THE EUROPEAN BISON THE GAUR 27 



THE EUROPEAN BISON 



(Bison bonasus) 



THE European Bison, although a slightly larger animal, is less remarkable in 

 appearance than the American species, although its close relationship is obvious 

 at a glance. It is, however, less heavy in front, and has a less copious growth 

 of mane there, and, in fact, approximates more to the ordinary Ox in appearance. 



It is a forest animal, and has long existed only in small numbers in two 

 localities, the forest of Bielowicza in Lithuania, and in the Caucasus, though in 

 ancient times widely distributed in Europe. The few hundreds in existence are 

 protected by the Russian Government. This Bison is much rarer in captivity 

 than the American species, and seems to be a less free breeder in that condition. 

 It is often called the Aurochs, but incorrectly, this being the German name of 

 the Urus, or wild ancestor of our domestic cattle, an animal now entirely extinct. 



THE YAK 



(Poephagus grunniens) 



THE Yak is a large but short-legged wild Ox, with large spreading horns much 

 like those of many domestic cattle, and a heavy fringe or flounce of long hair 

 covering the flanks and bases of the limbs ; the tail also is bushy, like a Horse's. 

 The colour is a brownish black in the wild race, which is only found in the 

 Tibetan highlands and the countries adjoining. In these regions, however, tame 

 Yaks are largely kept, and are, indeed, the chief cattle employed by the natives. 

 They are smaller than the wild ones, and often white or pied, and sometimes 

 hornless ; and it is these that are seen in European Zoological Gardens. Yaks 

 are hardy animals and good climbers ; they can bear any amount of cold, but 

 are very sensitive to heat. Their voice is a grunt, very unlike the bellow of 

 most of the Ox kind. 



THE GAUR 



(Bibos gaurus) 



THE Gaur is the characteristic wild Ox of India, and also extends east to Malacca; 

 it is often miscalled Bison by sportsmen in India. It is smooth-coated, unlike the 

 true Bison, but also very high in the withers, with good-sized, well-curved horns. 

 The coat is black, with the legs white, in adults ; but calves are chestnut. The 

 bull is a huge animal, being usually six feet at the withers, and has even been 

 known to reach eight. He is, however, far less savage than wild Oxen geherally, 



