Tamarau 129 



what incurved ; those of cows slenderer and more widely separated at their 

 bases ; colour black. Hair less sparse than in th^ larger buffaloes, reversed 

 on the middle line of the back from the occiput to the haunches ; its 

 general colour ashy-black, but in some cases apparently dark brown ; a 

 triangular patch on the inner side of each eye, one or two spots on each 

 side of the lower jaw, the lower lip, in some cases a gorget (or a pair of 

 such) on the throat, the inner surface of the ears, a patch or band above 

 each hoof, and in some examples a larger irregular patch above this on the 

 front and inner side of either the front or both legs, whitish or grayish- 

 white. Head relatively shorter than in the Indian buffalo ; the ears 

 rather small, with a band on the inner margin fringed with long 

 brownish-white hairs. 



In the exhibited example of this buffiilo in the British Museum the 

 white gorget on the throat is wanting, although present in the specimens 

 described and figured by Dr. Meyer. The gorget, when present, is 

 similar to the one on the throat of the small Bornean race of the Indian 

 buffalo, to which this species presents a considerable resemblance, although 

 its horns are shorter and more upright. In the direction of the horns, 

 as well as in the presence of one or two pairs of spots on the lower jaw, 

 the tamarau is, however, more like the anoa. By Dr. Jentink it has, 

 indeed, been suggested that the tamarau is a hybrid between the anoa and 

 the Indian buffalo. But, apart from other considerations, this would 

 imply the existence of the anoa in the Philippines, of which there is no 

 evidence either at the present time or in the past. And it may accordingly 

 be admitted that the tamarau is a perfectly distinct form ; although 

 whether it should best be regarded as an aberrant race of the Indian 

 buffalo or as a species by itself may perhaps admit of argument. 



Distribution. — The island of Mindoro, situated on the western side of 

 the Philippine group, between Palawan and Calamianes on the south and 



Luzon on the north. 



s 



