515 



from shikarees and natives resident on the mountains, it appears 

 there is considerable variety in the colour of this species, or that 

 these discrepancies relate to different species. The Cuon primcevus 

 is bold and ferocious ; natives say there are few of the larger qua- 

 drupeds they will not attack, and that Ibex, Deer, Burrel, &c, are 

 frequently killed by them. 



Note. — In a collection of skins brought from the Kara Korum 

 Mountains in the north of Ladakh by my friend Lieutenant Pey- 

 ton, 87th Regiment, I saw that of a Wiid Dog, probably a new 

 species. The skin was imperfect ; and, judging from its length, it 

 appeared the animal was about the size of the Ram hun ; nose 

 pointed, hair long and thick, containing much of the under-wool 

 called peshm ; prevailing colour white, with splashes of black on 

 the back and hips ; tail short, somewhat bushy, with the tips of the 

 hairs black. I was informed they are frequently found near the 

 dwellings of the natives, and that they prey on Caprovis argali, 

 Nahoor, and Tibet Antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii). This may 

 be a species of Wolf; anyhow its existence in Ladakh is very likely 

 unknown, nor have I been enabled to discover any species approach- 

 ing its description on any part of the Western Himalayas. The 

 Pariah Dog is often forced to depend entirely on its own exertions, 

 and wanders over large tracts of country in the plains of India ; but 

 I have not known it do so on the Western Himalayas. 



13. Canis familiaris, Linn. 



a. A domestic variety, resembling in every particular the Shep- 

 herds' Dog or Colly, is generally distributed over the western 

 ranges, particularly in Cashmere. 



b. A large and formidable breed, of a similar appearance to the 

 last, is raised in the district of Chamba on the Himalayas ; but, 

 like many other varieties of hill animals, they pine away and die 

 when brought to the plains of India. 



14. Canis aureus, Linn. 



Geeder of the natives. 



Abundant all over India, Punjab, and lower Himalayan Ranges, 

 including the Yale of Cashmere. In the latter situation, they ap- 

 pear to thrive better and grow to a larger size than anywhere in the 

 plains. There is great reason for thinking it frequently breeds 

 with the Pariah Dog, as I have met with individuals of the latter so 

 like the Jackal, that there was not the slightest point of difference 

 in appearance and habits. 



15. Canis lupus, Linn. 



Seen occasionally among the ravines of the Punjab, but does not 

 frequent the Himalayas. 



16. VuLPES BENGALENSIS (Shaw?). 



Deccan ; Scinde (perhaps the Punjab ?). 



