224 BIG GAME SHOOTING 



From the amount of slaughter ounces effect among ibex, it 

 is probable that they hunt in pairs. In 1874 a sportsman in 

 Pangi found a flock of five or six male ibex lying dead within a 

 few yards of each other, killed by ounces ; he had seen this 

 particular flock some days before, had either disturbed them or 

 was unable to get at them, and had given them a few days' rest 

 to settle down in. When he did go after them he found that 

 they had all been slaughtered. 



IX. THE THIBETAN LYNX (Felis Isabellina) 

 Thibetan, ' Ee ' 



This beautiful animal is very rarely met with, but as the 

 Tartars know it well by name, it is possible that it may be 

 more plentiful than is commonly supposed ; its nocturnal 

 habits, as in the case of the ounce, shielding it from observa- 

 tion. The Tartars aver that it frequently kills sheep and 

 goats ; but though the lynx is quite powerful enough to do so, 

 it is probable that the natives occasionally confound the lynx 

 with the ounce. The lynx stands about 1 7 ins. at the shoulder, 

 and is of enormously powerful make, with teeth and claws large 

 enough for an animal of twice its size. 



The Thibetan lynx has the orthodox prominent whiskers 

 which are absent in the red lynx of the plains, but it differs 

 from the European variety in the pads of its feet being pro- 

 minent and bare, with short close fur between them, whereas 

 in the European lynx the long fur completely conceals the 

 pads. 



The red lynx, Felis caracal, called by natives 'Siagosh,' 

 is occasionally met with all over India. It is not common 

 anywhere, or at least, possibly owing to its nocturnal habits, 

 it is not often shot. A few are known to have been shot in 

 Central India. It preys chiefly on hares, birds, and small deer. 

 Sterndale gives the following measurements : Head and body, 

 26 to 30 ins. : tail, 9 or 10 ins. ; height, 16 to 18 ins. 



