102 THE THIBETAN GAZELLE. 



to again grow forwards at the tips. They are closely ringed, of very fine grain, and sharp 

 pointed. The usual length is from twelve to thirteen inches, but I have shot them a little 

 longer. The female has no horns. 



The Goa inhabit the bleak country which I have already mentioned, the elevation of 

 which varies from 1 3,000 to 1 8,000 feet ; and are to be found scattered about here and there, 

 in small parties, usually varying from two or three to about a dozen in number. In certain 

 localities they are decidedly plentiful, while occasionally an isolated individual or a small 

 herd may be met with, apparently many miles from any others. They are not generally 

 very shy, though they will seldom allow the hunter to openly approach within shot. They 

 seem to be very little frightened by noise, as I have known several instances of their going 

 on grazing after being fired at : it is also said that, unlike most wild animals, they pay little 

 or no attention to human beings passing to windward of them. 



I first saw the Goa in 1861, on the plateau above the Tsomoriri Lake. I was following 

 a Kyang which I had wounded, when, on coming to a ravine, I heard a sharp hiss, and saw 

 two small antelope looking at me. I missed a longish shot at one and they went off, much 

 to my annoyance, as I did not even know what they were, never having heard of the exist- 

 ence of such an animal. 



In 1864, I saw a herd of seven on the top of the Nagpogoding Pass, but they were 

 dreadfully wild, and I never could get within a quarter of a mile of them. 



In 1866, I went to the Tsomoriri Lake and Hanle, the Goa being one of my principal 

 inducements to go there. I was accompanied by my friend B., and on the 2nd of June we 

 pitched our camp at the corner of the lake and ascended the plateau above. We had not 

 cone far before we discovered some animals feeding at a distance, and the telescope showed 

 them to be Goa. We made a most careful stalk, and got within easy shot, but the small size 

 of the animals deceived us in our estimate of distance, and we both missed. Soon after- 

 wards we saw some more Goa, but I again missed a fair chance. We then separated, but I 

 could see nothing for a long time ; at length I caught a glimpse of the heads of two or three 

 Goa just as they were disappearing over a ridge ; I followed them, and shot a doe through 

 the body as it was galloping away. A greyhound which I had with me gave chase, and ran 

 into it after a long course. 



The next day I determined to kill a buck, so I ascended the plateau very early in the 

 morning : I soon discovered some Goa at a great distance, but after stalking to within seventy 

 yards, I found that they were all does and young ones. I therefore would not fire at them, 

 but lay watching the graceful little animals with much interest. Before long they caught 

 sight of me, but being unable to make me out distinctly, they advanced towards me, 

 occasionally rising on their hind legs to obtain a better view. I at length rose and showed 

 myself, upon which they made off. 



Farther on, I found some more does, and shortly afterwards three buck, but in a place 

 where they could not be stalked, so I sent a man round to drive them. The drive failed, 

 the Goa going off in the wrong direction, but the man who went after them informed me 

 that he had seen five others, and pointed out the direction in which they had gone. 



