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



twist, and have poor development of the hind quarters. They are 

 lacking in covering, not only over the ribs, but generally throughout 

 the body, the bony framework being quite prominent. 



They are covered with hair, varying in length from one-fourth inch 

 to 2 inches. This is usually longer upon the top of the shoulders and 

 neck, and it is more or less crimped. This coat of hair usually ob- 

 scures the small amount of wool, which is short and very fine, but 

 occasionally the wool projects out through the hair. During the 

 spring and early summer the wool loosens and gradually curls up 

 through the hair and is shed in tufts. 



The head is rather attractive and is light or dark brown, with char- 

 acteristic black bars above and below or alongside the eyes. The 

 inside of the ears is black. The back and sides vary from a light fawn 

 to a sealskin brown, and rarely there are markings of white. The 

 belly and inside of the legs are black. The rest of the body varies in 

 color from a light to a dark brown. Infrequently w r hite spots occur. 



The rams have a beard and also have long hair along the spine and 

 extending from the lower jaw down along the brisket. They are 

 usually hornless, but short horns occur occasionally. The redeeming 

 features of the Barbados are their breeding qualities and their hardi- 

 ness. Ewes breed at any season of the year and are remarkably pro- 

 lific. One ewe produced six lambs at one time, although they all did 

 not five, and twins and triplets are more common than singles. They 

 are especially good milkers and the milk is very rich. The Govern- 

 ment is crossing these sheep upon some of the mutton breeds for the 

 purpose of determining the degree to which the fecundity is inherited 

 in the cross-bred sheep and whether or not this quality can be utilized. 

 These sheep have also been crossed with the Karakule for the pro- 

 duction of lambskins, but the first cross has produced unsatisfactory 

 results from the fur standpoint. 



THE BARBARY SHEEP, OR AOUDAD. 



The Barbary sheep have no commercial value. They are a wild 

 breed; both sexes are horned, and the horns are beautifully banded 

 and are marvels of symmetry. They are commonly seen in the zoo- 

 logical gardens and have been brought over to this country for a great 

 many years for exhibition purposes. They have no wool, but are 

 covered with light-brown hair. The bucks have a decided beard 

 which extends well down their forelegs. Mature males weigh about 

 200 pounds and ewes from 125 to 150 pounds. The breed is quite 

 prolific, one ewe at the Washington Zoo dropping four lambs in 11 

 months. They are very active and suspicious, especially with 

 strangers. 



