130 Game of Europe, W. & N. Asia & America 



THE THIAN SHAN SHEEP 



[Ovis poll kd?-c/i}ii) 



From the typical Marco Polo's sheep of the Pamirs the present variety 

 differs by the shorter horns of the rams, the spiral of which seldom much 

 exceeds a single complete circle. In some examples the outer front angle 

 of the horns is completely rounded off" at the base, but in other specimens 

 it is prominent and sharp. In the winter coat there appears to be less 

 white on the buttocks and thighs than in the typical 0. /"?//, and the upper 

 part of the face is, in many instances at any rate, brownish instead of pure 

 white. The winter coat of the female shows a dark stripe running from 

 the back of the head to the root of the tail ; the tail itself being in both 

 sexes frequently almost or completely white, although sometimes, it is 

 said, showing a dark line along the upper surface. 



This sheep was first obtained from the Alatau, to the north ot Lake 

 Issik-kul in the Semirechinsk Altai, whence it extends southwards to the 

 partially wooded flanks of the Thian Shan range, where, however, it is 

 not very common. 



An idea prevalent among sportsmen that the various distinguishable 

 forms of Central Asiatic large sheep pass into one another may be alluded 

 to in this place. The writer has been informed, for instance, by Mr. 

 P. W. Church, that as the habitat of the true O. ijiiiiiioii is approached 

 O. poll tends to assume the characteristic features of the former. If this 

 be confirmed, and a gradation, more or less complete, be found to exist 

 between these two forms, it is evident that all the argali-like sheep will 

 have to be regarded as local races of O. iiDiiiioii. 



