AYRSHIRE HEAD. 17 



use for which she is reserved ; there is the look of 

 domestication, but in general, of a domestication that 

 has not been carried to the highest pitch. It has not, 

 as in the Prince Albert Suffolk swine, quite subjected 

 her to its behests. Of course, the degree to which 

 this is carried varies in different families. The coun- 

 tenance should be serene, mild, and expressive, the 

 latter to be born of motherly instincts. The perfect 

 animal is being brought to this, but the majority of 

 the Ayrshires have an earnest liveliness of expres- 

 sion which is all their own, and which the portrait 

 artist must recognize. 



In form, the head may be long, and of no great 

 comparative breadth, or it may be short, with consid- 

 erable breadth. 



The short head has come from such breeding as 

 Theophilus Parton, of Swinley farm, pursued, and it 

 is known as Swinley stock. This stock differs from 

 the older stock in having a shorter head, with more 

 breadth across the eyes, more upright and spreading 

 horn, more hair, and that of a more mossy character, 

 and generally better constitution. 2 



The points for the head, given by the Ayrshire Ag- 

 ricultural Association in 1853 3 as indicating superior 

 quality, are as follows : "Head short, forehead wide ; 

 nose fine between the muzzle and the eyes ; muzzle 

 moderately large ; eyes full and lively ; horns widely 

 set on, inclining upwards, and curving slightly in- 

 wards." 



2 Sandford Howard's article in W. S. Dept. Ag. Kept. 1863, p. 195. 

 s Prize Essays High, and Ag. Soc. 1865-7, p. 106. 



2* 



