292 



Goats 



recover its numbers. At the time that I knew the district, markhor were 

 nearly always to be met with at the head of a small valley flowing into 

 the Jhelam near its bend below Naoshera ; but of late years, I am 

 informed, they have become extremely scarce there. 



Unlike the Astor race, the Pir-Panjal markhor is a thoroughly forest- 

 dwelling goat, its true home being the precipitous cliffs in the thick 

 forests ot its native range, from which it sallies forth at times to graze on 



Fic. 56. — Horns of male Pir-Panjal Markhor. 



the higher slopes of the mountains. After the storms which are so 

 frequent at many seasons of the year in the Panial and Kajnag ranges, 

 markhor are almost sure to show themselves in the open glades at the 

 first gleam of sunshine ; and it is consequently at such times that they 

 should be most carefully looked for by the sportsman. 



The forests in which the markhor dwell are chiefly of pines and 

 birch, and these alternate with steep grassy slopes and precipitous cliffs 

 of slaty or trappean rock. During the day the markhor remain con- 

 cealed in the most secluded depths of the forest, issuing forth to feed only 



