3o6 Tahr 



is the only species of wild goat living southward ot the northern 

 tropic. 



Habits. — The Nilgiri ibex, as it is commonly called by English sports- 

 men, has suffered much from incessant pursuit, in consequence ot which its 

 numbers have been greatly diminished. The Madras Government has, 

 however, recently enacted forest -laws for its protection, and a special 

 permit is necessary for shooting, so that there are hopes it will once more 

 increase. The best accounts of its habits are those given by Col. Douglas 

 Hamilton, "■ Hawkeye," and Mr. Blanford. From these it appears that the 

 Nilgiri tahr was formerly found in herds numbering trom 5 to 50 or 60 

 head, although occasionally, from tlie temporary amalgamation of different 

 herds, considerably more might be seen together. Their tav^ourite haunts 

 are the crags and precipices above the torest level, the interspersed slopes 

 of grass affording their feeding grounds ; but they occasionally \'enture on 

 to the open grassy tracts forming the plateau at the summit ot the hills. 

 Like other goats, thev feed during the mornings and evenings, reposing 

 beneath the shelter of rocks during the day. They are exceedingly difficult 

 to stalk, being as active and wary as their Himalayan relative, but, like that 

 species, suspecting danger from below rather than from above, and the old 

 does acting as sentinels to the herds. Their chief toes are leopards, though 

 a few fall victims to prowling tigers, and others doubtless tt) packs of wild 

 dogs. Two kids appear to be generally produced at a birth ; and as kids 

 may be seen with the herds throughout the greater part of the year, there 

 does not seem to be any definite breeding season. 



The following extract from the pen of" Hawkeye " admirably describes 

 the wariness of the species : — " Usually before reposing, one of the herd, 

 generally an old doe, may be observed intently gazing below, apparently 

 scanning every spot in the range of her vision, sometimes for half an hour or 

 more before she is satisfied that all is well ; strange to say, seldom or ever 

 looking up to the rocks above. Then, being satisfied on the one side, she 



