232 T. H. NELSON : A VISIT TO CHILLINGHAM PARK, 



a young Bull was caught in the trap, and a Cow with him ; the 

 latter immediately began to bellow so furiously that the whole herd 

 came galloping to her rescue, with heads up, and looking so deter- 

 mined, that the keeper was obliged to open the gates and release 

 the captives, or the enraged animals outside would have demolished 

 the concern : the young Bull would never go into the trap again. 

 There were three of the Cattle confined in the hamel, and we 

 inspected them through the rails at only two or three yards' distance ; 

 they appeared to be very shy, and looked at us with wondering eyes, 

 retiring to the far corner of the enclosure ; they did not Seem to be 

 savagely inclined, probably being rather more accustomed to the 

 sight of human beings than their kinsmen in the Park. 



Some interesting accounts of the habits of the Cattle are given in 

 Mr. Storer's book, before-mentioned : — ' The late Lord Tankerville 

 says, " These Cattle have pre-eminently all the characteristics of wild 

 animals, with some curious and amusing peculiarities. They hide 

 their young and feed in the night, basking or sleeping during the 

 day. They are fierce when pressed, but generally speaking, very 

 timorous, moving off on the appearance of anyone, even from a 

 great distance ; yet this varies very much in different seasons of the 

 year, and according to the manner in which they are approached. 

 In summer I have been for several weeks at a time without getting a 

 sight of them — they, on the slightest appearance of anyone, retiring 

 into a wood, which serves them as a sanctuary ; on the other hand, 

 in winter, when coming down for food in the inner park, and being 

 in constant contact with people, they will let you almost come 

 among them, particularly if on horseback. But they have a 

 thousand peculiarities. They will be sometimes feeding quietly, 

 when, if anyone appears suddenly near them, they will be struck 

 with a sudden panic and gallop off, running one over the other, and 

 never stopping till they get into their sanctuary. They have a 

 peculiar cry, more resembling that of a wild beast than that of 

 ordinary Cattle. When they come down into the lower part of the 

 park, which they do at stated hours, they move like a regiment of 

 cavalry, in single file, the Bulls leading the van ; and when in retreat 

 the Bulls bring up the rear." ' 



Lord Ossulton, now Lord Tankerville, was witness to a curious 

 way in w^hich they took possession, as it were, of some new pasture 

 recently laid open to them. It was evening, about sunset. They 

 began by lining the front of a small wood, which seemed quite alive 

 with them, when all of a sudden they made a dash forward all 

 together in line, and charging close by him across the plain, they 

 then spread out, and, after a little time, began feeding. 



Naturalist, 



