526 



ing and descending in accordance with the season. Its summer 

 and winter coat vary a good deal, — the peshmena in winter, as in 

 the Ibex, causing its colour to appear much lighter, while in mid- 

 summer, when this wool has disappeared, it becomes a light-greyish 

 brown. The under parts are white at all seasons. The adult male 

 has all the under surface of the jaws, neck, and chest, covered with 

 long black hair, which reaches as far as the knees in old specimens. 

 The females and young have a short black beard ; and the horns of 

 the former are flat, stumpy, and seldom more than 10 inches in 

 length. The largest male I killed stood 11^ hands at the shoulders ; 

 however, it is but rarely one has had the good fortune to procure 

 such a magnificent specimen of this truly noble-looking animal. 



On the authority of a native sportsman, long accustomed to the 

 habits of the species, I was informed that the Ibex is seldom found 

 on the same ranges with the Markore, and that the two always 

 fight when they meet, — their mode of attack being similar to that of 

 the tame varieties, rearing on their hind legs and striking with the 

 base of the horn on the forehead. It is sometimes seen feeding 

 with the Tare (Hemitrayus jemlaicus). In regard to their eating 

 serpents (as the name implies), natives, although not able to sub- 

 stantiate the assertion from personal experience, allege that it is 

 the commonly received opinion that they do so. 



52. Caprovis vignei (Blyth). 



1 . Hauriar of the Punjab. 



2. Kuch of the Suliman Mountains. 



3. S/uipoo of Ladakh and Tibet. 



Like the Markore, this species inhabits countries differing much 

 in appearance and climate. They are plentiful in Ladakh and on 

 the ranges westward of the Indus, Khyber Pass, and Hindoo Coosh. 

 Suliman and Salt Mountains of the Punjab. Not found on the 

 eastern ranges, and probably not eastward of the Beas river. It is 

 said to abound on the mountains of Persia and Western Afghan- 

 istan. 



There is likewise, as in the last species, considerable diversity in 

 regard to form and size of the horns of specimens from different 

 places, as well as in the size of the animal. This latter, however, 

 may be owing in a great measure to climate. For example, the 

 specimens killed in Ladakh appeared larger than those from the 

 Punjab mountains. The horns of the Ladakh animal had their 

 upper surfaces rounded ; and the tips proceeded more inwards than 

 in any other variety observed. 



In the Punjab it frequents bleak and barren mountains com- 

 posed of low ranges, intersected by ravines and dry river-courses, 

 where vegetation is scanty at all seasons, and goats or sheep are 

 seldom driven to pasture. Usually found in small herds. They 

 are fond of salt, and are generally found most abundant in the 

 neighbourhood of the salt mines. Shy and watchful, is difficult to 

 approach, and possesses in an eminent degree the senses of sight 

 and smell. It is seldom seen in the daytime, being secreted among 



