CAPRA. 501 



rally classed with the former. Hodgson distinguished it as Pseudois, 

 and there is much to be said in favour of the distinction, but the 

 sheep and goats are so nearly allied that an intermediate generic 

 form can scarcely be admitted. 



Habits. In habits as in structure the bharal is intermediate 

 between the sheep and the goats. Like the former it is found on 

 undulating ground, and frequently lies down during the day on its 

 feeding-ground, though generally amongst stones ; but, like the 

 latter, it is a splendid climber, perfectly at home on precipitous cliffs, 

 and wont, when alarmed, to take refuge in ground inaccessible to 

 man. It is found in herds of from 8 or 10 to 50 or even 100 ; the 

 males and females being generally found apart in the summer, but 

 frequently associating together at all seasons. The herds keep to 

 high open ground above forest and never enter bush even. They 

 feed and rest alternately during the day ; owing to their colour it 

 is peculiarly difficult to make them out when they are lying down 

 amongst stones. Their flesh is excellent, especially about September, 

 when they are in good condition. 



The bharal is easily tamed if taken young, and has bred freely in 

 the Zoological Gardens, Eegent's Park. The period of gestation has 

 not, however, been accurately determined ; it is 160 days according 

 to Hodgson. This animal has never been known to breed with 

 tame sheep. 



Genus CAPEA, Linn. (1766). 

 Syn. Hircus, Bodd. (1785) ; Ibex, Hodgson (1847). 



Size moderate. Tail short. No suborbital nor inguinal glands. 

 Interdigital glands wanting or confined to fore feet. No distinct 

 muffle. A beard present in all Indian species. MammaB two. 

 Callosities on the knees and sometimes on the chest. Males with 

 a peculiar strong odour. 



Skull broad at the orbits and narrowing rather suddenly in front, 

 the occipital and frontal planes meeting at an obtuse angle, occi- 

 pital and parietal area much rounded, outJine of face concave. 

 Horns in both sexes, very (30 to 54 inches) long and arising close 

 together in adult males, much smaller and farther apart in females, 

 commencing from the vertex and rising above the continuation of 

 the frontal plane, scimitar-shaped or spiral, more or less compressed 

 and angulate. Vertebra : C. 7, D. 13, L. 6, S. 3-4, C. 9-13. 



The true goats are almost confined to the Palaearctic region. All 

 live in herds, the males sometimes keeping apart from the females 

 and occasionally being found solitary. All haunt steep cliffs and 

 are splendid climbers, and all browse largely. They are very wary 

 and active. The period of gestation in tame goats is about 160 

 days (Hodgson, J. A. S. B. xvi, pis. 1020, 1021, &c.), and is 

 probably similar in their wild allies. 



