232 UNGULATES. 



while in a north and south direction it embraces the area lying between the main 

 axis of the Himalaya (or a few of the higher ranges to the south) and the Kuen- 

 Lun and Altyn Tagh ranges. 



Structurally the bharal is as much a goat as a sheep, but in the 



absence of a beard and of a strong odour in the rams, as well as in 

 general appearance, it is more like a sheep, and is consequently placed in the same 

 genus. It exhibits, however, a marked difference from other species of the same 

 general size in refusing to breed with domestic sheep ; and its relationship to the 

 goats is so strong that, were it not for convenience, there are considerable grounds 

 for including both sheep and goats in a single genus. 



In conformity with its structure, the bharal, as Mr. Blanford 



remarks, is intermediate in its habits between the sheep and the 

 goats. Like the former it is found on undulating ground, and frequently lies down 

 during the day on its feeding-ground, though generally amongst stones ; but, like 

 the latter, it is a splendid climber, perfectly at home on precipitous cliffs, and wont, 

 when alarmed, to take refuge in ground inaccessible to man. It is found in herds 

 of from eight or ten to fifty or even a hundred ; the males and females being 

 generally found apart in the summer, but frequently associating together at all 

 seasons. The herds keep to high open ground above forest and never even enter 

 bush. They feed and rest alternately during the day. Owing to their colour it is 

 peculiarly difficult to make them out when they are lying down amongst stones." 

 It appears that these animals are never found below an elevation of ten thousand 

 feet above the sea-level, while in summer they range up to fourteen thousand and 

 sixteen thousand feet. Bharal are by no means difficult of approach in districts 

 where they have not been much disturbed, and on one occasion in Ladak the 

 present writer came suddenly upon a flock of five rams lying asleep in an un- 

 frequented path. They are generally well represented in the Gardens of the 

 London Zoological Society, where they have bred freely. 



THE BARBARY SHEEP (Ovis tragelaphus). 



The Barbary, or maned sheep, which is the only wild representative of the 

 group met with in Africa, while agreeing with the bharal in the general character 

 of its horns and skull, is distinguished by the great mass of long hair clothing the 

 throat, chest, and fore-limbs, and likewise by the great length of the thickly- 

 haired tail, which reaches slightly below the hocks. Although commonly referred 

 to in works of natural history under the name of aoudad, it does not appear that 

 this title is recognised by the inhabitants of its native country, to whom this sheep 

 is known as the arui. 



The Barbary sheep attains a height of rather over 3 feet, and is of a nearly 

 uniform pale rufous yellow colour, with the individual hairs differently coloured in 

 different parts of their lengths. The females are distinguished from the males by 

 the much shorter hair on the fore-quarters, but have horns nearly or quite 

 so long. The horns do not generally exceed 25 inches in length, but may reach 

 26 or a little more, and although finely wrinkled in the young are nearly 

 smooth in the adult. 



