The Goa, or Tibetan Gazelle 



Himalayan ruminants in that, when fired at, they do 

 not go straight away, but, after running for a certain 

 distance, stop and begin to feed again, thus affording 

 the sportsman a second chance. When running off, 

 the white hairs of the rump-patch are partially erected 

 and expanded, in the same manner as in Japanese deer ; 

 the white patch in both cases serving as a guide for the 

 members of a herd to follow their leaders in flight. 

 The grey summer-coat renders goa difficult to detect, 

 and affords them the best protection at the season when 

 the ground is free from snow. In their winter dress 

 they may accord better with a snow-clad landscape. 



In regard to goa-shooting, Mr. H. Z. Darrah, in 

 Sport in the Highlands of Kashmir^ recommends the 

 sportsman who is on the ground in late summer to 

 avoid the herds, and confine his attentions to the small 

 parties of old bucks. If these are seen moving towards 

 ground where there seems to be a chance of getting 

 within range, the sportsman should make a circuit, and 

 endeavour to intercept them. Under other conditions, 

 it is preferable to advance straight towards them in the 

 hope of driving them out into the open. Lastly, 

 whether at short or long range, a shot should be taken 

 whenever an opportunity presents itself, as, owing to 

 the habit already mentioned, in the event of a miss, 

 there is no fear of the game taking themselves beyond 

 hope of pursuit. Large herds, when on open ground, 

 will let nothing approach within 400 yards ; and it is 

 impossible to drive them on to broken ground, for the 

 reason that they refuse to go. 



The goa's chief enemies, other than man, are 

 probably the snow-leopard, the Tibetan lynx, the wild 

 dog, and the Tibetan wolf, the same animals likewise 

 preying on the chiru. The fawns of both species are 

 doubtless also carried off more or less frequently by 

 eagles. 



191 



