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



THE EUROPEAN MUFLON 



[Ov/'s imisimoji) 



(Plate III. Fig. 4) 



In spite of its diminutive stature and comparatively small horns (small, 

 that is to say, when contrasted with the enormous cranial appendages of 

 the s;reat sheep of Central Asia), the old ram of the European muflon, 

 or wild sheep of the mountains of Corsica and Sardinia, is one of the 

 handsomest members of its tribe ; the large whitish saddle-patch on the 

 back in the winter coat, and the bold contrasts of black and orange-fawn 

 on other parts of the body, rendering it a most strikingly-coloured and 

 conspicuous animal. Conspicuous, that is to say, when mounted in a 

 Museum, for during life its coloration is doubtless adapted to harmonise 

 with that of its inanimate surroundings. The muflon (or mouflon, as the 

 name is generally spelt) is likewise a thoroughly game little animal, in- 

 habiting country which calls for much skill and endurance on the part of 

 the sportsman who desires to secure a good " bag." 



Much is heard nowadays of the cruel wrong done to posterity by 

 reason of the extermination or decimation of so many species of animals 

 which has taken place during the nineteenth century. But if report 

 speak true the same fell work had made itself evident in South-Eastern 

 Europe in very early times, for the muflon is stated at one period to have 

 been an inhabitant of Greece and the Balearic Islands, although it must be 

 confessed that there is only legend to this effect. Be this true or false, the 

 muflon at the present day has but an extremely restricted range, being 

 confined to the mountains of Corsica and Sardinia. Possibly each of these 

 two islands may be the habitat of a distinct race of the species. Further 

 information with regard to this point is, however, required, and also in 



