MUSK OXEN IN CAPTIVITY. 605 



g-en," Unfortunatel}' the two last are both males; it is, however, not 

 impossible that the attempt may succeed that is being- made at Copen- 

 hagen to cross the musk ox with the somewhat nearly allied yak of 

 Tibet. AVith his usual kindness and interest in scientific matters Carl 

 Hagenbeck has ptaced at our disposal tw^o small, hornless yak cows. 



Our readers will find herewith a reproduction of a photograph of 

 the smaller of these cow^s, which is hardly as large as the musk ox. 

 Near by stands a white calf, which was 14 days old and was Ijorn from 

 another white and somewhat larger cow. Lydekker (Royal Natural 

 Histoi-y, vol. II, p. 188) sa3^s that this hornless, dwarf race has arisen 

 by crossing with the ordinar}^ Indian cattle (dwarf zebu?). Yet noth- 

 ing in the structure of this animal indicates a hybrid. Hornless, 

 dwarf races of domestic cattle are indeed quite common. At the same 

 time there will be placed with the musk ox a giant Frisian sheep, and 

 then we shall see to which species he gives the preference. As regards 

 the musk ox himself our pictures will sufiiciently show how^ excellently 

 he has developed. The first autumn (1900) was very rainy and there- 

 fore very unfavorable for him. He was uncomfortable and damp in 

 his inclosure and could not njove about sufiiciently. As rheumatism 

 began to afiect his legs, he was removed to another pen, made to move 

 about dail}% and later walked about freely in the snow-covered garden 

 ever}" day.* 



As in the spring of 1901 his horns began to grow and his disposi- 

 tion became less friendly, he was placed in a spacious inclosure situated 

 on a northerl}' slope. There an open veranda was built to his stall, 

 and with this he was obliged to content himself in rainy weather. 

 As all gregarious animals need society he w^as provided with compan- 

 ions. After unsuccessful attempts with Shetland ponies and a bufl'alo 

 calf, he was given a chamois and an old goat. To the latter he soon 

 showed a great liking, a sentiment that has continued since that time. 

 The chamois likewise made court to the goat, and this rivalry, together 

 with daily squabbles at the feeding trough, made the musk ox and the 

 chamois sworn enemies. This enmity has grown greater and greater 

 and has had the most favorable effect upon the welfare of the musk 

 ox. In order to follow and fight his quick-footed enemy he has to 

 run, and therein* gets the necessary daily exercise. The chamois as 

 a rule attacks, like a robber, from behind. In this wa}' he succeeded 

 in the autumn of 1901 in butting his enemy, infiicting a l)loody wound 

 upon his hind leg. As a punishment both of the horns of the chamois 

 were tipped with sheaths, which, however, have now become unneces- 



« Besides these there were brought into Tromso, since the 26th of August, 1903, 

 l)y a Norwegian hunter, 5 more calves of 1903—1 male and 4 females— which are at 

 present (September 23) thriving well, but are held at a high price. See also the 

 l)Ostscript at the end of this article. 



''See Der Zoologische Garten, 1901, p. 1()() et seq. 



