THE NILGIRI IBEX 
(HEMITRAGUS HYLOCRIUS ) 
T HIS animal is nearly allied to the Himalayan Tahr, but living 
in a warmer climate does not possess the fine neck ruff of hair 
of that species. It can hardly be described as a true goat, as it 
has no beard, but there is a slight stiff mane along the back of 
the neck. The old males have a light saddle mark like the 
Sardinian mouflon, and the females carry horns. This species 
is found in the Nilgiri and Anamalai Hills of Southern India, where it lives 
at an elevation of 3,000 to 5,000 feet. It seems curious that its habitat 
should be so far removed from its Himalayan relative, as there are several 
ranges to the north of its present home which appear just as suitable for 
its requirements. The Nilgiri ibex sticks to the cliffs and does not make 
as much use of the forests as the Himalayan tahr. As a shooting permit 
only entitles the holder to one ibex, care must be taken not to make a 
mistake; and as the mountains are not very high there is sometimes 
difficulty in getting above the animals for a stalk. 
The best time to hunt them is from the middle of September till the 
middle of October and from April 15 till May 15. 
THE TAKIN 
(BUDORCAS TAXICOLOR) 
T HE takin inhabits the Mishmi Hills on the northern frontier 
of Assam and Burma, and a variety of it exists in Kansu and 
Szechuan, Western China. It is a clumsily built animal; both 
sexes carry horns, somewhat similar to those of the African 
wildebeest; the female’s resemble those of the male in shape, 
but are smaller. The takin lives at a considerable altitude, 
though its build is unusual for a mountain-climbing animal. It is very 
difficult at present to get permission to penetrate to its habitat, so that 
most of us will have to content ourselves with watching the captive example 
to be seen in the London Zoological Gardens. 
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