A Singular Foster-Mother.
On an estate in Scotland a terrier had a litter of whelps, which were
immediately taken from her and drowned. The unfortunate mother was quite
disconsolate, until, a few weeks after, she perceived a brood of
ducklings, which she immediately seized and carried to her lair, where she
retained them, following them out and in with the greatest care, and
nursing them after her own fashion, with the most affectionate anxiety.
When the ducklings, following their natural instinct, went into the water,
their foster-mother exhibited the utmost alarm; and as soon as they
returned to land, she snatched them up in her mouth, and ran home with
them. What adds to the singularity of this circumstance is, that the same
animal, when deprived of a litter of puppies the year preceding, seized
two cock-chickens, which she reared with the like care she bestows upon
her present family. When the young cocks began to try their voices, their
foster-mother was as much annoyed as she now seems to be by the swimming
of the ducklings--and never failed to repress their attempts at crowing.
[Illustration]