BRITISH PARK-CATTLE 
87 
seem unnecessary, it is important that these should 
be briefly noticed, as they probably throw light on 
the mode of life of the aurochs, since it is a well- 
known fact that domesticated animals which have 
reverted to a more or less nearly wild condition tend 
to resume the habits of their ancestors. 
One of the earliest accounts of the Chillingham 
herd was given by George Culley in his Observations 
on Live Stock, published in London in 1786, who 
wrote as follows : — 
"At the first appearance of any person, they set 
off in full gallop, and, at the distance of about 
two hundred yards, make a wheel round, and come 
boldly up again, tossing their heads in a menacing 
manner: on a sudden they make a full stop at the 
distance of forty or fifty yards, looking wildly at the 
object of their surprise; but upon the least motion 
being made, they all again turn round, and fly off 
with equal speed, but not to the same distance, 
forming a shorter circle, and again returning with 
a bolder and more threatening aspect than before ; 
they approach much nearer, probably within thirty 
yards, when they again make another stand, and 
then fly off : this they do several times, shortening 
their distance, and advancing nearer and nearer, 
till they come within such a short distance that 
most people think it prudent to leave them, not 
choosing to provoke them further. . . . 
" When the cows calve, they hide their calves for 
a week or ten days in some sequestered situation, 
and go and suckle them two or three times a day. 
If any person come near the calves, they clap their 
heads close to the ground, and lie like a hare in a 
form to hide themselves." 
