BULLET AND SHOT 



partial to precipitous hillsides, well clad with vege- 

 tation, upon which they are very hard to detect, 

 and where, though the grass be of inferior quality, 

 they can still find plenty to eat in almost perfect 

 security so far as any danger at the hands of man 

 is concerned, though, of course, the animals run 

 greater risks from their most destructive foe, the 

 panther, in such situations than when out on the 

 open hills. 



Ibex usually retire to a precipice when they wish 

 to lie down, and are fond of shade for the enjoy- 

 ment of their midday siesta ; but in remote localities 

 they may be found taking their rest upon the open 

 hillsides. 



In colour the adult male is very dark brown, 

 inclining to black, with a lighter patch, or "saddle- 

 mark," on the back. The hair on this saddle-mark 

 grows lighter with age, until, in the case of a 

 very old buck, it becomes nearly grey. The females 

 and young are much lighter in colour. In size, an 

 adult male far surpasses the members of his harem, 

 and he is really a large animal, standing from 41 to 

 42 inches in height at the shoulder, and being, 

 moreover, stoutly and heavily built. He differs 

 from the true ibex, in that he lacks the beard, and 

 long, knotted horns which are characteristic of the 

 latter. 



The record head of a Neilgherry ibex is 17^- 

 inches, but anything over 14 inches is good, 1 5-inch 

 horns being but very rarely bagged in these days. 



It was during my earliest shooting trip upon the 

 Neilgherry Hills that I saw an ibex for the first 



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