178 FONDNESS OP CATTLE FOE BONES. [PART II. 



rishing condition. He cannot, of course, be ex- 

 pected to be very tame yet, but the few months 

 during which he has been in captivity have done 

 much towards overcoming his natural timidity, he 

 having already become so far reconciled to the 

 noise and bustle of the stable-yard, as to sit qui- 

 etly sunning himself on the top of his "earth," 

 whilst the men are engaged in their usual avoca- 

 tions. 



It has been suggested that he may owe his 

 colour or rather, I believe I should strictly say, 

 absence of colour to the paternity of an Arctic 

 fox, which was some years ago in the possession 

 of a gentleman in the Island, and afterwards made 

 his escape. As, however, this one exhibits none 

 of the peculiarities of form which characterise that 

 species, I am inclined to believe him to be simply 

 an albino. 



The fancy which Cattle have for bones appears 

 to me not unworthy of observation. The shooting- 

 lodge, which, as I have before mentioned, I occu- 

 pied during a couple of seasons in Ross-shire, was 

 only separated by the road from a sea-loch, into 

 which were thrown all the refuse bones from the 

 establishment. Here, every day at low water, 

 might be seen the cows of the neighbouring 



