Bagging- a 55" I be: 



the top edge of the grass slopes. We could only see six bucks 

 who were lying down, directly below us, with a number of madeens 

 a little to their left. I was for creeping further down in order to 

 locate the others, as of the above six only one was a really good 

 head for the Thian Shan though, I am sure, his five companions 

 dU topped 45 inches. Numgoon, however, said it was too 

 dangerous trying any more approaching, and that we had better 

 remain still, advising me at the same time to make sure of the 

 big buck below. But I felt this was not the biggest of the herd, 

 so we waited lying full length amongst the stones unable to move 

 for fear of attracting attention. 



At last, towards sunset, the six bucks rose and started grazing, 

 and a few minutes later a number appeared out of a rise in the 

 ground. I turned the glasses on to them and saw a splendid 

 buck, quite the pick of the herd. There were about twenty 

 others, all so jumbled up that I could not get a fair chance of 

 a shot. Presently the herd disappeared over the edge of the 

 lower slope, so we crept back up hill a little way and then doubled 

 round to a point further down, and along to the edge over which 

 they had slowly strolled. This necessitated the utmost care on 

 our part for the grass was dry and brittle, nevertheless it 

 seemed to me we made a most disquieting noise, and I fully 

 expected to see the entire herd setthng down into full 

 flight. However, we arrived in safety, but just before reach- 

 ing there a female ibex whistled like a siren and we very 

 nearly collapsed altogether. Cautiously I peeped over the 

 top fearing to see the entire herd in full flight. Only 

 four bucks were visible and they appeared quite unperturbed, 

 so I lay still and awaited developments. Presently I took 

 another peep, and this time luck was in for there stood the big 

 buck just about 100 yards off. 



It was now or never, for the madeens had begun whistling 

 again and were certain something was amiss, doing their utmost 

 to put the rest of the herd on the alert and save them from the 

 hunter. I had to lean well over the edge in order to cover him, 



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