THE TAKIN 



349 





Skull and Horns of Takin. From Col. Biddulph's specimen. 



The TAKIN (Budorcas taxicolor). 



Not improbably also akin to the musk-ox, which should perhaps 

 be placed near by, this strange ruminant is almost certainly a relative of 

 the serows. It is heavily built, with stout limbs, large lateral hoofs, a 

 short tail, a convex profile, and an almost completely hairy muzzle. 

 But its most remarkable feature is to be found in the horns, which are 

 large, massive, and bent somewhat after the fashion of those of a gnu, 

 curving at first outwards and somewhat downwards, and then bending 

 abruptly upwards about the middle of their length. Height at 

 shoulder about 3^ feet. Horns are present in both sexes, as in the 

 serows and gorals, those of the female being somewhat smaller than 

 those of the males. 



Distribution. Typically the Mishmi Hills on the northern frontier of 

 Assam, but represented by a local race in Tibet and North- 

 Western China. Although the takin lives within sight of Indian 

 territory, specimens are very rare in collections. 



