CAP^A SIBIBIOA. 293 



and also near the source of the Ganges, where however more rare. It 

 occurs in many other localities on the south side of the great Himalayan 

 chain, and is not restricted, as stated, to the Tibetan slopes of the Hima- 

 layas ; where, however, it is more numerous than in the ranges to the 

 south. It extends through Central Asia to Siberia. 



The Himalayan Ibex is *' agile and graceful in its movements," says 

 Colonel Markham, " and frequents the highest ground near the snows 

 where food is to be obtained. The sexes live apart generally, often in 

 flocks of one hundred and more. In October the males descend and mix 

 with the females, which have generally twins in June and July. It is an 

 exceedingly wary and timid animal, and can make its way in an almost 

 miraculous manner over the most inaccessible looking ground. No animal 

 excels the Ibex in endurance and agility." 



Adams states that many are killed by avalanches, and that they are 

 much preyed on by the panther (i. e., the ounce). He also states that 

 the female has in general only one kid. 



I have only seen the Ibex near Chini in the Sutlej valley. In some of 

 the villages high up the valleys there, many are killed every year during 

 the winter, and their horns may be seen hung up on all the temples. 



Mr. Vigne states that one or two hundred are killed yearly in Balti, in 

 winter, when forced to descend to the valleys. In Ladak they are snared 

 at night, and shot in the gray dawn of the morning when they venture 

 down to the streams to drink. They are killed for the sake of the soft 

 under fleece which, in Kashmir, is called Asali tus. This is used as a 

 lining for shawls, for stockings, gloves, and is woven into the fine cloth 

 called Tusi. No wool is so rich, so soft, and so full. The hair itself is 

 manufactured into coarse blanketing for tents, and twisted into ropes. 



A skin of an Ibex killed in the Balti valley by Major Strutt, R.A., 

 was much darker than any I have seen. Its general color was a rich hair- 

 brown with a yellowish-white saddle on the middle of the back, and a 

 dark mesial line ; the head, neck and limbs were dark rich glossy sepia- 

 brown with a still darker central line on the front of the legs ; the belly was 

 brown grizzled with yellowish- white. Others were seen by Major Strutt 

 in the same locality yet darker. The horns did not appear to differ from 

 those of individuals of the ordinary color. Major Strutt, who has shot 

 many in different parts of the hills, never saw any of the dark race except 

 in Balti. 



Dr. Adams in his list of animals of India and Kashmir, gives Capra 



