Himalayan Musk 313 



numerous in the more remote valleys north of Kashmir, such as Tilel and 

 Wardwan, but even in such districts it now appears to have become very 

 scarce, although the game laws recently put in force in Kashmir territory 

 may be doing something towards checking the diminution in its numbers. 

 Musk-deer are solitary animals, generally going about alone, and it is seldom, if 

 ever, that more than two adults are seen in company. Although they are 

 chiefly nocturnal, lying up during the greater part of the day under the 



Fig. 79. — Musk Deer. From a photograph by the Duchess of Bedford. 



shelter of some protecting bush, I have occasionally seen them in remote 

 districts feeding in the early afternoon. In Kashmir territory they are 

 chiefly found near the upper limits of the pine forests, and still more com- 

 monly in the still higher zone of birch, where the snow lingers till late in 

 the summer. On the Chinab I have, however, seen them in the dense 

 mixed forest at much lower levels, and in some districts they are met with 

 among the rhododendron forests. When disturbed, they start off in a series 

 of enormous bounds, halting after a few of such leaps to turn and gaze upon 

 the intruder, when they generally afford an easy shot. Cold seems to be a 



2 s 



