1903 The White Cattle of Chart ley 123 



for its increase in numbers, which are said to have once 

 reached 60. Since 1S98 misfortune appears to have again 

 fallen upon these interesting animals, for in April 1902 l we 

 find them reduced to only 14 — and many of these were then 

 in a sickly condition — through a tubercular disease. These 

 14 head were made up of 1 five-year, 1 three-year, and 1 two- 

 year-old bull ; 1 bull-calf, 7 cows, and 3 calves. These sur- 

 vivors have now been separated, and one young bull and 

 three young heifers have been removed to a distance from 

 the rest, which are left to roam their native park. By this 

 means and the careful attention they receive from their 

 keepers, and the veterinary adviser, it is to be hoped that 

 these fine animals, which are of national interest, may yet 

 be saved. It is feared that by in-breeding the stock has 

 become weakly and depreciated, and unless fresh blood is 

 introduced (say, from the old Welsh breed, which bears a 

 strong resemblance to the Chartley herd both in colour, 

 size, and length and shape of horn), or from some other 

 kindred stock, Staffordshire is in danger of losing altogether 

 one of the most interesting zoological ornaments of the 

 country. 



There are other denizens which share the home of the 

 Chartley Cattle. Any one traversing the park will see herds 

 of Red and Fallow Deer living in perfect harmony with the 

 lordly cattle, multitudes of wild Rabbits, and possibly a few 

 Stoats still survive the traps of the keepers. Voles also 

 (both the common and Red bank Voles), Field-mice, Shrews, 

 and their natural enemies the Weasel and the Adder, are 

 frequently to be seen, as well as an occasional Fox or Badger. 

 Of birds, the Curlew haunts at times the marshy parts of the 

 park, and the Wheatear the little hillocks ; the Whinchat, 

 Skylark, Lapwing, Woodpecker, and Meadow Pipit fly up 

 before the intruder in this wild sanctuary ; but where are 

 those noble birds the Buzzard, the Kite, the Kestrel, the 

 Merlin, and the valuable Owls ? Alas ! the cruel pole-trap 

 in an open spot near the wood, with open iron jaws awaiting 

 their victim, accounts for their absence. Not till the keepers 

 ignorance as to the true value of these birds has been dis- 



1 The 'Field' for 3rd May 1902, p. 678. 



