1901.] A. H.. McMaliou — Notes on Faicna of ChitraL 3 



They are identical with the ibex of the Gilgifc District, but for some 

 reason or other, the average length of the horns is slightly less than of 

 those of the Gilgit ibex. Horns of over 40 inches in length are fewer 

 than in Gilgit, and the largest head obtained is I think not over 45 inches. 



The rutting season begins about the 1st of February and continues 

 for upwards of a month, but in the case of the older males only half that 

 time. 



The young are born in July at an average elevation of 14,000 feet, 

 generally, it is said, in the same nullahs as rutting took place. The 

 females retire into very difficult and inaccessible ground before giving 

 birth. 



Markhor. — (Capra falconeri), These are very numerous in all the 

 lower valleys in Chitral. They are of the Pir Panjal variety {vide 

 fig. 165 of Blanford's Fauna of India. Vol. Mammalia), i.e., with horns 

 handsomely curved, but without the wide exaggerated curve and spread 

 of the variety known as the Astor. [I may note here that the Astor 

 variety is only to be found in the few valleys which join the Indus river 

 on the left bank between Bunji and Chilas, All the markhor elsewhere 

 iu the Gilgit District are of the Pir Panjal variety]. 



A few heads somewhat resembling the Cabul variety (fig. 166 of 

 Blanford's Fauna of India) are also to be found in Chitral. 



The northern limits of markhor in Chitral appear to be :— in the 

 Lutkho valley at a point half-way between Drusp and Shogot ; in the 

 Chitral main valley and valleys joining it on the left bank, at Mori 

 (about 10 miles above Chitral). The southern limits of the Chitral 

 (z.e., Pir Panjal variety) are said to be :: — on the right bank of the Kunar 

 river at Chighar Serai, and on the left bank at Nari (Narsat). 



The largest head as yet obtained in the Chitral District measures 

 56 inches in length of horn. Horns over 50 inches are very rare. - ^ 



In Chitral the rutting season begins about the first week of 

 December, and in Gilgit in about the second or third week of that 

 month. It continues for about a month, but in the case of the older 

 males only about a fortnight. The young in Chitral are born early 

 in June, almost invariably, it is said, in the same tiuUahs where 

 the parents were during the rutting season. The males leave these 

 nullahs for cooler climes about May. The females retire into the 

 highest and most difficult ground they can find in the nullah before 

 giving birth. 



Oorial.—^Ovis viynei). — These are plentiful in the Chitral valley from 

 Keshan downwards. They are of the Ladak variety, known as shapu 

 (Ovis cycloceros)^ and differ from the proper oorial of the Punjab, 

 Afghanistan, Siud and Beluchistan (Ovis viynei) iu having no white ruft" 



