COTSWOLD SHEEP. 301 



indicates impurity. Some years ago, a flock of grey-faced sheep 

 were bred near Bibury, by a Mr. Smith ; a sale of rams took 

 place annually, and every animal was more or less coloured. 

 For purposes of crossing, with the Hampshire ewes, for example, 

 grey-faced rams were esteemed, the produce coming darker in 

 the face in consequence. Such sheep would be serviceable years 

 since in forming the Oxfordshire breed. The head is rather 

 large, wide across the forehead, the eyes full and prominent. It 

 is considered a point of importance that the head should be well 

 woolled, particularly the forehead and cranium, and that long 

 locks hang down over the face ; if the eyes and upper part of 

 the nose are covered, so much the better. Of course we are now 

 describing a shearling ram ; but in all, whether male or female, 

 bare heads are an abomination. The effect of the love-lock is 

 striking, adding immensely to the style. Occasionally the 

 profile is slightly Roman ; but this is rather objectionable, as it 

 gives a common character. The neck should be long and 

 moderately thick, especially at the base, and where it joins the 

 head. The setting-on of the latter is easy ; and it is a great 

 point when the head is carried high, as this adds grandeur to 

 the general appearance. A ram should so carry his head as to 

 be able to look over a hurdle. The carcass is long, level along 

 the back, and the ribs well sprung ; the under lines are not so 

 true, and the flank is often weak. Indeed, the great defect in 

 the contour of the Cotswold is the lightness under, and the 

 short space between, hips and flanks. No animal fills the eye, 

 however good upwards, except he represents the L's — long, low, 

 and lusty. The Cotswolds are too often long, high, and lusty, 

 and this height gives them a weak appearance. The thighs are 

 moderately full, the legs of mutton being more developed than 

 in the Leicester, and, though there is much external fat along the 

 back, which gives a soft springy touch, lean meat is also abundant. 

 The wool should be long, open, and curly; the staple is coarser, 

 and the weight of fleece is usually rather less than Leicester, 

 and considerably under the Lincoln ; neither is the quality equal 

 to either. We have heard of instances of hoggets exceeding 

 141b. ; but a good average for flocks comprising half ewes is 

 three fleeces to the tod of 281b. Something, of course, depends 

 upon management. 



