246 
NATURE NOTES. 
had to be destroyed. In 1886 the experiment of obtaining a bull 
from Chillingham proved more successful, and one or two of the 
calves born having either the Hamilton or the Chillingham 
markings were preserved. In 1886 the herd numbered three- 
score, but this year it is at a very low ebb, there being but eight 
bulls, thirteen cows, and four properly marked calves. Every 
year there is a battle royal amongst the bulls for the leadership 
of the herd. This is sometimes attended with most disastrous 
results ; and in 1885 four bulls perished in this way, and two in 
1886. 
The Hamilton herd ofwild white cattle is now the sole remaining 
Scottish one, those kept at Auchencruive, Cumbernauld, Drum- 
lanrig, and Ardrossan, being long since extinct. On the disper- 
sion of the latter herd about the beginning of this century a part, 
it is presumed, came to Hamilton, the remainder being sent to 
Blair Athole, in Perthshire. But at Blair Athole from one cause 
and another the cattle became reduced to one young pure-bred 
bull. This animal was sent to Sir John Orde, of Kilmory, 
Argyllshire, who with considerable difficulty procured a few 
white West Highland cattle or “kyloes,” and from these and 
the Blair Athole bull the present Kilmory herd is derived. The 
last recorded locality for wild cattle in Scotland, other than those 
of the preserved herds, is Stirling, where they seem to have been 
hunted up to about 1578. 
The most famous English herd is that kept at Chillingham 
Park, Northumberland, the seat of the Earl of Tankerville. 
Though somewhat fiercer in disposition than those at Cadzow, 
nevertheless, the Chillingham cattle are much less noble, 
picturesque, and awe-inspiring in appearance. They are inferior 
in size and symmetry, and though the coat may be finer, the 
markings are not nearly so beautiful. The horns are brown, 
passing into white at the tips, the ears and muzzle reddish. 
These markings do not contrast so well with the white coat as 
the black ones of the Hamilton herd. 
Another famous English herd is that preserved at Lyme 
Park, Cheshire. It has the characteristic colour of all the wild 
herds, white with blackish markings. At Somerford Park, also 
in Cheshire, there is a domesticated herd which, however, pre- 
serves the peculiar features of wild white cattle. Hornless and 
pure white, the rims of the eyes, ears, muzzle and hoofs are 
black. The cows are exceptionally good milkers. 
At Chartley, in Staffordshire, another herd is preserved in its 
pristine purity. Visitors to the Zoo will have an opportunity of 
examining a fine bull of this strain, presented to the Zoological 
Society by Lord Ferrers. The Chartley cattle are cream-white, 
with black muzzles and ears and black-tipped horns. In the 
neighbourhood of Chartley the singular superstition prevails that 
whenever a black calf is born to this herd a member of the 
Ferrers family dies. Accordingly such black calves as are 
occasionally born are immediately killed by the keepers. 
