THE BHARAL OR BLUE SHEEP 



385 



Head of Bharal. 



The BHARAL or BLUE SHEEP (Ovis nahura). 

 (Or Pseudois nahura.) 



With horns not unlike those of the East Caucasian tur, the bharal 

 or blue sheep of Tibet differs from the goats by the absence of a 

 beard and a strong odour in the males, and on account of these and 

 other points of difference from the goats is placed among the sheep, of 

 which group it forms a very aberrant member. The most distinctive 

 external features are the comparatively smooth and olive-coloured horns, 

 which curve at first outwards and then backwards from the sides of 

 the head, and the bluish-grey colour of the thick fur of the back and 

 sides, the flanks, under parts, and legs being handsomely marked with 

 black and white. Height at shoulder about 36 inches ; weight about 

 130 Ibs. In the complete absence of glands on the face, and probably 

 between the hoofs, the bharal differs from the more typical sheep and 

 resembles the goats. 



Distribution. From Hunza, and Shigar, in Baltistan, and near Sanju, 

 south-east of Yarkand, to Moupin, in Eastern Tibet, and from the 

 main axis of the Himalaya, or locally some distance south of the 

 same, to the Kuenluen and Altyn Tag ; in summer usually met 

 with at elevations between 1 4,000 and 1 6,000 feet, and apparently 

 never found below about 10,000 feet. 



2 c 



