182 



THE STORY OF THE WILD SHEEP. 



and in otherwise favorable positions, they are quite unapproachable. Occa- 

 sionally wild mouflon will desert their own kin to live among tame sheep; 

 while sometimes also a motherless domestic lamb has been known to seek 

 companionship among a flock of mouflon. 



In conformity with its structure, the bharal of Thibet is intermediate 

 in its habits between the sheep and the goats. Like the former, it is found 



A MOUFLON OF SARDINIA. 



on undulating ground, and frequently lies down during the day on its 

 feeding-ground, though generally amongst stones; but, like the latter, it is 

 a splendid climber, perfectly at home on precipitous cliffs, and when alarmed 

 takes refuge in ground inaccessible to man. It is found in herds of from 

 eight or ten to fifty or even a hundred; the males and females being generally 



