BIG GAME SHOOTING OF KASHMIR. ~ $39 
the bivouack, If they came into the ravine below, they would get the wind, as 
the morning was not yet sufliciently advanced for the change of the current to 
set upwards. Apparently only a portion of the flock had topped the edge for 
they lingered about and at times one or two went back on the side from which 
they came. 
The temperature was very low on the shady side of the ravine, very different 
from the mid-day heat in the main valley below. The sides of the small stream 
showed thin ice. 
The sheep stayed until the sun shone on the spur but after a short while 
they cleared off returning from whence they had come. 
If the stalk was to be made by moving to the ridge where the rams were last 
seen and they had moved upwards, there was no chance of success; if they had 
gone downwards, there was a fair chance but probably the ravine was open 
ground and stalking even from above impossible. 
Luck was kind, the place where the rams had last been seen was reached and 
by dint of crawling across the ridge towards a smal! indentation, cover was 
found. This cutting made by the melting snow was painfully narrow, and 
was lined with rough stones. The cover afforded by the sides of the small 
ravine could only be of use fora few hundred yards as it merged into shale, 
after which the open hill slope would be reached. 
When near the end of this ravine or cutting a halt was made, by crawling 
slowly upwards for a few yards on the shale, the main hill slope could be seen. 
Standing on this slope the white neck of a ram showed up very plainly. Here and 
there were others all evidently alarmed, doubtless the descent of only a few yards 
in the shale had made a noise and the game was on the alert. The nearest ram 
was looking upwards, suspecting danger from above. There was no time to be 
lost. Itis not easy to be speedy on a slope which will not give a foothold, but 
somehow the top was reached. The ram turned and stared long enough to give 
a very easy shot to which he dropped stone dead. 
The rest of the herd ran wildly downwards. One fell evidently hit far back 
in the spine. He stayed crumpled up for a second or two, and then rolled over 
and over down hill and was found in the valley below in the evening. 
The stalk had taken 10 hours, so the camp was sent for, a two-day halt 
ordered, during which the rams were weighed and measured and the skins, etc., 
cleaned. 
The horns of the first ram shot were 39” only, but were absolutely perfect in 
shape; the second was larger, but badly broken, an old heavy animal, whole 
dimensions of which will be given in the Natural History notes. 
What a lucky stalk! To arrive within shot of the -game that had not been 
seen since the previous day was luck indeed! After this stalk, the country 
was searched for a big head with unbroken points, but not a single one could be 
found, which could be guessed at over 40” to 42”, so they were left in peace. 
A fine old ram with a broken leg was met with on almost flat ground. He 
had evidently hada bad time, and ought to have been tired of life, so he was 
shot. 
Shortly after firmg, a few Tartars appeared on the scene. By means of an 
‘interpreter, it was ascertained they came from Rudok, they expressed an 
earnest wish that a return to within Kashmir boundaries should be made. 
This was promised. The Tartars gorged on the emaciated ram’s flesh, and peace 
reigned. That Transfontier trip was over, not a bad thing, for every one was 
tired and there was a longing for the green hill sides of the “‘ Happy Vale.” 
No. 344.—Tur Great Pamir SHEEP (Ovis ammon poli). 
The Ovis poli has its habitat far from the hunting ground of the sportsmen 
who visit Kashmir and is found only in the adjacent “ Hill Provinces,” __ 
