THE TAHR. I 35 



and he stood still and began to scream. I fired another shot or two and hit him again, upon 

 which he began to turn round and round in a most curious way : he then moved behind a 

 rock and stood for some time, but finally went off into the jungle. I followed at best pace, 

 but as he bled very little I was unable to track him. 



To account for losing so many wounded beasts, I must explain that the ground was very 

 rough and jungly ; none of the Shikaris had the remotest idea of tracking ; and heavy rain 

 generally came on shortly after the animals were wounded. It rained nearly every day I was 

 at Mangh'. 



Losing wounded animals is a misfortune which every true sportsman must regret, and 

 although occasionally unavoidable, it is best guarded against by refraining from firing long 

 and uncertain shots. The opportunity of firing off his rifle is a great temptation to a young 

 sportsman ; but he may be more readily induced to withstand it if he will accept my assur- 

 ance that the way to make a good bag is to get near his game, and seldom to fire a doubtful 

 shot. 



In 1882 I shot a few Tahr in the province of Chamba. : it was rather late in the season 

 when I commenced hunting for them, and as the ground had been already disturbed, I was 

 not particularly successful. One morning I was perched on a lofty crag, which commanded 

 an extensive view over most likely looking ground, when my Shikari called my attention 

 to a female Tahr, which, accompanied by a tiny kid, was feeding far below us. I at once 

 directed him to hurry to the spot, and endeavor to capture the young one, while I remained 

 at my post to watch his proceedings. After a long scramble he reached the place, and he 

 had slight difficulty in catching the little animal, which fortunately proved to be a male. I at 

 once procured a milch goat, which the young Tahr quickly took to, and soon followed as if it 

 was its own mother. I took the Tahr to the hill station of Bukloh, where I had a house for 

 the season, and there it throve remarkably well, and eventually became as tame as a dog. 

 Indeed it became rather a nuisance, as it would force its way into the house at meal times, 

 jump on the table, to the imminent risk of glass and crockery, and steal the bread ! I 

 sent it home to the Zoological Gardens, and I believe that it is still flourishing there. As it 

 has two female companions of its own species it is to be hoped that they may breed. 



