MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 1325 



for even if driven from his own herd — an unlikely supposition — he is 

 sufficiently powerful to find other herds in which he can hold undisputed 

 away. But 1 would nob be held to dogmatise on a subject of which we know 

 very little. I state my theory for what it may be worth, in the hope that 

 some observer with more knowledge of the subject than I can lay claim to 

 will be able to throw more light on this very interesting question. While no 

 one can account for the vagaries of individuals even in the animal world, 

 it will, I think, be admitted as a general rule that for wild animals to 

 consort with tame is an unnatural state forced on them by circumstances 

 beyond their control, and that no animal having access to its kind is at 

 all likely to seek an artiicial existance even for a short period. 



Malakand, 20th August 1912. G. P. EVANS, Major, 



XIX Punjabis. 



No. IX.— HABITS OF THE KASHMIR STAG {CERVUS 

 KASHMIRIENSIS) IN SUMMER. 



The comparatively high altitudes to which the Kashmir Stag ascends in 

 summer has probably attracted little attention, interest in this animal 

 being, as a rule, confined to the shooting season when it descends, and 

 keeps mainly to the forest levels. This year I frequently saw 'Barasing' 

 (so called) and their numerous tracks on a hill top, 14,000', and on 

 one occasion obseri'ed a herd of about 16 hinds at 14,000' and still 

 climbing by a track which would take them to the water shed 15,000' and 

 over, and for which I have little doubt they were making. These high 

 ascents, far above forest levels, are made in the mornings, and are 

 generally for the purpose, besides grazing, of indulging in a midday siesta 

 at some elevated spot where fancied security from enemies may be 

 obtained. 



The unwariness of a big stag met with one day afforded me what must 

 be- a rare, if not unique, experience. On a hillside at 13,500' the sudden 

 appearance of what, at first sight, looked like a great caribou head, over 

 a snow field above me caused me considerable astonishment. But re- 

 alizing that caribous do not exist in the Himalayas, and that it was a big 

 stag in velvet, 1 had to deal with, I stood and watched, and saw the 

 ' head ' slowly sink behind the snow again. Feeling sure that the owner 

 thereof had settled do»vn to rest I decided to stalk him. The only route 

 lay to windward and a fresh breeze was bloiving across the hill. Notwith- 

 standing I managed to reach unobserved and unwinded a small mound 

 behind which 1 suspected he was lying. Creeping up and peeping cautiously 

 over, there, sure enough, lay the great beast — a true ' monarch of the glen ' 

 fast asleep and only 16 yards (paced) away. Luckily my terrier, who was 

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