1840.] Journal of a trip through Kunawur, fyc. 567 



are not numerous, and are a sadly degenerated breed of the Thibet 

 mastiff (Canis molossus var Thibetanus).* Cats are seldom seen, 

 but are similar to those of the lower hills, being usually of a deep 

 grey with darker narrow transverse bands on the sides. 



In a country so bare of forest scenery, and presenting so little cover, 

 it is not to be wondered at that the wild animals are few in number. 

 The ibex, wild sheep, vulture, eagle, Indian vulture, raven, chough, 

 chicore, bhair, sparrow, snow bunting, some pigeons and Brahminee 

 ducks, were nearly all that were seen or heard of. 



The ibex is known throughout the upper portions of Kunawur and 

 in Tartary, by the name of " Skeen or Sikeen" and appears to be 

 identical with the animal called by Hamilton Smith the " Abyssinian 

 Ibex" or " Capra Jaela." It is found only in the most inaccessible 

 parts of the mountains near the borders of eternal snows, leaping with 

 surprising agility from crag to crag, and bidding defiance to pursuit. 



It is therefore only when the heavy falls of snow on the heights 

 where they love to range have driven them down for pasture to the 

 lower and more accessible parts on the borders of the forests, or in the 

 shelter of the glens, that they fall a prey to the wary hunter, who 

 stealing on them with noiseless tread, fires on the herd from behind 

 the shelter of some ledge that screens him from their sight. 



I had no opportunity of inspecting a perfect specimen, but from the 

 horns and skins, the following description of the " Abyssinian Ibex," 

 taken from the Naturalist's Library, would appear to be appropriate. 



" It is of a dirty brownish fawn colour, with a short beard, and 

 lengthened hair under the throat down the breast, and a darkish line 

 on the anterior part of the legs and along the back. The horns are 

 superior in length to those of the European Ibex, forming a half circle 

 closer on the forehead." 



In the Himalayan ibex, the horns are large, rising as in the 

 European species, " from the crest of the skull, and bending gradually 

 backwards"; " they are flat-sided, and have the anterior surface 

 ringed or barred with very strong cross rugged bands." 



The same opinion regarding the increase of these bands with age, is 

 prevalent in these mountains, the natives declaring that two rings or 

 bands are the growth of one year. 



* For a good figure, see " Gardens and Menageries, Zoological Society". 



