INDIAN SHOOTING 303 



Ovis Vignei Ovis cycloceros 



Horn rather compressed Much compressed laterally. 



laterally. 



Rounded posteriorly. Much compressed posteriorly. 



Curving outward and backward. ; Curving outward and inward. 

 Points divergent. Points convergent. 



General colour, brownish grey. General colour, rufous brown, 



with blotch on flanks, and 

 lateral line blackish. 

 Beard short, of stiffish brown Beard profuse, reaching to 

 hairs. knees, black intermixed with 



white hairs. 



The two varieties are much of the same size, but are entirely 

 different in colour and habits. The horns of the shapoo are 

 generally more massive than those of Ovis cycloceros, but the 

 horns of both so vary in type and so closely resemble those 

 of Ovis Gmelini from Asia Minor, that it is almost impossible, 

 except for a highly trained scientific eye, to decide from this 

 point alone to which of the three varieties a specimen belongs. 

 Shapoo seem only to be found in the valley of the Indus, from 

 a few miles above Leh down to the junction of the Astor river, 

 How far below that they extend the inhabitants of Chilas only 

 know, and they are not famed for hospitality or for com- 

 municating their knowledge. There appears to be a gap in 

 the continuity of the species about Shigar and Rondu, which 

 separates the shapoo from the oorin. The writer has never 

 heard of shapoo being obtained there, and it would be interest- 

 ing to know how far below Leh they are found. Shapoo seem 

 to be very fond of wild thyme, which almost invariably grows 

 plentifully on the ground they frequent. The venison is inferior 

 to that of either Ovis Ammon or burrel. 



The ram shapoo is a very game-looking beast, and the 

 horns, standing well out from his head, show off to great 

 advantage ; but there is not an animal in the whole of the 

 Himalayas so vexatious to hunt. Markhor are bad enough in 



