Pyrenean Tur 149 



THE PYRENEAN TUR 



[Capra pyrenaicd) 



(Plate III. Fig. 8) 



The wild goat inhabiting the Pyrenees and the mountains of Andalusia 

 is intermediate in several respects between the tur of the Caucasus and the 

 true ibex, being, on the whole, nearer to the former in the characters of 

 its horns, but approximating to some of the latter and to the wild goat in 

 its parti-coloured coat. Although by sportsmen frequently called an ibex, 

 it is perhaps better termed a tur. As it is represented by two distinct 

 although very closely allied local races, the term Spanish tur may be 

 employed when speaking of the species, while the two races may severally 

 be distinguished as the Pyrenean and the Andalusian tur. 



The great historians of the species are Messrs. Abel Chapman and 

 Buck, who, in their delightful work Wild Spain, have given an excellent 

 description of its habits in a state of nature, and of the kind of country in 

 which it is found. Mr. E. N. Buxton, in Short Stalks, has likewise con- 

 tributed some valuable notes on the species and the manner in which it 

 should be stalked. As extracts from both these accounts have been given 

 in Wild Oxen, Sheep, and Goats, the reader who has not the original works 

 at hand may be referred to that volume. 



The Spanish tur is an animal of lighter build, with a longer and 

 narrower face, than either of the two species of tur inhabiting the 

 Caucasus. In height it stands about 32 inches at the withers when 

 full grown. The horns of the old bucks are closely approximated at their 

 bases, and are triangular in transverse section, with the inner edge produced 

 into a sharp keel, and the front surface transversely ridged at the base, but 

 towards the extremity, where it becomes posterior in position, strongly 



