SHOIITIIOKN HERDS OF ENGLAND. 279 



CHAPTER XL 



The Huntingdonshire Herds. Connington Castle. Holt/well 

 Manor. Brought/on. Kimbolton Castle. Buckden Wood. Bedford- 

 shire Herds. Kenswortk. Southill. Colworth. Biddenham. 

 Clapham Park. Hertfordshire Herds. Astivick Manor. West- 

 minster Lod(je. Woolmers Park. Russell Farm. Shendish. Essex 

 Herds. Forest House. Havering Park. 



From Alwalton to Connington Castle, the residence of Mr. J. M. 

 Heathcote, is eight miles across country, but with a fast trotting 

 mare in the hands of an experienced horseman like our guide, 

 Connington is quickly reached, after passing the historic " Kate's 

 Cabin," associated with Dick Tarpin's memorable ride to York. 

 Mr. Thompson is ready for starting to the station to meet us, so we 

 are quickly driving to one_of the more distant farms, where the dark 

 red Stanley 48782, a lengthy shoit legged five j^ar old, bred at 

 AVest Dereham Abbey, is seen, as well as an Aylesby Flower calf, 

 the latter is being reared amongst the ordinary cross bred ones, 

 and apparently is doing as well as her foster sisters. The adjoining 

 Hill is a prominent feature in the landscape, and in ancient days 

 has been crowned by a fortification of some importance, its summit 

 being now surrounded on three sides by a wide and deep moat, which 

 has never been known to fail of a full supply of fine clear water, 

 and it is an old saying that 



"Yaxley Stone Mill, 



Connington Round Hill, 



And AVhittlesey Mere 



Are the Three Wonders of Huntingdonshire." 

 Grazing almost at the foot of the hill are the best of the heifers, the 

 Warlaby Royal Craftsman and King Harold being represented by 

 four daughters, Mr. Thompson having bought the most, fashionably 

 bred of the latter bull's produce, at Mr. A. E. W. Darby's sale. 



