52 BULLETIN 94, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTUEE. 



After the establishment of the breed in Perth and Dumbarton, 

 they colonized the neighboring counties and eventually spread over 

 the Highlands of Scotland and much of the mountainous region of 

 England. About a century ago, the Black-face was forced to retreat 

 before the Cheviot, but it later reestablished itself, because of its 

 greater hardiness. These two breeds practically comprise the sheep 

 sections of the Scotch shows. Dayid Dun, of Kirkton, greatly im- 

 proved the breed, and he has been referred to as the Scotch Bakewell. 



Cross-bred or grade Black-faced Highland sheep meet with much 

 favor in Scotland. Crossing a Leicester ram upon the ewes pro- 

 duces what is known as a "cross" or "mule"; a Cheviot ram upon 

 Black-faced ewes produces a "half -long." 



Hugh Brodie, in June, 1861, made an importation of one ram and 

 two ewes to New York Mills, N. Y. In 1867 Isaac Stickney made an 

 importation into Illinois. They have not been especially popular, 

 and consequently their distribution is quite limited. The New York 

 State Fair is the only show in this country where these sheep are 

 exhibited. 



The breed would probably succeed in some of the mountainous parts 

 of this country and also in Alaska, as they thrive excellently upon 

 coarse pasture, but upon the more fertile, arable districts they are 

 out of place and will not yield returns comparable to those of the 

 breeds adapted to the latter conditions. They are a veiy picturesque 

 breed and are suitable for keeping in parks, and have been used for 

 this purpose to a certain extent. 



The Black-faced Highland is the hardiest of all British breeds of 

 sheep. They are small and very active, but not so restless as the 

 Welsh Mountain sheep. Their faces and legs are generally free from 

 wool and covered with black or black and white hair. They usually 

 have a small amount of wool about the top of their heads. When 

 'mottled, the markings are always very distinct. The form is rather 

 inferior because of their habits of life, but the mutton is of the highest 

 quality. Rams and ewes in breeding condition should average about 

 150 pounds and 125 pounds, respectively. 



The fleece is of very low quality, lacking fineness, luster, and uni- 

 formity. It usually contains considerable hair and kemp and is 

 classed as carpet wool when sold upon our markets. The staple is 

 usually quite long, occasionally attaining a length of 15 inches. 

 Both sexes are horned, and it is sometimes necessary to cut off part 

 of the horns to prevent their growing into the head and to allow 

 them to eat, otherwise they could not get their heads upon the ground. 



The ewes are good mothers and fair milkers, and the lambs are very 

 strong at birth. These sheep show a marked fondness for their 

 homes. It is claimed that they have traveled 60 miles and swam 

 rivers to return to their native haunts. 



