Bharal 237 



25i 



25I III 25Jf 



24^ 12^ 26 



24f io| 27I 



24 II 22^ 



Distribution. — Tibet, from the neighbourhood of Shigar in Baltistan in 

 the west to Moupin in the east, and from the main axis of the Himalaya 

 in the south, or in places in the high country somewhat southwards, to the 

 Kuenlun and Altyn-tag in the north. Apparently never descending below 

 an elevation of about 10,000 feet above the sea-level, and in summer com- 

 monly met with at elevations of from about 14,000 to 16,000 feet, or even 

 higher. 



Habits. — Bharal is the Hindustani title of this very aberrant and peculiar 

 sheep, but its proper Ladaki name is na or s'na. By Englishmen it is very 

 commonly known as the blue sheep, a name admirably denoting that peculi- 

 arity of coloration whereby it is so strikingly different from all its kindred. 

 As structure is intimately correlated with habits, it is not surprising to find 

 the blue sheep displaying in its habits features common to the goats on the 

 one hand and to the sheep on the other. For instance, while resembling 

 sheep in dwelling on open undulating ground, and in displaying a frequent 

 tendency to repose during the midday hours on its feeding- places, the 

 bharal rivals the goats in its climbing capabilities, being able to ascend 

 precipitous cliffs with facility, and when disturbed generally resorting to 

 ground which it would try the most skilled and active mountaineer 

 to ascend. Although these observations are not my own, I am able to 

 confirm their accuracy from the results of personal experience. On one 

 occasion, when travelling in Ladak, on the southern side ot the great 

 mountain-barrier bordering the south side of the Indus opposite the town 

 of Leh, I came suddenly and unexpectedly on a large tiock of bharal, the 



