SEROW 155 



rather small, with a small but prominent gland 

 beneath. The hoofs are about the same size as 

 those of a red deer, but considerably more splayed. 

 The short black horns are curved, ringed at the base 

 and as sharp as needles. 



Serow are said to be dangerous animals when 

 cornered, and in " Adventure, Sport and Travel on 

 the Tibetan Steppes " Mr. Fergusson mentions a 

 Chinaman who was killed by one. Speaking 

 generally, he is a handsomely coloured beast, a 

 clumsy-looking mover and a first-rate climber. 



The hunters collected a scratch pack, for to hunt 

 the animal with dogs provides the best chance of 

 getting a shot. They were a motley collection. 

 There was a little black and white bitch of a 

 friendly disposition, with a pretty taste in food ; 

 a persistent black female, the best huntress of the 

 lot ; a wolf-like yellow dog with a broad head and 

 a wicked eye ; a sad-looking white beast with a 

 pink nose ; and a fat old grey brute who did 

 absolutely nothing except eat any pheasants we 

 happened to shoot for the pot. They were all tail- 

 less, and at night they howled as if their hearts 

 would break. 



Serow inhabit thick fir woods which clothe the 

 northern slopes of the ridges south of the Tao 

 River. They feed on the grassy southern sides 

 during the early morning and retire early into the 

 recesses of the forest. I was posted on a hill-top, 

 while George commanded a wild corrie, a fir wood 

 at his back, a steep precipice on one side and a 

 frowning range of cliff, scattered with firs, larches 

 and undergrowth opposite. When chased with 

 dogs the serow, if it plays the game, makes for a 



