The Gaur, or Indian Bison 



approximation of the eyes to the base of the horns, a 

 more or less marked compression of the horns, especially 

 near the base, and the relatively shorter tail, the tufted 

 tip of which hangs but little below the level of the 

 hocks. More important is an elevated ridge extending 

 from the neck and shoulders to the middle of the back, 

 where, in its most developed condition, it forms a 

 sudden step-like descent towards the loins. In old 

 bulls the colour is generally blackish brown, but in 

 cows and young bulls either a paler shade of the same 

 or red or fawn ; the legs, from above the knees and 

 hocks downwards, being, in both sexes and at all ages, 

 white or yellowish. All the species have short sleek 

 coats, without a mane or long hair on the withers ; the 

 hoofs in all are narrow and game-like ; and the number 

 ot pairs of ribs in the skeleton is thirteen. 



The bull gaur is one of the boldest and handsomest 

 members of the ox tribe, and in the opinion of the late 

 Mr. G. P. Sanderson " undoubtedly the finest species 

 of the genus Bos in the world." Standing occasionally 

 as much as 6 feet or even 6 feet 4 inches (19 hands) ^ 

 at the withers, although frequently not exceeding ^^ 

 feet, the bull gaur is distinguished by the great arched 

 and forwardly curving crest, communicating a marked 

 concavity to the profile ot the forehead, of which there 

 is no trace in other species. The massive horns, much 

 flattened from back to front at the base, where they are 

 marked by exfoliating rings, spread outwards from 

 each side of this broad crest in a bold sweep, the curve 

 continuing throughout their length, with the tips, 

 when perfect, inclining inwards and slightly backwards. 

 Frequently, however, one or both tips are broken off 

 during the combats for supremacy in which the bulls 

 engage. In colour the horns are pale greenish or 

 yellowish for the greater portion of their lengthy 



1 Mr. Stuart Baker {Asian, February 27, 1900) says that gaur may 

 stand 21 hands (7 feet) in Kachar. A similar statement is made by 

 Colonel PoUok with regard to the Burmese representative of the species. 



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