THE SOAY SHEEP OF THE ISLAND OF HIRTA, ST. KILDA. A STUDY OF A FERAL POPULATION

Abstract
The Soay shocp of St. Kilda is the most primitive domostic breed in Europe, resembling doinesticated Neolithic sheep and the inouflon. Those on the isle of Soay, St. Kilda are prrsumably direct descendants of the first sheep introduced to the islands in prehistoric times. Flocks stemming from them now exist in parks and other islands in Britain. A flock was established on the vacant pastures of Hirta, St. Kilda after the natives and their sheep were evacuated in 1930.