32 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



Reindeer j and the prints of the feet of these two animals are so much alike, that it requires the 

 eye of an experienced hunter to distinguish them. The largest killed by us did not exceed in 

 weight three hundred pounds." 



THE OX.* 



It being quite unnecessary to describe the general form and proportions of this animal, as seen 

 among us in a domesticated state Shorthorns, Alderney, Highland, &c. we will at once proceed 

 to notice the famous cattle of Chillingham Park, in Northumberland, which are known to have 

 been in existence in the thirteenth century. The wild cattle there are all cream white, with a 

 "brown muzzle, with the insides and tips of the ears reddish-brown, at the same time that the horns 

 -are white tipped with black, of which latter colour are the hoofs. Calves more or less coloured are 



CHIM.1XGHAM CATTLE. 



occasionally born, but these are promptly destroyed by the keepers. Some of the bulls have a thin, 

 short mane. Their habit, on strangers approaching them, is to " set off in a full gallop, and at 

 a distance of about two hundred yards make a wheel round and come boldly up again, tossing their 

 lieads in a menacing manner. On a sudden they make a full stop at the distance of forty or fifty yards, 

 looking wildly at the object of their surprise ; but upon the least motion being made, they all again 

 turn round and fly off with equal speed, but not to the same distance, forming a shorter circle ; and 

 again returning with a bolder and more threatening aspect than before, they approach much nearer, 

 probably within thirty yards, when they again make another stand, and then fly off. This they do 

 several times, shortening their distance, and advancing nearer and nearer, till they come within such 

 a short distance that most people think it proper to leave them, not choosing to provoke them further." 

 They differ from domestic cattle in that they feed at night, and generally sleep during the day. They 

 also hide their calves. 



In all the so-called wild cattle of Great Britain the forehead is flat or slightly concave, the head 

 is small, the back is straight, and the legs are short. 



* Bos taurus. 



