Ovis Avimov. 



the worse, and prospects of crossing the formidable range of 

 mountains seemed but slight. 



Mongolia is noted for the variety of wild sheep found within 

 its limits, the finest of which is located in the Great Altai Moun- 

 tains. Here is found the true ammon [Ovis ammon typica), 

 of the great Argali sheep, for which North Central Asia is 

 noted. Its habitat is the range of mountains in question 

 and the highlands of North-western Mongolia. In appearance 

 it resembles the Ovis poll of the Pamirs, but the length of horn 

 is not so great as in the latter case, the record for an Ovis 

 ammon head being 63I inches, whilst that of the Ovis poll is 

 75 inches. 



It frequents the bare uplands on the northern slopes of the 

 Altai, and moves in herds of from ten to twenty. Like its Pamir 

 congener the ammon is a difficult animal to stalk, being extremely 

 wary and hard to approach, but when secured the horns constitute 

 a magnificent trophy, and one of the finest that could grace a 

 sportsman's collection. 



379 



