310 MAMMALIA. 



of the chain of the Himalayas, the Musk Deer may be found upon 

 every hUl of an elevation above 8,000 feet which is clothed with 

 forest. On the lower ranges it is comparatively a rare animal, 

 being confined to near the summits of the highest hills, as we 

 approach the colder forests near the snow ; but it is nowhere 

 particularly numerous, and its retired and solitary habits make 

 it appear still more rare than it really is. Exclusively a forest 

 animal, it inhabits all kinds of forests indiscriminately, from the 

 oaks of the lower hUls to the stunted bushes near the limits of 

 vegetation. If we may judge from their numbers, the preference 

 seems to be given to the birch forests, where the underwood 

 consists chiefly of the white rhododendron and juniper. 



" In many respects they are not unlike Hares in habits and 

 economy. Each individual selects some particular spot for its 

 favourite retreat, about which it remains still and at rest through- 

 out the day, leaving it in the evening to search for food, or 

 wander about, returning soon after daylight. They will occa- 

 sionally rest for the day in any place where they may happen 

 to be in the morning, but in general they return to near the , 

 same spot almost every daj'', making forms in different quarters 

 of their retreat a little distance from each other, and visiting 

 them in turn. Sometimes they will lie under the same tree or 

 bush for weeks together. They make forms in the same manner 

 as Hares, levelling with their feet a spot large enough for the 

 purpose, if the ground is too sloping. They seldom, if ever, lie 

 in the sun, even in the coldest weather, and their forms are 

 always made where there is something to shelter them from its 

 rays. Towards evening they begin to move, and during the 

 night appear to wander about a good deal, from top to bottom of 

 the hill, or from one side to another. In the day they are seldom 

 seen moving about. Their noctiu'nal rambles are apparently as 

 much for recreation as in search of food, as they often visit 

 regularly some steep ledge of rock or precipice, where there is 

 little or no vegetation. The mountaineers believe that they come 

 to such places to play and dance with each other, and often set 

 their snares along the edge of such a ledge or precipice, in 

 preference to the forest. 



" If not walking leisurely and slowly along, the Musk Deer 

 always goes in bounds, all fours leaving and alighting on the 



