THE BURRELL. 16$ 



by the Tartars, B., who wanted a good head, walked across the boulders at the bottom of the 

 ravine in full view of the Burrell, who allowed him to approach within eighty yards without 

 betraying any symptoms of alarm ! B. then quietly sat down and shot the largest one, upon 

 which the others made off. 



The same day our hiding place was discovered by the Tartars, who ordered us back ; and 

 though we forced our way ' vi et armis ' for another march of thirty-five miles, we were after 

 all compelled to abandon our project of reaching the Yak ground. The people turned out in 

 hundreds ; several big wigs came down from Gartope ; and although we used every argument 

 including threats and bribes, we could not obtain permission even for a few days' shooting, 

 and had, most unwillingly, to retrace our steps. 



There are few animals so difficult to detect as Burrell, when they are lying down on 

 rocky ground : their color exactly harmonizes with the hue of the grey boulders and masses 

 of shale which cover the hill-sides in their favorite haunts, and the keenest-eyed Shikari will 

 frequently fail to discover a herd until some movement betrays their presence. I have indeed 

 occasionally met Thibetans with telescopic powers of vision, who could see Burrell lying 

 down at immense distances, when I could hardly make them out even with a powerful glass, 

 after the spot where they lay was pointed out to me. 



In out of the way places, Burrell will lie down on their feeding grounds ; and as they 

 alternately feed and rest throughout the day, and never resort to cover, they may be found 

 and stalked at all hours. This renders the sport peculiarly attractive; as in the pursuit of most 

 other animals it is useless to work except early in the morning and again in the evening, and 

 thus many hours of the long summer days have to be spent in enforced idleness. 



To be successful in Burrell-shooting, the sportsman should be a first-rate walker, able to 

 toil from morning till night with but little rest, and undeterred by the highest and steepest of 

 hills from following up his game. 



An old Burrell's head is a trophy worth working for ; and the meat is excellent, the 

 flavor being a happy combination of Highland mutton and venison. Late in the year, 

 Burrell become extremely fat, and a haunch is then hardly to be surpassed for tenderness, 

 juiciness, and flavor. 



I have few pleasanter recollections than those connected with Burrell-shooting, and I often 

 long to revisit the scenes of many a good day's sport. How vividly I can recall to memory 

 many a remote camping ground, where, by the margin of some clear trickling stream, my 

 tent has been pitched on short green turf in the heart of wild rugged mountains. There, in 

 the most bracing and exhilarating atmosphere in the world, I have been awoke at early dawn 

 by the plaintive whistle of the Snow Cock from the barren cliffs, and on looking out from my 

 tent door have seen the snow-clad summits of many a lofty peak catch the first rays of the 

 sun ; each in succession being tinged with the rosy light, which gradually creeps downwards 

 until the lower slopes and valleys at length become illuminated, and the frost-bound springs 

 released from their icy fetters. 



It is on such mornings that the Burrell may be seen on the grassy slopes, enjoying the 

 comparative warmth, and so busily occupied in grazing, that they somewhat relax the vigilance 



