498 Wild Cattle of Great Britain. 
THE WILD CATTLE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
BY R. ©. AULD, F.Z.S. 
I ke age has always been a great deal of interest manifested in 
the lay as well as in the scientific mind as to the wild cattle of 
Britain. The British Association appointed a committee to inquire 
into the condition of these herds, and at a late meeting this com- 
mittee’s report was presented by Canon Tristram. The herds at 
present existing were stated to be those at Chartley, Chillingham, 
Cadzow, Somerford, Blickling, and Vaynol. The last (near Car- 
narvon) does not seem to be mentioned by Storer or Harting. 
The committee thought it would be extremely interesting if the 
noble owners of the three ancient herds—Chartley, Chillingham, 
and Cadzow—would co-operate with some other owner of a large 
park, if haply such could be found, willing to undertake the fol- 
lowing experiment: All calves which would ordinarily be con- 
verted into veal or steers should, instead, be sent to build up a new 
herd, which, combining the blood of the only remaining ancient 
herds and with no artificial selection exercised, might be expected 
to revert more nearly to the aboriginal wild type than could be 
achieved in any other way. 
The care with which the European bison is preserved in Poland, 
under the especial protection of the Czar of Russia, has been noted. 
The interest of the Russian and British “quality ” from the earliest 
date in taking means to preserve these aboriginal animals is most 
praiseworthy and contrasts favorably with the apathy of Americans 
in regard to their aboriginal bison. Why should not the American 
Association take this matter in hand, and, ere too late (if not, indeed, 
too late already), secure from government a regional reservation ant 
sufficient enactment that would ensure the preservation of this 
interesting species ? 
Some of these wild British herds were horned; most wer 
polled. Some of them became domesticated ; most of them became 
extinct. Their antiquity cannot be limited; they were among " 
original cattle of the island—indeed, descendants of the Uri tha 
roamed into this corner of Europe before it became an island. 
But some do not care to trace the origin of British cattle ppr 
than the historical dates of the subjugation of the various parts 0% 
