90 



IBEX 



one with which we have to do in the present volume ; but it may be 

 well to mention that the Sinaitic race is distinguished as C. ti. sinaitica, 

 and the Arabian form as C. n. viengesi. In the Nubian animal the 

 knots on the horns of the bucks are strongly developed and regularly 

 arranged, but in the Sinaitic race they are lower and much less regular, 

 so that the horns seem to make some approach to those of the Asiatic 



wild goat. The general colour of 

 the upper- parts is brownish or 

 yellowish fawn, probably varying 

 according to season ; with the 

 muzzle, chin, beard, flanks, chest, 

 nape-tuft, dorsal line, and outer side 

 and part of legs (except knees and 

 pasterns) blackish brown or black ; 

 and the inner sides of the thighs 

 and buttocks, a streak on the 

 abdomen, inner sides and back of 

 hind-legs below the hocks, most of 

 the corresponding surfaces of the 

 fore-legs above the knees, and a 

 band above each hoof, white or 

 whitish. Horns black. Accord- 

 ing to an account given by Captain 

 John Marriott, the breeding-season 

 commences in September, and lasts 

 for two or three weeks, after which 

 the old males appear to leave the 

 herds and retire to the mountain 

 fastnesses, since they are then diffi- 

 cult to find. If, however, rain fall, 

 and especially when accompanied 

 by thunder, the old bucks re- 

 appear, traversing the country in search of the does, and may be found 

 with the herds during October and November. From the latter month 

 till January their coats are in the finest condition, but later on the 

 colour begins to fade and the long winter-dress is gradually shed. 

 Like others of their kind, these ibex are very acute of hearing and 

 smell. Owing to their fear of leopards, they appear to remain much 

 on the alert during the night ; but after feeding in the early hours 

 of the morning, they generally repose for an hour or two after about 

 9 A.M., and they always rest during the noonday heat — one watchful 



Fig. 30. — A Nubian Ibex in the gardens at 

 Ghiza, from a photograph by Captain 

 S. S. Flower. 



