Sir,

I have read your Book “Expressions of the Emotions.” with much Interest. But there are two statements regarding the movements of the Dog—to which I attribute another explanation. The point is with regard to his walking backwards and scratching with his hind feet after voiding— I dont think this motion has anything to do with covering up his dung.² I think it has more to do with straightening the muscles of the body—that have been contracted by the straining—it is quite different from the deliberate covering up by a cat.

I had a terrier that suffered from prolapsus ani— for weeks the keeper had to watch him—and after voiding to return the gut— eventually the dog got better—but occasionally the gut would slightly protrude— I have seen the dog when this happened—sometimes a hundred yards from where he had voided—go through exactly the same motions as a dog does after voiding—and he managed to work the gut back— for this reason and the seeming uncertainty and want of direction with which it is done—I attributed it more to the same feeling that sets a deer stretching when he first leaves his couch—than to the wish to cover up the dung. The other instance is, where a dog turns round before lying down— I dont attribute this action—to the remains of the wild animal, smoothing a couch in the grass—³ a dog as often sleeps extended as coiled up— but it is only when going to coil himself, that he goes round before lying down—and I think he does this to lengthen and shorten the proper ligaments in his back—when coiled they must be long on one side—short on the other, just as you when settling yourself in an armchair—adapt your back to fit comfortably— You mention S^t. John’s Book.⁴ I knew him well, and have hunted, shot, and lain watching the ferae naturæ⁵ along with him. You must be inundated with letters, but I would like to know, if my opinion regarding the action of the dog in these two instances—might not be the correct one—?

I am yours faithfully | J. Brander Dunbar | Pitgaveny | Elgin

P.S | You are wrong about the hare never crying but in suffering— They cry to their young— I can’t say as to rabbits⁶—but hares do cry—and you may hear her—if ever you find a young one in a bush—remove it some yards off—about sundown get into a tree—and keep still— you must be in a tree—presently the old hare will come—and when she cant find her young one—where she left it—she will cry— it is quite a different cry from what she gives when caught— it is more like the cry of a cat—

J.B.D.