West Caucasian Tur 143 



fore-legs from below the knees downwards, where it is blackish brown or 

 black. The broad and fringe-like beard, which is confined to the chin 

 and is of the same colour as the coat, has a distinctive forward curl. In 

 colour the horns are blackish olive. The " record " horns of this species 

 are in the possession of Mr. Walter Rothschild, and measure 38J inches 

 along the front curve, with a basal girth of 12^ inches. Female horns 

 have never come under the notice of the writer, who indeed has no 

 evidence that the does are provided with horns, although such appendages 

 are probably present in that sex and attain approximately the same 

 dimensions as those of female bharal. 



Doubtless the habits of this tur are very similar to those of its western 

 relative ; but it is especially noted by those who have had an opportunity 

 of seeing it in its native haunts that it is very partial to salt-licks or 

 springs impregnated with carbonate ot iron. 



No example of this tur has ever been exhibited alive in this country. 



THE WEST CAUCASIAN TUR 



{Capra caucasicd) 



(Plate III. Fig. 7) 



The tur of the Western Caucasus is a very different-looking animal to 

 the preceding, having horns of a more ibex-like type, although in its 

 nearly uniform coloration it displays affinity to its cousin of the eastern half 

 of the range. In its generally heavy build this tur is very like Capra 

 caiicasica, with which it also agrees approximately in size, the height at 

 the shoulder in the adult ram being between ^y and 38 inches. The 

 large and massive horns of the rams, which are separated by a considerable 

 interval from one another at their bases, diverge at an angle of about 



