CATTLE AND MUSIC.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 44, 31 October 1891, Page 547

CATTLE AND MUSIC.

An English writer on the ‘ Effects of Musical Sounds on Animals’ has published some curious observations on this subject. A few of these relating to oxen and cows will be of interest. Opposite to our house was a large field, in which some twelve or thirteen cows were put during the summer months. One day a German band began to play on the road which divided the house from the field. The cows were quietly grazing at the other end of the field, but no sooner did they hear the music than they at once advanced toward it, and stood with their heads over the wall attentively listening. This might have passed unnoticed, but upon the musicians going away the animals followed them as well as they could on the other side of the wall, and when they could get no further stood lowing piteously, So excited did the cows become that some of them ran round and round the field to try and get out; but, finding no outlet, returned to the same corner where they had lost sight of the band, and it was some time before they seemed satisfied that the sweet sounds were really gone. I have often noticed the power music has over oxen. The other day we had a brass band playing in our garden. In a field adjoining were four Scotch oxen. When the band struck up they were at the far end of a nine-acre field, quite out of sight, the field being very uneven. They set off full trot to the garden wall, put their necks over, and remained so till the tune was finished, when they went back to graze; but as soon as the music struck up again they came and put their heads once more over the wall. This went on till the band left, after which they ate little all day, and were continually lowing. There aie many anecdotes that show that the ox or cow has a musical ear. The carts in Corunna, in Spain, make so loud and disagreeable a creaking sound with their wheels, for the want of oil that the Governor once issued an order to have the wheels greased, but the carters petitioned that this might not be done, as the oxen liked the sound, and would not draw so well without their accustomed music.