CHAPTER XXV. 



THE T A H R. 



Capra Jemlaica. 



In Garhwal and Kamaon — Tdhr ; (The male)/«/«. In Kashmir — Jagld. In Kishtwar — 

 Krds. In Chamba and Pangi — Kart. In Nipal — Jhardl. 



THIS wild goat is one of the most widely distributed of the Himalayan Large Game, 

 being found in suitable ground along the whole range from Kashmir to Bhutan. 



It has been classed by some naturalists in a separate genus (Hemitragus), together with 

 the nearly allied Neilgherry wild goat, which has been misnamed an Ibex by Madras sports- 

 men. The best authorities, however, do not consider it necessary to separate either species 

 from the true goats. 



The Tahr is common in the Pi'r Panjal range to the south of Kashmir, and I have 

 known an instance of one being shot in the north-west corner of that valley, a few miles 

 from Islamabad. It abounds throughout Kishtwar and Chamba, and in the upper valleys of 

 the Chenab, Ravi, Beds, Sutlej, Jumna and Ganges and their numerous tributaries. 



The Tahr is a fine looking beast, although his horns are small, and he cannot compare 

 with his majestic relatives, the Ibex and the Markhoor. The male is about the same size as 

 the Ibex, but rather more heavily made. The general color is a reddish brown deepening 

 into a much darker tint on the hind quarters ; but individuals vary a good deal, and I have 

 shot one which was of a yellowish white. The face is covered with smooth short hair, and is 

 nearly black : the hair of the body is long and coarse, attaining its greatest length on the 

 neck, chest, and shoulders, where it forms a fine flowing mane reaching below the animal's 

 knees. 



The horns are curious, being triangular, with the sharp edge to the front : they are very 

 thick at the base, much compressed laterally, and taper rapidly to a fine point, curving right 

 back on to the neck. The largest horns attain a length of about fifteen inches, and are ten 

 or eleven inches in circumference at the base. 



The female Tahr is very much smaller than the male, the hair is short, and the horns 

 diminutive. The color is a lightish red, with a dark stripe down the back. 



The Tahr is, like the Markhoor, a forest loving animal, and although it sometimes resorts 

 to the rocky summits of the hills, it generally prefers the steep slopes which are more or less 



