IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 151 



(19G) THE PUNJAB WILD SHEEP. 

 (OVIS CYCLOCEEOS— Sutton.) 



Hindi — Uryalm the Punjab. 



Description. — A full-grown male stands about 3 feet at the shoulder ; 

 general colour of the body varies from reddish brown to brownish grey ; 

 sides of the mouth, chin, abdomen, and legs below the knee white; 

 blackish patches on the sides and limbs ; beard black ; the eyepits large ; 

 horns resemble those of a domestic ram, attaining a length along 

 their curvature of nearly 36 inches in fully adult males, and much 

 annulated ; the female is somewhat small, has no beard, horns small, and 

 colour lighter. 



Hab. — Found in the Punjab salt range ; the Suliman range in the 

 neighbourhood of Peshawar ; in Beluchistan and Afghanistan ; also found 

 in Persia and Transcaspia. The uryai inhabits much lower elevations 

 and hotter regions than most of the known species of sheep; which, as 

 a rule, are only found at high altitudes, and in a cool atmosphere. 



Length of life in captivity. 

 From January 1879 to August 1883. 



(197) THE BUBKHAL WILD SHEEP. 



(OVIS NAHOOR— Hodgs.) 

 Known as Burrhal throughout the Himalayas. 



Description. — Height of an adult male 30 to 36 inches ; colour, a light 

 slaty blue, with shades of pale fawn here and there ; under parts 

 yellowish white; nose, front aspect of the limbs* a band along the sides, 

 the chest and the tip of the tail black, which varies in intensity. Horns 

 rounded, directed upwards and outward with a semicircular sweep ; 

 surface rough, but not much wrinkled. The female is smaller, with 

 small slightly curved horns. 



Hab. — The lofty ranges of the Himalayas, from Ladak to Bhutan ; 

 it is never found at lower elevations than 10,000 feet. 



Length of life in captivity. 



It does not thrive in the climate of Lower Bengal, and is therefore 

 seldom exhibited. A specimen lived for about eighteen months. 



Treatment in health. 



Housing.— Enclosures and sheds similar to those recommended for 

 gazelles will answer for ibex and uryal, with this modification, that in the 

 present case the fencing needs to be higher, as both these animals have 

 been known to jump over fencing and wall 6 feet 6 inches high with ease. 

 When any portion of an enclosure is formed of a wall, its surface should 

 be perfectly smooth, as the least projection in the shape of a moulding 

 or an inclined buttress will give these sure-footed animals a foothold, 



