WILD WHITE CATTLE. 235 



owner of the herd, who naturally would be expected 

 to know more about it than any visitor. 



In 1692, according to the steward's account, the 

 herd consisted of only 14 breeding animals, bulls, and 

 cows, and calves of both sexes, and 1 2 steers ; in 

 all 28. In 1838, according to Mr. Hindmarsh, there 

 were about 80, comprising 25 bulls, 40 cows, and 

 15 steers of various ages. In May, 1861, Mr. Darwin 

 was informed by the agent, Mr. Hardy, that they 

 numbered about 50. This was about the number 

 we saw when visiting the park in May, 1863. In 

 August, 1873, the herd consisted of 64 head — 1 7 bulls 

 of all ages from calves upwards, 19 steers, and 28 

 cows, heifers, and female calves (Storer, p. 171). In 

 October, 1874, according to Lord Tankerville, the 

 herd numbered 71. In March, 1875, the number had 

 again decreased, amounting to 62 only — viz., 14 bulls 

 and bull calves, 3 1 cows and cow calves, and 1 7 steers. 

 In July, 1877, there were still fewer — 59 only— con- 

 sisting of 8 bulls, 27 cows and heifers, and 16 steers 

 {Zoologist, 1878, p. 281). Lord Tankerville says 

 they increase slowly, several dying each year by 

 accidents or by overrunning their calves when dis- 

 turbed ; and the cows breed slowly, owing to having 

 frequently the calves still sucking the second year." 



Bewick's assertion that a few of the Chillingham 

 cattle in his day had black ears is confirmed from other 

 sources. In 1 692 there were more with black ears than 

 with red ears, and the present prevalence of red ears 

 seems to have been brought about by selection. 



Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfriesshire. — Until the 



