of the old English sheep-dog race though with a certain peculiarity in build, has taken to the work of his own volition and obviously loves it, comes punctually to the moment, and needs no instruction whatever !
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