SCOTCH BLACKFACE HIGHLAND 537 



are liable to be soft in constitution and they travel badly in 

 snow. The nose is strong (broad) and prominent, and the 

 nostrils are wide and black. The horns of the ram are large, 

 coming out level from the crown of the head, and not rising 

 above it or joining together at the base, but taking one or 

 more spiral turns according to age. The corkscrew-like curl 

 of the horn is in a forward direction, and should so incline 

 that room is left between the horns for the face. The points, 

 sometimes extending to half of the horns, have to be cut 

 off old rams to let them reach the ground to feed, to free 

 the jaw from pressure when horns grow too close and cut 

 into the face, or to lighten them before going to work on 

 the hill. Three inches were sawn off the horns of " Old 

 Glenglas " (Plate CL.) to let him eat grass. In the ewe 

 the horns, which also spring horizontally, are small, thin, 

 flattened, and curved, but not spirally twisted. 



The ears are short and small, but hidden by the horns 

 in the ram, and not much looked to in judging. The back 

 is broad all the way along, and the shoulders formed for 

 freedom of action, like those of the trotting horse. The 

 tail is naturally short, not often hanging lower than the 

 hock, and it is not usual to dock it. But fashion is 

 changing, as no tail is necessary on modern sheep, which 

 are so rough below ; moreover it grows inferior and often 

 dark wool. The late James Craig of Craigdarroch had a 

 strain of Blackface sheep with tails so short that they were 

 often rejected for breeding in consequence. Had the short 

 disposition been encouraged, the tail might have been still 

 further reduced, and in time probably got rid of. The 

 mutton is of the finest quality, especially that of three-year- 

 old wethers, or young and tender lambs. A fat wether from 

 the hill at three years off should weigh 1 5 to 16 Ibs. per quarter. 



The Blackface sheep is wild and active, and, when thriving 

 best on pasture, must travel about a great deal, a habit which 

 suits it to its native pastures better than to a low country 

 district where it is liable to be affected with foot-rot. Never- 

 theless, no breed settles better under cover for house-feeding 

 than the Blackface, whether it be represented by ram lambs 

 for breeding or " milled " ewes for feeding. 



The wool is wavy, loose, and shaggy, hanging down 

 nearly to the ground, stronger and more hair-like and kempy 



