66 THE SHEEP. 



roughly with the races with which they are mingled in the 

 same pastures ; they collect in separate flocks upon the 

 higher grounds, and crowd together when alarmed ; in like 

 manner, if any of the breeds of Forest Sheep are mingled 

 with those of the lower country, they congregate together, 

 and pursue their own range of pasturage. Now, from what- 

 ever causes the wild Sheep of Wales assumed their existing 

 character, they have acquired the habits proper to their 

 situation. They keep by choice to their natural habitat, and 

 herd together ; and hence it is that the original characters 

 of the race have not merged in those of other varieties. 



This race of Sheep, though with some change of character, 

 is found all over the most elevated parts of Wales, from the 

 inland mountains of Glamorganshire to those of Merioneth 

 and Caernarvon. They are numerous in Caernarvon, and 

 when seen by the traveller have more the aspect of Dogs and 

 Foxes than of Sheep. 



As this race becomes naturalized in a lower range of 

 mountains, or in any way is placed under more favourable 

 circumstances with respect to the supplies of food, it becomes 

 enlarged in size, and loses part of its natural rudeness. Ac- 

 cordingly, gradations are observed in the character of the 

 race, from the more elevated and barren mountains, to those 

 which are of a lower altitude, or more productive of herbage. 

 The Sheep of Radnor and some other parts are of the same 

 descent, but are so changed by the more favourable circum- 

 stances under which they are reared, that they are looked 

 upon as distinct breeds. They have manifestly, however, a 

 common origin with the wilder Sheep of the higher moun- 

 tains ; and there are everywhere examples to shew the pro- 

 gressive steps by which the wilder race may assume a new 

 set of characters, in consequence of better food and atten- 

 tion to the parents in breeding. All the varieties of the 

 Welsh Sheep which have an affinity with the race of the 

 higher mountains have horns, and have more or less of black 

 hair on the face and legs. 



