From Paul Goddard
Further to Judith Wallace’s observations about sheep responding to her baby’s cry (11 October, p 35), I can add something of my own experience.
The land surrounding our cottage on the Isle of Skye is often used for grazing. Once when I was practising on the soprano saxophone, all of the pregnant ewes moved towards me to listen. At this stage they would not have known the exact sound and pitch of their unborn lambs’ bleats.
As I continued playing, they suddenly dispersed and I wondered whether I had upset them with my new tune.
But on looking up I saw that the Highland cattle had now arrived and were also responding to the music. With the sight of all the shaggy horned beasts moving toward me, discretion became the better part of valour: I abandoned my saxophone recital and sought shelter.
Redland, Bristol, UK
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