CHAPTER XXVIII. 



THE HIMALAYAN IBEX. 



Capra Sibirica. 

 In Kashmir— is*//. In Thibet— Skin. In Pang/ and Lahoul— Tangrol. 



ALTHOUGH the name of Ibex is so familiar, there are few people, not naturalists, who 

 really know what an Ibex is : the name is frequently applied to wild goats which have no 

 resemblance to the real Ibex, of which there are several species inhabiting various parts of 

 Europe, Asia and Africa ; and which, though differing considerably in some respects, form 

 a very marked group. 



The type of the group is the Alpine Ibex or Steinbok {Capra Ibex), now almost extinct 

 in Switzerland, and only found in any numbers in the preserves of the King of Italy. Their 

 pursuit was the favorite sport of that keen hunter Victor Emmanuel. 



Other Ibex are, Capra pyrenaica, the Bouquetin of the Pyrenees ; C. nubiana from 

 Africa ; C. cancasica from the Caucasus and parts of Persia ; C. atgagrns from Persia, Sindh 

 and Biluchistan ; and C. Sibirica from Siberia, Central Asia and the Himalayas. 



All these Ibex have long gracefully curved horns, sweeping back over their quarters, 

 and giving them a majestic appearance. The horns are generally more or less ringed or 

 knotted. 



Contrary to the general belief, the typical Ibex has not even a tuft on his chin, but 

 both the species found in India have long flowing beards. 



The Himalayan Ibex is found in Kashmir, Ladak, Pang/, Lahoul, Baltistan, Zanskar, 

 Spit/, and Koonawur, but is not met with to the south or east of the river Sutlej, nor does 

 it inhabit the extreme southern slopes of the Himalayas, but keeps more in the interior 

 of the range. In Kashmir, for instance, Ibex are numerous on the mountains to the north 

 of the valley, while none are to be found on the P/r Panjal or Kaj-/-Nag ranges. Similarly, 

 in Chamba and Koonawur the sportsman must penetrate some distance into the hills before 

 he has the chance of seeing an Ibex. 



The old male Ibex is indeed a splendid animal, and living as he does amidst the most 

 magnificent scenery in the world, there is a charm in his pursuit which can hardly be rivalled 

 by that of any other animal. 



He is very stoutly made, and attains a height of about ten hands. The general color 

 of the coat is a dark chocolate, with large patches of dirty white, varying a good deal 

 according to the age of the animal. There is a ridge of coarse dark hair along the back, 



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