288 Goats 



The habits of this noble species may be best considered under the 

 heading of the different races. Information is much needed whether these 

 show any difference in the coloration of the pelage, or whether they differ 

 solely in respect of the horns and size. 



Distrilnit'io)i. — The Kajnag and Pir-Panjal ranges south of Kashmir to 

 as far east as the valley of the Chinab ; the ranges of Baltistan, Astor, and 

 Gilgit to the north ; Hazara and several of the hill-ranges of Afghanistan, 

 such as the Suleman range as far south as Gendari Hill near Mithankot, 

 and likewise Takatu and Chehiltan near Ouetta. In the Pliocene epoch 

 the plains of the Punjab. 



The weight of specimens of the larger races ot the markhor ranges 

 from 1 80 to 240 lbs.; the actual records being 1S4, 204, and 240 lbs. 



a. Astor Race — Capra falconeri tvpka 



Capra falconeri. Ward, Records of Big Gc/wt\ p. 236 (1896). 



Characters. — Size large, probably fully equal to that of the next 

 race. Horns of males forming an extremely open spiral, apparently never 

 exceeding one and a halt turns. 



Distribution. — Astor and Baltistan ; apparently intergrading with the 

 next race on the confines of Hazara and Gilgit. 



Habits. — Like the other races of the species, the Astor markhor 

 frequents the most difficult and precipitous ground, where, in spite of its 

 size and weight, its agility is fully equal to that of any other member of 

 the genus. So precipitous, indeed, is the country where it is found, 

 that a considerable proportion of the heads shot are irretrievably ruined by 

 falling from the cliffs into the valleys below. Congregating for a consider- 

 able part of the year in herds, from which, however, the old bucks separate 

 themselves in summer, they live almost entirely in the open, resorting to 



