ANIMAL IDIOSYNCRASIES

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 12, 5 April 1927, Page 11

ANIMAL IDIOSYNCRASIES

ACTIONS TO BE EXPECTED To avoid running down an animal suddenly encountered on the road every motorist at times has to take a chance on what that particular variety i of creature will do in any emergency, j A correspondent of the "Autocar” ] thus summarises his experience of the j instinctive actions that may be expected from different kinds of animals. Cows.—A cow’s ” vulnerable point is the tail end; in cases of emergency aim for the hindquarters: it is curious how quickly such an unwieldly animal can swing its quarters out of danger. Horses, on the contrary, are quite different and “pivot” on their hind legs, for they are shy of their heads being touched. The natural explanation is. I suppose, that a horse’s weapon is his heels, and a cow’s its horns. Dogs.—A dog spends his normal life escaping having his tail trodden on or run over; aim to run a front wheel over his tail and he will “clear out” with speed and dexterity. Cats.—A cat will generally return whence it came, so be prepared for a sudden volte-face and retreat. The feline species has a habit of sallying out on fine evenings to take the air, survey the neighbourhood, and see what prey, in the shape of rabbits or other small deer, are about. Being by nature wild, it will bolt back to its lair on the approach of danger. Chickens.—The feathered kind of nuisance will tend to return to its home, and many a sudden demise can be saved by spotting the farmyard or poultry hut whence it came, and “banking” on its making a dash in that direction. Pigs.—Very little can be said for the porcine nature, except that if you make up your mind it is going to do one thing the probabilities are it will do something else. The only really safe course is to stop dead until the obstacle is dragged, pushed, pulled, or in some way deposited in the nearest ditch.

An ordinary stamped metal cake pan which has a number of small round compartments will be found very handy for keeping screws, nuts, etc., in accessible and proper order. Two or three of them may be fitted in runners nailed on to the inner sides of an empty wooden case, to form a compact but roomy “spare parts” cupboard.