ON THE SHEEP OF ZETLAND. 20: 



if a lamb happen to be reared in the house, in 

 consequence of the early death of the mother, 

 it plays and even rights with dogs, and readily 

 joins them in the pursuit of other animals. 



The sheep are never taken under cover in the 

 winter time ; nor in case of snow, is there any 

 food provided for them. On this latter account, 

 they suffer greatly, having little else to feed upon, 

 for weeks in succession, but the sea- weed grow- 

 ing on the shores, or what has been drifted on 

 the beach by the surf. It is curious to observe 

 with what precision they leave the hills, and be- 

 take themselves to the sea-side, at the moment 

 the tide of ebb commences. This I can state to 

 be an absolute fact, although I am utterly unable 

 to explain by what process of sensation or of in- 

 stinct it is effected. From remaining quiet on 

 the hills, and endeavouring to browse on their 

 summits, a whole flock is seen suddenly to run 

 towards the sea-shore, and on observing the state 

 of the tide, it is found, that the water has just be- 

 gun to recede. 



On the coming on of a storm of snow, they re- 

 tire to the more sheltered places, which are ge- 

 nerally in the neighbourhood of the sea. There 

 they are frequently snown over, and by the sub- 

 sequent melting and falling down of the snow, 

 are sometimes thrown over the rocks into the sea. 

 On such occasions, they frequently assemble in 

 considerable numbers on the side of a hill, and 

 place themselves in such a manner as that their 



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