4 WILD SHEEP AND GAZELLES. 



the field from it against the turbulent hill-tribes on the 

 frontier, afforded little scope for sporting proclivities beyond 

 good snipe-shooting and quail when in season, or an occa- 

 sional chance of hawking the Oubara (small bustard), &c., in 

 which sport the richer natives of the Peshawur valley often 

 indulge. 



Towards the end of 1853 we marched for Eawul Pindi, in 

 the Punjab, a much better field for sport, owing to its proxi- 

 mity to the foot of the Himalayas its neighbourhood being 

 then well stocked with game and the excellent mahseer- 

 fishing which was to be had within reachable distance. 



I was out after Oorial, 1 the wild sheep of the Punjab (Ovis 

 cycloceros), and gazelles, here termed " ravine deer " (Gazella 

 Bennettii), among the comparatively low but somewhat rugged 

 hills, and the deep ravines in the western part of the Eawul 

 Pindi district, when I was recalled from my leave and 

 ordered to proceed with a recruiting-party to an outpost on 

 the Nepal frontier, in the mountain province of Kumaon. 

 I was sorry to have to forsake the game little wild sheep 

 among which I was getting good sport. It was then the end 

 of March, and I had two months of hot travel before me, as 

 there were in those days no railways in Upper India. But 

 the long journey was of little account, with a cool climate 

 and such a fine country for game in prospect at its 

 termination. 



Marching through the plains of India during the hot 

 season is by no means pleasant. I therefore resolved to 

 avoid the heat, the dust, and their concomitant evils as much 

 as possible, by diverging from the regular route and travelling 

 for a part of the way through the outer Himalayan ranges. 

 With this intent I made direct for Simla that Indian Capua 

 which, with its salubrious climate and social attractions, is, 



1 The Oorial is the almost exact counterpart of the Moufflon of Southern 

 Europe. It is found plentifully distributed over the Salt-range in the 

 Punjab, and among the lower ranges of Afghanistan. 



