CH. XXXV. MOUNTAIN SHEEP. 



251 



most active life. If he perform his duty zealously, 

 he has little time for idleness, for on a mountain 

 sheep farm every season of the year demands con- 

 stant attention and activity. Sheep have sometimes 

 an obstinate preference for those parts of their 

 pasturing ground which the shepherd particularly 

 wishes to reserve for another part of the year. The 

 fresh green grass which ought to be their food for 

 the winter is equally attractive in the earher part 

 of the year; and they require to be constantly 

 driven away from the tempting spots. Mountain 

 sheep, when they have once found out a favourite 

 piece of feeding ground, be it grass or even the 

 shepherd's own bit of oats, are most determined 

 marauders. Although they are always ready, con- 

 scious of their guilt, to fly at the first distant appear- 

 ance of the shepherd or his dog, they are equally 

 eager to return the moment that the coast is clear. 

 A skilful shepherd will always endeavour to make 

 such arrangements as shall secure good feeding for 

 his flock at all seasons. On the green banks of 

 many mountain streams these animals can find food 

 when the higher grounds are white with snow. 

 There are long green stretches of this kind on the 

 upper part of the Findhorn, enlivening with their 

 brightness the dreary brown mountains of the 

 Monaghleahd, through which the river flows. A 



