MUSK DEER. 117 



molested and wounded, or when awakened suddenly 

 from sleep, then he becomes a dangerous opponent, 

 as he seldom shows any lack of courage. Rising on 

 his hind legs, with head erect, he endeavours to 

 close with his assailant, and strikes tremendous 

 blows with his forepaw, invariably aiming at the 

 face or head, and inflicting most ghastly wounds 

 with his powerful claws. Although a carnivorous 

 animal, the Himalayan bear feeds much more on 

 vegetables than flesh, rarely attacking cattle or 

 animals unless when forced by hunger. 



Yellow wolves, hyenas, jackals, black-eared 

 foxes, and dholes or wild dogs, are common in 

 some parts of the range ; but as their nature and 

 habits much resemble those of their brethren of the 

 plains, I shall not enter into them. I have 

 frequently come across packs of the latter animals 

 in the birch forests, and watched them hunt down 

 gooral or burrul, always running against the wind, 

 and often chasing by relays. The game chiefly 

 sought by the sportsman is the musk deer, and the 

 diff'erent species of wild goats and sheep peculiar 

 to the range. Of the former class there are three 



