GOATS. 



255 



known in the Western Himalaya, but in Kashmir it is termed kras, while in Nipal 

 it goes by the name of jharal. Quite recently a second smaller species, with only 

 two teats, has been discovered in Arabia ; while a fossil tahr occurs in the rocks 

 of the Siwalik Hills at the foot of the Himalaya. 



In spite of the small size of its horns, the tahr is decidedly a fine- 

 looking animal ; and it is plentifully distributed over many parts of 

 the Himalaya. Although in the Pir Panjal range tahr are often found on the same 

 ground as markhor, in other districts they frequent almost worse ground, and we 



Habits. 



THE HIMALAYAN TAHR (\ nat. size). 



have known many instances where specimens have been completely smashed by 

 falling down precipices after they were killed. After mentioning that the tahr 

 resembles the markhor in its forest-loving habits, General Kinloch observes that 

 "although it sometimes resorts to the rocky summits of the hills, it generally 

 prefers the steep slopes which are more or less clothed with trees. Female tahr 

 may frequently be found on open ground, but old males hide a great deal in the 

 thickest jungle, lying during the heat of the day under the shade of trees or over- 

 hanging rocks. Nearly perpendicular hills with dangerous precipices, where the 

 forest consists of oak and ringal-cane, are the favourite haunts of the old tahr, who 



