52 BULLETIN 94, V. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
After the establishment of the breed in Perth and Dumbarton, 
they colonized the neighboring counties and eventually spread over 
the Highlands of Scotland and much of the mountainous region of 
England. About a century ago, the Black-face was forced to retreat 
before the Cheviot, but it later reestablished itself, because of its 
greater hardiness. These two breeds practically comprise the sheep 
sections of the Scotch shows. David Dun, of Kirkton, greatly im- 
proved the breed, and he has been referred to as the Scotch Bakewell. 
Cross-bred or grade Black-faced Highland sheep meet with much 
favor in Scotland. Crossing a Leicester ram upon the ewes pro- 
duces what is known as a " cross" or "mule"; a Cheviot ram upon 
Black-faced ewes produces a " half -long." 
Hugh Brodie, in June, 1861, made an importation of one ram and 
two ewes to New York Mills, N. Y. In 1867 Isaac Stickney made an 
importation into Illinois. They have not been especially popular, 
and consequently their distribution is quite limited. The New York 
State Fair is the only show in this country where these sheep are 
exhibited. 
The breed would probably succeed in some of the mountainous parts 
of this country and also in Alaska, as they thrive excellently upon 
coarse pasture, but upon the more fertile, arable districts they are 
out of place and will not yield returns comparable to those of the 
breeds adapted to the latter conditions. They are a very picturesque 
breed and are suitable for keeping in parks, and have been used for 
this purpose to a certain extent. 
The Black-faced Highland is the hardiest of all British breeds of 
sheep. They are small and very active, but not so restless as the 
Welsh Mountain sheep. Their faces and legs are generally free from 
wool and covered with black or black and white hair. They usually 
have a small amount of wool about the top of their heads. When 
'mottled, the markings are always very distinct. The form is rather 
inferior because of then habits of life, but the mutton is of the highest 
quality. Rams and ewes in breeding condition should average about 
150 pounds and 125 pounds, respectively. 
The fleece is of very low quality, lacking fineness, luster, and uni- 
formity. It usually contains considerable hair and kemp and is 
classed as carpet wool when sold upon our markets. The staple is 
usually quite long, occasionally attaining a length of 15 inches. 
Both sexes are horned, and it is sometimes necessary to cut off part 
of the horns to prevent their growing into the head and to allow 
them to eat, otherwise they could not get their heads upon the ground. 
The ewes are good mothers and fair milkers, and the lambs are very 
strong at birth. These sheep show a marked fondness for their 
homes. It is claimed that they have traveled 60 miles and swam 
rivers to return to their native haunts. 
