The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1891-06-25
MUSICLOVING BRUTES.
Some Species Which Manifest De-
light In Melody.
Dogs Sometimes Join in q Song, ana Even
Cows Csvort in Gladstone Ungnin-
Illness When They Hear
Sweet Strains.

Illness When They Hear
Sweet Strains.
The question, Are animals musical? is
o perplexing one and may not easily be
set at rest, says the New York Evening
Sun. Everybody has heard dog howl
at a musical performance. but does that
indicate dislike for music or O desire
for some other kindp There are many
recorded instances of dogs who have
shown distinct musical ability.
The satisfaction expressed by cats ut
piano playing must have been generally
noticed It will be found that they
show every sign Of feline enjoyment,
purring, blinking their eyes and agitat-
ing their claws. Usually, too, they win
venture on the piano keys themselves
when they are alone, to find out what
kind Of harmony they can extract from
the marvellous instrument.
The writer has put down here few
instances which tend to answer in the
affirmative the question under discus
sion.
A keeper In q menagerie told him that
the animals undoubtedly appreciated
the work Of band which played near
by, and that It did them good.
The worst difficulty that the animal
keeper encounters Is the apathy Of his
wards and their aversion to exercise.
This keeper said that when the band
struck mp an inspirating air, like "Rule
Britannia" " the animals walked up and
down their cages In quite lively way.
Thus they were induced to take as much
exercise as possible under the condi.
tions. The birds chartered or sang, and
q Ell 81. s'' SNAKES showed unusual signs
r When the band was away, operating
on the ears Of the townspeople, the ami
mails became apathetic again and
moped. The keeper attributed tie good
health and longevity which prevailed in
this feline community to the steady
efforts Of the municipal band.
The dog, 1t is said, shows a marked
preference for the harmonium over
every other instrument. Once there
lived terrier Of mixed but entirely
Scottish breed who used to listen to the
playing Of the harmonium with evident
pleasure until very high note was
reached. He would then arise, stretch
out his tail, stiffen himself and howl
the same note for some time. He in
tended in this way to indicate his dis
pleasure and to discourage the further
playing Of the note.
Dogs, 1t may then be inferred, are
fond Of serious music and of solemn
instruments. They protest habitually
against the playing Of lively tunes
They have, indeed, been taught to dance
to the violin and the flute, but their
natures have been outraged In the
grinding Of barrel organ bulldog
has found fairly congenial employment.
A man had collie, in all respects but
one an a6ecttonate and respectful ami
NAL, who Yves reused to fury by his
masters singing, which was not good.
He would howl so terribly that his mas
ter seldom finished song. The dog
Lived to good old age, and was greatly
respected In the neighborhood.
A young prima donna, very well
known In this country and in Europe,
has terrier which accompanies her
when she practices her songs. He keeps
time and barlxs to some extent In tune.
Although the assistance he affords is by
no means valuable, his mistress Is so
much pleased by his cleverness that she
does not discourage him.
A young lady was In the habit of
singing in contralto voice religious
song called Calvary" to setter. It
was IN E minor. The dog used to howl
In time at regular intervals and In the
right key.
There Is much doubt as to how cats
take music. Some hold that they are
not born musicians, but can be edu-
Gated An acquaintance had very
much petted cat who was Indifferent to
harmony as kitten but grew to like it
In mature years. She would sit By the
piano and listen for q long time, and
when the player went away would step
on the keys herself. She showed q
strong preference for the treble notes
and some terror at the sound of the bass
ones.
Cows are said to be intensely fond Of
music. Seven or eight persons who
were fond of hearing their own melodi-
ous voices went on boating excur-
sion. They sang as they rowed, and
they allege that small Alderney COW
accompanied them along the river,
dancing and behaving as if she were in
toxicated with delight.
She even advanced through the water
to meet them, leaving her infant on the
bank. When at last she was compelled
TO part from them she beloved long
and sorrowfully.
Mice and rats are said to be as much
affected by music as was the COW. On
this point the best evidence is the le-
gend the Pied Piper of Hamelin.
Fishing In Ceylon.
Negombo lake, Ceylon, is about four