THE COMMON OX. 539 



of the honourable distinction. While a cow wears it, she is 

 gay, good humoured, and frolicksome, but should she so far 

 forget herself as to be guilty of straying, commit any vicious 

 trick, or other misconduct, she is not beaten but her bell is 

 taken away from her j and her now sulky and gloomy air seems 

 to be expressive of deep regret and a consciousness of disgrace. 

 The celebrated Swiss song, the Randz des Vaches, is merely the 

 peasant's vesper summons to his cows. In some parts of 

 Switzerland, more particularly in the retired parts of the forest- 

 cantons, the herds are collected by the sound of an alp-horn 5 

 and it is said that as soon as its deep, mellow, and prolonged 

 note reaches the ears of the cattle, they are seen hastening 

 to the dairy, often at a hard gallop. 



It would seem that in England, the cattle were formerly 

 called home by similar means j for Tusser, in his agricultural 

 poem, entitled Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry (1562), 

 speaks of " the neatherd with his cur and home." The poet 

 Bloomfield, speaking of cows coming at the call or " well-known 

 halloo" of the cow-boy, says 



" The strong press on, the weak by turns succeed ; 

 And one superior always takes the lead, 

 Is ever foremost, whereso'er they stray; 

 Allow'd precedence, undisputed sway : 

 With jealous pride her station is maintain'*:!, 

 For many a broil that post of honour gain'd." 



It is generally, if not always, the case that a particular cow, 

 probably the strongest, leads the herd to and from pasture, and 

 she is so tenacious of her right, that should any cow attempt to 

 pass beyond its proper place, she will attack the offender with 

 her horns and hoofs. Many anecdotes have been recorded 

 illustrative of her " pride of place," and her exaction of proper 

 etiquette from the herd. 



The several species of grasses constitute the herd's chief staff 

 of life ; but many other plants serve to give a pleasing variety 

 to their vegetable diet. They are fond of many of the larger 

 flowering plants, and they browse occasionally upon the tender 



