THE BLACK-FACED OR SCOTCH MOUNTAIN SHEEP. 381 



means perfect in breeding, which abound in the uplands of 

 Aberdeen, Kincardine, Perth, Banff, and Inverness. During 

 heavy snowstorms it is wonderful how many of the black -faced 

 flocks survive. Neither in respect of quantity nor quality of 

 provender are they difficult to satisfy, particularly in winter. 

 If they have some shelter they will scrape among deep snow for 

 heath, fogage, or whins, and tide over the storm with a very 

 scanty supply. The proportion of the breeding sheep indulged 

 with turnips in the course of winter is comparatively small. 

 About thirty years ago, when more of the mountain sheep were 

 wintered on the summer grazings in the uplands than was after- 

 wards deemed advisable, it was not uncommon — and heavy snow- 

 storms were more prevalent then than now — to have large 

 numbers buried under immense accumulations of snow. It is 

 surprising the length of time the sheep have been known to 

 survive under such circumstances. We have seen several 

 animals of the black-faced breed not very far removed from the 

 ancient " dun-faces," taken out from below a huge wreath of 

 snow alive, after being buried there five weeks. Some of the 

 animals died immediately after exposure, while others, though 

 weak for some time, lived several years. All they had to subsist 

 on during those five weeks was what they could get at lying ; 

 they were of course unable to rise under such a pressure. 

 Heather roots, grass, and even the soil were eaten to a mournful 

 extent so far as the creature's head could reach ; in fact, nothing 

 grew for many years on those bitten specks. In the midst of a 

 heavy snowstorm great difficulty is often encountered in 

 removing the sheep from one place to another. Unless one of 

 their number lead the way it is invariably hopeless to attempt 

 driving a few abreast. If a taste is got of turnips or fine grass 

 in the neighbourhood of the pastures, close attention is required 

 to prevent future inroads on these crops sometimes by night and 

 often by day. On all hill farms to which uninclosed grazings 

 are attached, the sheep stock are by stringent clauses in the 

 agreement passed on by valuation to the incomer. The import- 

 ance of the animals being "hefted," i.e., accustomed to their 

 grazing grounds, cannot be overrated — and in some districts 

 part of the flock belongs to the landlord, and is rented with the 

 farms. 



