1 68 Game of Europe, W. & N. Asia & America 



So far as can be ascertained, the Asiatic ibex appears to be a somewhat 

 heavier and more bulky animal than its nearly extinct cousin of the Alps, 

 its height at the shoulder reaching to as much as 42 inches, while its 

 weight will sometimes turn the scale at 206 lbs. It is likewise broadly 

 distinguished by the much greater length and size ot the beard of the 

 bucks, which is black in colour, and adds greatly to the dignity and im- 

 posing appearance of this splendid representatiye of the goat tribe. The 

 horns, too, are much larger, with their iront surface squared at both angles, 

 and its knobs, or knots, very bold and massive. The record length of horn 

 is afforded by a pair in the possession of Major A. E. Ward, which 

 measure 56 inches along the front curve. The other measurements ot 

 this unrivalled trophy are not given, hut in the next best pair, which were 

 picked up near Gilgit, and are in the mess-house ot the officers of the 

 Queen's Own Corps ot Guides, the length is 54-^, the basal girth 10 j, and 

 the tip-to-tip interval 25 inches. 



In addition to the apparently somewhat larger relative size of its ears, 

 the Asiatic ibex is further distinguished by the presence ot white or 

 huffish white on some portion ot the upper surface of the body or on the 

 legs. In the Baltistan, Irtish, and Himalayan races the light area covers a 

 larger or smaller extent of the back, as well as a patch at the base of the 

 neck, at least in the summer coat, as is noticed in some detail below. In 

 the typical or Thian Shan race, on the other hand, as shown in plate xxiv. 

 of 111 /J Oa(7/, S/nr/y, ivul Goiits, the whole of the upper-parts, at least in 

 certain specimens and at certain seasons, are uniformly brown, with a 

 darker streak down the back, while the white makes its appearance on tlie 

 hinder surface of the legs. Additional specimens of the typical race of this 

 species are, however, much required in this country in order to ascertain 

 the constancy or otherwise ot the aforesaid type of coloration. 



Information is likewise required witli regard to the limits of the dis- 

 tributional area of the typical race, which is known to occur in the Thian 



