174 WILD WHITE CATTLE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



and is now replete with every modern comfort, the 

 tout ensemble is undoubtedly mediaeval, and so are the 

 majority — externally, at least— of the details. A fine 

 decorated window high up in one of the towers, called 

 "King John's window," was pointed out to us. 



The park — originally of 1,500 acres — is now, ex- 

 clusive of enclosed woods, about 1,100, some 400 acres 

 near the castle having been taken off a few years since. 

 This latter helps to supply the considerable quantity of 

 hay required. It is proposed, however, to add to the 

 higher and further portion of the park, and so to make 

 up the deficiency. A short walk through the grounds 

 brought us to its enclosure. Just before this we crossed 

 " The Dell," a pretty spot, through which flows the 

 Chillingham Burn, which, originating in several springs 

 within the park, and receiving afterwards some small 

 mountain tributaries, passes the Castle and is finally 

 absorbed in the Till, below Chatton. The park abounds 

 with every species of game. A herd of seventy head of 

 red deer and one of about 400 head of fallow deer are 

 kept up ; hares and rabbits are plentiful ; the purlieus 

 of the castle swarmed with pheasants, which constantly 

 crossed the path ; in the centre of the park is a 

 heronry ; and when we got higher up the black-cock 

 rose before us. 



The head keeper, Michie — a Scotsman, full of the 

 cleverness and shrewdness natural to that country, 

 conducted us. He has been here for many years, and 

 had the honour of being recommended for the post by 

 Sir Edwin Landseer himself. As the best mode of 

 approach, we took, by the advice of the keeper, Michie, 

 the light hay-cart which had served the Prince of 

 Wales so well, and to which the cattle are accustomed, 



