Himalayan Ibex 285 



present time in no better position to decide the question, which must 

 consequently await turther evidence. From the analogy of the Tibetan 

 and Siberian argalis, and the difference between the markhor of Baltistan 

 and that of the Pir-Panjal, I am, however, of opinion that the Himalayan 

 ibex is probably sub-specifically distinct from the Thian Shan and Altai 

 form, and therefore retain the name which has been proposed for it. 



Distribution. — The higher elevations of the Himalaya, exclusive of the 

 Pir-Panjal, from the bend of the Indus above Gilgit eastwards, at least as 

 far as the source of the Ganges. Mr. Blanford remarks that this ibex "is 

 not known to occur farther east in the Himalayas nor in Eastern Tibet, 

 and although it is included in Hodgson's lists of Nepal mammals, there 

 are no specimens in his collection ; but when in Northern Sikhim I heard 

 from Tibetans of an animal, probably this species, inhabiting the mountains 

 north of Shigatze, and Hodgson obtained similar information as to its 

 occurrence north of Lhassa and Digarchi." Mr. Rowland Ward has, 

 however, recorded ibex heads from Ladak, and I believe that I myself 

 have heard of the existence of the animal in the southern parts of 

 that district. 



c. Dauvergne's Race — Capra sibirica dauvergnei 



Capra dauvergnei., Sterndale, "Journ. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. vol. i. p. 24 

 (1886); Blanford, Fauna Brit. Ind. — Mamm. p. 504 (1891). 



Characters. — A provisional race founded on a head purchased in Kashmir, 

 which it is suggested may have come from the districts to the west of 

 that country. The horns are very dark-coloured, much more curved 

 round than is ordinarily the case in the Himalayan race, and are devoid 

 of knobs except near the tips. The latter peculiarity is strongly suggestive 

 of an abnormality. Three specimens are recorded, in the longest of which 

 the horns measure 52 inches along the curve. 



