THE OX. 93 



probably the only remains of the true and genuine breed 

 of that species, at present to be found in this kingdom. 

 The following description is given of them by his lord- 

 ship. " They have, in the first place, pre-eminently, all 

 the characteristics of wild animals, with some peculi- 

 arities that are sometimes very curious and amusing. 

 They hide their young, feed in the night, basking or 

 sleeping during the day ; they are fierce when pressed, 

 but, generally speaking, very timorous, moving off on 

 the appearance of any one, even at a great distance. 

 Yet, this varies very much in different seasons of the 

 year, according to the manner in which they are ap- 

 proached. In summer, I have been for several weeks at 

 a time without getting a sight of them ; they on the 

 slightest appearance of any one, retiring into a wood, 

 which serves them as a sanctuary. On the other hand, 

 in winter, when coming down for food into the inner 

 park, and being in contact with the people, they will let 

 you almost come among them, particularly if on horse- 

 back. But then they have also a thousand peculiarities. 

 They will be feeding sometimes quietly, when if any 

 one appear suddenly near them, particularly coming 

 down the wind, they will be struck with a sudden panic, 

 and gallop off, running one after another, and never 

 stopping till they get into their sanctuary. 



