The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-05-27
LANGUAGE CT THE LOWER
ANIMALS,

| IWO very remarkable instances OF Ian
| guage and combination are given by
Col. W. Campbell in his Indian Journal.
| The writer is perhaps better known by
his nom de plume, "The old Forest
Ranger" He was at Rance Bernore on
a hunting expedition.
Il witnessed this morning a curious
instance of wolfish generalship that in
| tefested me much, and which, In nv
humble opinion, goes far to prove that
| animals are endowed to a certain extent
with reasoning faculties, and have means
| of communicating their ideas to each
other.
81 was as usual scanning the horizon
with my telescope at daybreak to see if
any game was in sight. 1 had discover
| ed sr11eji herd Of antelope feeding in %
| fer rom which the crop had lately
been removed, and was about to take
the glass from my eye for the purpose
| OF accommodating the ground, when, in
remote quarter of the field, concealed
| from the antelopes by few intervening
bushes, L family discerned, in the gray
twilight, a pack of six wolves, seated on
their hind-quarrers like dogs, and ap-
parently in deep consultation.
'sIt appeared evident that, like myself
they wanted yenison, and had some de-
sign upon the antelopes; and, being
anxious to witness the mode Of proceed
ing adopted by these four-legged pouch
ers. determined to watch their motions.
L accordingly dismounted, leaving my
hose in charge Of the sowar, and, creep
ing as near the scene of action as I
could, without being discovered, con-
cealed myself behind bush.
Having apparently decided on their
plan OF attack, the wolves separated, one
remaining stationary, and the other five
creeping cautiously round the edge of
the field, like settlers drawing in shy
covey of birds. In this manner they
surrounded the unsuspecting herd, one
feid, and the t11tn UrUo1,iu5 silently
toward the centre of it, where he con-
caaled himself in deep furrow.
1.-The sixth wolf, which had not yet
moved, now started from his hiding
place and made dash at the antelopes.
The graceful creatures, confident in
their matchless speed, tossed their
heads as if in disdain, and started off
III q series of flying bounds, that soon
left their pursuer far behind. But no
sooner did they approach the edge of
the field than one Of the crouching
wolves started up, turned them, and
chased them III contrary direction,
while his painting acoomplice lay down
In his place to secure wind for fresh
burst. Again the bounding herd dash
Ell across the plain, hoping to escape on
the opposite side; but here they were
once more headed by one of the crafty
savages, which took up the chase in his
turn, and coursed them till relieved by
fresh hand from an opposite quarter.
In 5his manner the persecuted animals
were driven from side to side and from
cotner to corner, q fresh assailant head
inc them at every turn, till they ap-
arr, crowding together like frightened
sfeep, began to " heel ro11nd in diminish
ing circles.
''All this time the wolf which lay con-
cealed in the furrow near the centre of
the field had never moved, and although
the antelopes had passed and repassed
within few feet of him, and had, per-
haps, even jumped over him, his time
for action had not yet arrived. 1t now
became evident that the unfortunate
antelopes must soon be tired out, when
it appeared probable that the surround
ing wolves would have made combined
attack, and driven the terrified herd
toward the centre of the field, where the
wolf which had hitherto been lying in
reserve, would have sprung up in the
midst of them, and secured at least one
victim"
At this period of the proceedings the
spectator shot the nearest wolf, where
upon the other five decamped and allow
ed the antelopes to escape.
Here we have reason and power of
combination for mutual action that would
have done credit to human beings.
The anecdote shows also that there is
much more detail in the language of
animals than is generally supposed
Each had its different post assigned, so
that the wolves must have possessed
some means of indicating that locality
and each undertook to play its own part
in scheme of no small intricacy, So
that their language must have been cap
able of expressing abstract ideas.