28i CkTumx. 



The Sekow ok Forest Goat. 



Descr. — Above black more or less grizzled and mixed on the flanks with 

 deep clay color ; a black dorsal stripe ; forearms and thighs anteriorly red- 

 dish-brown ; the rest of the limbs hoary ; beneath whitish. 



The hair is rather scanty except on the neck, on which there is a thick 

 mane, harsh and rough ; the horns are seated posterior to the orbits, but 

 below the crest of the frontals, stout, roundish, ringed more than half way, 

 tapering, much curved backwards, slightly divergent, with the points inclin- 

 ing outwards ; average length about 10 inches, but they are said to reach 

 14 occasionally. 



Length of male about 5 feet to 5^ ; height at shoulder about 3 feet 2 

 inches. Weight about 200 fts. 



Colonel Markham says that the Serow is something in appearance 

 beiW3en a jackass and a Tahir {Hemitragus jemlaica), with long stout 

 legs, and a strong neck. Hodgson states that its back is straight, with the 

 withers higher than the croup, stout rigid limbs, high hoofs and callous 

 knees. By its structure it is well fitted for climbing, but not for leaping. 



It inhabits the precipitous wooded mountains of the central ranges of 

 the Himalayas, from Kashmir to Sikim. It is almost always found in 

 the forests from 6,000 to 12,000 feet, and is solitary in its habits, and 

 awkward in its gait. It rushes down the steepest declivities with fearful 

 rapidity, but is not in general speedy, and does not spring well. 



Colonel Markham states that it is not very common, keeps to thickly 

 wooded ravines, and forests in steep and rocky ground, and is very tena- 

 cious of life. It is very bold and will keep the wild dog at bay, and has 

 been known to kill three or four of them. Its flesh is coarse. 



Adams calls it a stupid animal, and says that unless wounded it is some- 

 times not scared by the report of a rifle. 



Those that I have met with were always alone, in thick forest, and 

 when approached unawares, dashed off down hill in a most reckless manner. 

 They are stated to rut in February and March, and the female brings 

 forth one kid in September or October, but Adams says that in the north- 

 west the female has her young in May or June. 



AemorhcBdus rubida, Blyth, inhabits the mountains of Arrakan. It is 

 " of a rpd brown color with a black dorsal hst, the hair shorter than the 

 others." N. sumatrensis is found in Sumatra, and the Malayan peninsula 



