284 CAPRIN.E. 



The Serow, or Forest Goat. 



Descr. — Above black, more or less grizzled, and mixed on the flanks 

 with deep clay-colour ; a black dorsal stripe ; forearms and thighs an- 

 teriorly reddish-brown ; the rest of the limbs hoary ; beneath whitish. 



The hair is rather scanty except on the neck, on which there is a thick 

 mane, harsh and rough ; the horns are seated posterior to the orbits, but 

 below the crest of the frontals, stout, roundish, ringed more than half- 

 way, tapering, much curved backwards, slightly divergent, with the 

 points inclining outwards ; average length about 10 inches, but they are 

 said to reach 14 occasionally. 



Length of male abovit 5 to 5|^ feet ; height at shoulder about 3 feet 

 2 inches. Weight about 200 lb. 



Colonel Markham says that the Serow is something in appearance 

 between a jackass and a Taliir (Hemit7-agus jemlaica), with long stout 

 legs and a strong neck. Hodgson states that its back is straight, with 

 the withers higher than the croup, stout rigid limbs, high hoofs and 

 callous knees. By its structure it is well fitted for climbing, but not 

 for leaping. 



It inhabits the precipitous wooded mountains of the central ranges of 

 the Himalayas, from Kashmir to Sikim. It is almost always found in 

 the forests from 6,000 to 12,000 feet, and is solitary in its habits, and 

 awkward in its gait. It rushes down the steepest declivities with fearful 

 rapidity, but is not in general speedy, and does not spring well. 



Colonel Markham states that it is not very common, keeps to thickly- 

 wooded ravines, and foi-ests in steep and rocky ground, and is very tena- 

 cious of life. It is veiy bold, and will keep the wild dog at bay, and has 

 been known to kill three or four of them. Its flesh is coarse. 



Adams calls it a stupid animal, and says that unless wounded it is 

 sometimes not scared by the report of a rifle. 



Those that I have met with were always alone, in thick forest, and 

 when approached unawares, dashed off down hill in a most reckless 

 manner. They are stated to rut in February and March, and the female 

 brings forth one kid in September or October ; but Adams says that in 

 the north-west the female has her young ifi May or June. 



Nemorhctidus ruhida, Blyth, inhabits the mountains of Arrakan. It is 

 " of a red-brown colour with a black dorsal list, the hair shorter than the 

 others," N. suviatrensis is found in Sumatra, and the Malayan peninsula 



