72 WILD BEASTS OF THE WORLD 



other wild Sheep, it has to endure a really hot climate. It is possible 

 that this species has been a part ancestor of tame Sheep, as it will 

 breed with them ; it has also crossed in the wild state with the Argali. 



THE BURRHEL 



(Ovis nahura) 



THE Burrhel forms in some respects a link between the Sheep and the 

 Goats, but on the whole it is certainly a Sheep, and no one used to 

 wild Sheep would call it anything else. Its size is that of a tame 

 Sheep, and its colour very distinctive, being a stone-grey rather 

 browner in summer with, in the rams, strong black bands along the 

 sides and down the fronts of the legs, while the face and chest are 

 also black. The ewes have only the black on the legs ; but they have 

 short horns. Those of the male turn out considerably sideways. This 

 Sheep inhabits Tibet and the adjacent parts of the Himalayas ; it 

 frequents either rolling or craggy ground, and fights like a Goat, 

 rearing up to butt. It thrives remarkably well in captivity, and breeds 

 freely. 



THE AOUDAD 



(Ovis tragelaphus) 



THE Aoudad or Arui, which is the only wild Sheep found in Africa, 

 where it inhabits the mountains north of the Sahara, is the most 

 distinct-looking of all Sheep in general appearance, and was, indeed, 

 originally described as an Antelope. 



It is a tall, leggy animal, sloping-backed, and standing about a 

 yard at the shoulder. The colour is uniform sandy-red or chestnut, 

 without markings. Its horns turn well outwards, and are almost as 

 big in the ewe as in the ram. The tail is quite long for a wild 

 Sheep's, reaching nearly to the hocks, and a growth of long hair 

 fringes the front of the neck and chest, and covers the fore-legs down 

 to the knees ; this is most developed in the ram, and especially, like 

 the Lion's mane, &c., in captive specimens. 



In captivity, indeed, this species thrives marvellously, and, though 

 coming from such a hot climate, will endure even so severe a winter 

 as that of New York in the open. 



