182 UNGULATES. 
of Europe was probably white mixed with reddish brown; and the fact that the 
calves of all the three species of the present group are reddish brown points to the 
conclusion that this was the ancestral coloration. Now the fact that the female 
banting permanently retains this ancestral coloration, which is transient in the 
gaur and gayal, indicates that the present species is a less specialised form than 
either of the other two; the dark colour being acquired only in the male sex. 
SSSs 

& N 
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SSN 
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Z 
~ CY 
hy 
SS 
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THE BANTING (4 nat. size). 
This is confirmed by the structure of the banting, which departs less widely from 
that of the typical oxen than is the case with the other two species of this group. 
Although the accounts of the habits of the banting are not very 
full, yet it appears that in these respects this animal is very similar 
to the gaur. Mr. Blanford suggests, however, that from its relatively longer legs 
the banting is less addicted to climbing among rocky hills than are either of the 
other members of the group, and that it is accordingly more restricted to the plains 
of tall grass. The domesticated race breeds freely with the Indian humped cattle. 
Habits. 
