Volume 12, Plate XXIV / Mammalia (Mammals)

White Urus, or Hamilton Breed of Wild Cattle

Taurus Urus

An ancient breed believed descended from the wild white cattle the Romans found, kept with great care at Hamilton and Chillingham, the Hamilton Urus being dun-white with black muzzle, ears, hoofs and mottled fore legs, the cows often hornless and short-bodied. Exceedingly hardy, wild and untractable, feeding in a flock and resembling fallow deer in habit, they fiercely defend their hidden young, smell strangers at a distance, and can only be slaughtered by shooting.