MOUFFLON-STALKING IN CYPEUS 345 



higher ridges cedars, reminiscent of the Himalayan 

 deodars, were growing, but as a rule the forest was 

 pitch-pine and holm-oak.^ We clambered up and 

 down, and along ridges which gave us the same 

 beautiful double view as on the previous day, till 

 at last we reached our intended camping-ground at 

 Dodeka Anemi (The Twelve Winds). The place is 

 w^ell named, for the only level spot for a tent is 

 exposed to " all the airts that blow." There was, 

 however, no help for it, so we pitched our camp and 

 settled in — only just in time, too, for it rained in the 

 night, besides being very cold. 



Plenty of bedding is required in a Cyprus mountain 

 camp, and we very soon found we had to send for some 

 more native quilts, or poplimas. As it was, I don't 

 know what we should have done without the in- 

 valuable little oil - stove, which warmed the tent 

 wonderfully. 



This camp was not picturesque in itself, but the 

 view over the pine - clad hills and glens was fine 

 enough, and at sunset beautiful. 



Of the presence of moufflon in the district we had 

 evidence that first night, when we were awakened by 

 the frantic scurrying of a herd whose tracks we found 

 outside next day. Probably they had come to drink, 

 this being the only water for miles round. 



Of this animal I think it is now time to give some 

 description. The wild sheep of Cyprus {Ovis ophion), 

 though admitted by naturalists to be a good species, 

 is really only a local variety of the Armenian wild 

 sheep {Ovis gmellini). Local conditions, a limited 

 range, and inbreeding have varied it to the extent 



1 There is a fine cedar-grove on the western side of the wild glen of Exo 

 Mylos, of which more hereafter. 



