58 



THE COMPLETE GRAZIER, 



BOOK I. 



exposed to the elements than the mainland cattle, it is not easy to say. 

 It is only within comparatively recent years that the colours now so 

 much in favour with breeders became common among the West 

 Highland cattle, and the first animals possessed of such colour seem 

 to have been introduced from Perthshire. 



The "West Highland cattle are, says the Very Kev. Dr. John Gillespie, 

 indifferent as dairy cows, but their milk, though small in quantity, is 

 peculiarly rich in quality. The calves, which are almost universally 

 suckled by their mothers, are kept under cover during their first winter, 

 but afterwards they are left out in all sorts of weather, for which, from 



Fig. 17. Highland Heifer, "Lady Flora. 



The Property of the Right Hon. the Earl of Southesk, K.T. 



their vigorous constitution and hairy covering, they are peculiarly 

 adapted. When one or two years old they are transferred to the low- 

 lands, where they are grazed until they are fit for the fat market. In a 

 well-bred specimen the head is short, with a fine muzzle ; the forehead 

 broad, and overhung with long shaggy hair ; the eye prominent ; the 

 horns are expansive and gracefully curved ; the breast is full and broad, 

 and the chest deep ; the ribs are boldly arched ; the legs short and 

 muscular ; the back is straight, and the body covered with a profusion 

 of shaggy hair. 



THE AYRSHIRE BREED (see figs. 18 and 19) ranks deservedly high in 

 the estimation of dairy farmers. The most approved form of the best 

 milkers is thus described by Mr. Aiton : 



" Head small, but rather long and narrow at the muzzle ; the eye 



