1881.] DR. J. SCULLY ON THE MAMMALS OF GILGIT. 209 



30. Capra falconeri, Hiigel. 



Capra falconeri, Wagner, Miinch. gelehrte Anzeigen, ix. 1839, 

 p. 430. 



This species is very common in the Astor valley and tlie Gilgit 

 district, usually keeping close to the forest-region, but descending in 

 the depth of winter as low as 5000 feet. It changes its quarters a 

 good deal according to season, and as a rule is not to be found in 

 those portions of the hills where the lowest valleys are higher than 

 8000 feet. It frequents most difficult ground, moves easily over 

 very steep rocky hill-sides, and far excels the Himalayan Ibex in 

 agility. The Gilgit Markhor is typical C. falconeri, the horns 

 having a very open spiral curve, but, of course, varying a little. A 

 specimen from Gilgit in Major Biddulph's collection has the horns 

 with quite as open a spiral as is shown in the figure of Hiigel's type 

 of C. falconeri. The Suliman Markhor {Capra megaceros of 

 Button) is apparently a separate form. 



31. Ovis POLi, Blyth. 



Ovis poll, Blyth, P. Z. S. 1840, p. 62; Biddulph, Proc. Asiat. 

 Soc. Bengal, 1879, p. 280. 



This fine Sheep is found in the northern part of Hunza, on the 

 Shimshal Pamir. Judging from the number of heads sent in to 

 Gilgit, this animal must inhabit Hunza in great numbers. The 

 occurrence of this species south of the Mustagh range and the water- 

 shed of the Indus is a matter of great interest ; it must now be 

 included in the list of Mammals of British India as commonly 

 understood. 



32. Ovis vignii, Blyth. 



Ovis vignei, Blyth, P. Z. S. 1840, p. 70. 



This Sheep is found in great numbers in the Gilgit district and 

 the Astor valley. It frequents the bare hill-sides below the forests, 

 and barren stony ground at the foot of the hills as low as 4500 feet. 

 Large herds are frequently seen ; but, owing to the open ground 

 they frequent, it is very difficult to stalk them successfully. They 

 wander about much and swim well. 



33. MoscHUS moschiferus, Linn.. 



Moschus moschiferus, Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 91. 



The Musk-Deer occurs in fair numbers in the Gilgit district, and 

 is more common in the Astor valley. Specimens from the vicinity 

 of Gilgit exhibit some variations in colour, such as have often been 

 noted with respect to this species in other parts of the Himalayas. 

 The Musk-Deer is, I believe, not found in Nagar, Hunza, or Yassin, 

 but is common in parts of Chitral. 



Proc. Zool. Soc— 1881, No. XIV. 14 



