THE SPIRAL-HORNED MARKHOOR. 1 37 



The habits of the two races also differ considerably, but that may be owing to local and 

 climatic influences ; the spiral-horned species for the most part inhabiting lofty pine-clad 

 mountains, whose summits are generally covered with snow ; while the straight-horned have 

 their home among barren and rocky hills of trifling elevation, where the heat during the 

 summer months is frequently intense. 



I have only shot the Kashmir and Sheikh Budi'n Markhoor, and I will allot a separate 

 chapter to each. I have only once marched through Astor, and had no time for shooting. 

 I spent the summer of 1879 at. Landi Kotal, which was then our advanced post in the 

 Khaibar : I heard much about Markhoor in the neighbouring hills — where indeed they were 

 occasionally seen by our reconnoitring parties — and I was making arrangements to hunt for 

 them when Cavagnari's murder led to the resumption of hostilities. 



I have, however, seen many specimens of all four varieties, so my opinion is formed from 

 actual observation and not from hearsay. 



The Persian name ' Mdr-khilr' signifies Snake-eater : Shikaris all declare that Markhoor 

 do eat snakes, which abound on the hills where this wild goat is found, and I see no reason 

 to doubt the fact. 



Having given my reasons for separating the Markhoor, and leaving the question as to 

 whether I am correct or not to be settled by more scientific observers, I will proceed to 

 describe the Kashmir variety. 



As has been truly said, the Markhoor is the very beau ideal of a wild goat. Standing 

 nearly forty -four inches at the shoulder, his flowing black beard, and long shaggy mane, falling 

 from his neck and shoulders to his knees, give him a most imposing appearance ; and as he 

 stands to gaze on some jutting rock on the face of a rugged precipice overhung by dark pine 

 trees, no sportsman nor lover of nature can fail to be struck with admiration at his noble 

 bearing. 



The general color of the body is a dirty bluish white, in the winter coat, but when this 

 is shed, it is replaced by a shorter coat of a dark roan. The horns, as has been already 

 mentioned, are long and massive, and at a distance an old male looks as if he bore two 

 young withered pine trees on his head. 



He is powerfully and compactly made, and in spite of his weight he has perhaps no 

 equal in traversing difficult and dangerous ground. I know of no animal whose pursuit 

 habitually entails so much difficult climbing, and to be successful one must occasionally 

 venture into places where no less inducement would tempt one to run the risk. 



Old male Markhoor are extremely difficult to find, especially where they have been 

 frequently disturbed. Unlike the Ibex, which keeps to the rugged crags and steep ravines 

 above the limit of the forest, the Markhoor delights in rocky forests, and although it occa- 

 sionally comes out into the open glades, it seeks concealment as much as possible. 



To hunt the Markhoor with success, the sportsman must exercise great patience, and 

 more may usually be done by taking up a position which commands a good view of the 

 favorite feeding grounds, than by walking for hours through the forests. 



If Markhoor are in the neighbourhood (which can be ascertained by the tracks) they 



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