16 SINGTJLAE IS'OISE. 



much louder, and it is of common occurrence 

 both by night and day. When aware of 

 anything unusual in its vicinity, which it 

 does not see, it will often keep barking at 

 short intervals, till the cause of its alarm be 

 gone, or being disturbed itself, goes off to 

 another quarter. As it runs a curious 

 rattling noise may often be heard, not unhke 

 two pieces of loose bone knocked sharply 

 together, loud enough to be heard fifty or 

 sixty yards off ; how this singular sound is 

 produced has not yet been discovered. The 

 venison is well tasted in the autumn and up 

 to midwinter, but is seldom fat. Being 

 easily got at, the Himalayan sportsman 

 looks upon the kakur somewhat with indif- 

 ference, except in the absence of larger 

 game ; he often finds it close to his encamp- 

 ment, in the coppices and jungles near 

 villages and road sides, where it is easily 

 stalked, and its bark will often lead its 

 pursuer to his object. Oak forests, where 

 the ground is on a gentle slope, and the 

 trees not too crowded, are its favourite 



