THE NILGIRI IBEX 



It is far better not to attempt to stalk in too 

 close to the game. One hundred yards is quite 

 near enough, and if it be necessary to approach 

 within half of that distance before it becomes visible, 

 the very greatest caution must be exercised, and 

 the sportsman must pay all possible heed to his 

 feet, avoiding the loosening or crushing of a single 

 stone or the breaking of a twig as he walks. Once 

 within range, a bullet well placed, on or behind the 

 shoulder, will bring the animal fired at to bag ; but 

 for humanity's sake long shots should be avoided, 

 as an ibex shot too far back, or with a broken limb, 

 often escapes to perish miserably. 



There is much ibex ground upon the Koondahs, 

 as the higher ranges of the Neilgherries are called, 

 upon the Anaimalais, the Travancore hills, and the 

 Western Ghauts, as well as upon other hill ranges 

 of minor importance in the South of India. 



The Government has, however, commenced 

 granting land for coffee cultivation upon the Anai- 

 malais, so that in course of time the ibex upon 

 these fine hills, plentiful though they now are, will 

 -doubtless soon become comparatively scarce. 



This has been their fate upon the Travancore 

 hills, which have of late been much opened up for 

 cultivation. 



The Tamil names for the Neilgherry ibex are 

 Warra-adu and Warri-atu, and sometimes plain 

 Adu (goat). 



291 



