OXEN. 



169 



some nearly similar shade of colour, and is of small size, and somewhat defective 

 form. There is also a polled Irish breed, which includes animals of large size, but 

 frequently more or less crossed with other races. 



Aiderneys and The three nearly-allied strains from the Channel Islands, respect- 



Jerseys. ively termed Alderney, Jersey, and Guernsey, are now so well known 

 in England, and are so easily distinguished from all others, that they require 

 but scant notice. They are characterised by the bulls being considerably larger 

 than the cows, by their small size, their short, thin, and often crumpled in-turning 

 horns, and their delicate and (from the butcher's point of view) somewhat " ragged " 

 build. The head is delicately formed, with very prominent eyes, and a narrow 



THE FRIBUEG BULL (^ liat. size). 



muzzle, but may be either very short or somewhat elongated ; the bones of the 

 pelvis are very prominent ; and the limbs are slender and deer-like. The colour of 

 the short and glossy hair is generally some shade of rufous or fawn, mingled with 

 white ; but it may be black, mixed with white or dun, and is more rarely cream ; 

 the skin being thin and orange-coloured. Although of delicate constitution, the 

 Channel Island breeds are esteemed for their elegant appearance, and the richness 

 and yellow colour of their cream and butter. 



The Ayrshire breed, whose proper home is the county of Ayr, 

 although it is now widely spread over Scotland and some parts of 

 Ireland, is another race bred exclusively for the purposes of the dairy. They are 

 of medium size, with short horns curving inwards in the Alderney manner ; and 

 the fore-quarters are light, the loins broad and deep, the neck and head small, and 



Ayrshire. 



