The Shapo, or Urial 



hours. They are better than argali at getting over 

 rough and rocky ground, although decidedly inferior 

 in this respect to bharal. In undisturbed districts they 

 seldom wander far from their feeding - grounds, and 

 often descend into the open fields to graze on young 

 wheat and other crops. On the other hand, when much 

 shot at, they retire to a distance trom the grazing- 

 grounds before reposing for the midday hours. The 

 steep ridges and ravines among which they dwell afford 

 excellent stalking-ground, if the sportsman can walk 

 over the loose stones and shingle without alarming his 

 game ; but even if thus disturbed, the flock will 

 frequently be found in an adjoining ravine. 



THE BHARAL, OR BLUE SHEEP 



(Ovis \_Pseudois] nahiira) 



Native Names. — Bharal^ Bharar^ and Bharut^ Hindu- 

 stani ; Na OR Sna^ Ladaki ; Wa or War in the 

 SuTLEj Valley ; Nervati^ Nepali ; Nao or Gnao 



OF THE BhOTIAS 



(Plate iii, figs. 5, 5^) 



The bharal or blue sheep of Tibet is markedly 

 distinct from all other wild sheep, and makes a step in 

 the direction of the goats. One of its most striking 

 features is to be found in the horns, which in rams 

 show a peculiar S-like curvature, and are rounded or 

 sub-quadrangular at the base, with the whole surface 

 (except for the annual rings of growth) nearly smooth, 

 without the transverse wrinkles and grooves so char- 

 acteristic of those of other Asiatic wild sheep. The 

 horns of the ewes (plate iii, fig. 5^) are also unlike those 

 of other sheep, being short, approximated at their bases, 

 much compressed, and curving upwards and outwards 

 in a somewhat scimitar-like fashion. Then, too, there 

 are no traces of the glands below the eyes found in all 



105 



