kicking and scratching, but they likewise bite each other; and I have
known one to bite off half the tail of its antagonist. At the
commencement of their battles they lay back their ears, but afterwards,
as they bound over and kick each other, they keep their ears erect, or
move them much about.
Mr. Bartlett watched a wild boar quarrelling rather savagely with his
sow; and both had their mouths open and their ears drawn backwards. But
this does not appear to be a common action with domestic pigs when
quarrelling. Boars fight together by striking upwards with their tusks;
and Mr. Bartlett doubts whether they then draw back their ears.
Elephants, which in like manner fight with their tusks, do not retract
their ears, but, on the contrary, erect them when rushing at each other
or at an enemy.
The rhinoceroses in the Zoological Gardens fight with their nasal
horns, and have never been seen to attempt biting each other except in
play; and the keepers are convinced that they do not draw back their
ears, like horses and dogs, when feeling savage. The following
statement, therefore, by Sir S. Baker[434] is inexplicable, namely,
that a rhinoceros, which he shot in North Africa, had no ears; they
had been bitten off close to the head by another of the same species
while fighting; and this mutilation is by no means uncommon.
Lastly, with respect to monkeys. Some kinds, which have moveable ears,
and which fight with their teeth for instance the _Cereopithecus
ruber_ draw back their ears when irritated just like dogs; and they
then have a very spiteful appearance. Other kinds, as the _Inuus
ecaudatus_, apparently do not thus act. Again, other kinds and this is
a great anomaly in comparison with most other animals retract their
ears, show their teeth, and jabber, when they are pleased by being
caressed. I observed this in two or three species of Macacus, and in
the _Cynopithecus niger_. This expression, owing to our familiarity
with dogs, would never be recognized as one of joy or pleasure by those
unacquainted with monkeys.
_Erection of the Ears_. This movement requires hardly any notice. All
animals which have the power of freely moving their ears, when they are
startled, or when they closely observe any object, direct their ears to
the point towards which they are looking, in order to hear any sound
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