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



of the two animals is very different, although it must be confessed that in 

 this respect the bharal is more like the true goats (as typified by the wild 

 goat) than is the present species. Again, it is evident that the animal 

 under consideration is nearly related to the western tur, which has horns 

 of a distinctly ibex-like character. While, then, it is quite conceivable that 

 some naturalists would prefer to see the bharal and eastern tur placed by 

 themselves between the true sheep on the one hand and the true goats on 

 the other, the view here followed is to class the first-named species with 

 the sheep, while the latter finds a position among the goats. 



If we except the aforesaid presumed hybrids, the present species 

 cannot possibly be mistaken for any other of its tribe, being indeed one 

 of the easiest of the goat-like ruminants to recognise. Its most distinctive 

 features are to be found in the cylindrical, dark-coloured, and bharal-like 

 horns of the rams, the short and transversely extended beard which adorns 

 the chin of that sex, and the dark brown or bay, relieved with black 

 points, of the coat. 



Standing about 38 inches in height at the shoulder, the eastern tur is a 

 somewhat heavily built animal, with the short tail of the goats. The 

 large and massive horns of the rams have the usual goat-like twist, that is 

 to say, the right horn forms a left spiral, and vice versa. At the base the 

 two horns are separated by a comparatively wide interval. In section they 

 are nearly cylindrical, and externally they bear more or less indistinct 

 transverse ribs, as well as, at long intervals, bolder lines indicating the 

 limits of each year's growth, but they are quite devoid of the bold knots 

 or knobs which form such a conspicuous feature on the horns of the 

 western tur and the true ibex. Their direction is at first outwards and 

 slightly upwards, after which it becomes backwards, downwards, and 

 inwards. The winter coat is of moderate length and thickness, and of a 

 generally uniform dull brown or bay tint, except on the chin, the tip of 

 the tail, the front and inner surfaces of the hind-legs, and the front of the 



