Idiom question

[A. Maberry]

On Fri, 21 Jan 2000, A. Vine wrote:
>
> Yes, but we know there is a difference.  We are not referring only to females.
>

Never having been on an real, working  farm or dairy in my life, I feel
confident to speak as a city dweller. When I see a bunch of "bovines" of
indeterminate gender I refer to them (probably incorrectly) as a herd of
cattle. If they look like dairy cows, I'd call them cows and if they have
large horns I'd call them steers. "Ruminants" or "bovines"--maybe, but not
often.

Allen
maberry at u.washington.edu