THE BURHEL 
(OVIS NAHURA) 
r HIS sporting little sheep has an extended range, and is to be 
found in Ladak, Changchenmo, some of the nullahs on the 
Pamirs, and a long way eastward into Tibet. 
Along the main chain of the Himalayas he is found further 
than any other species of Kashmir game. Probably some of the 
best localities in which to hunt him are those lying north of 
Mussoorie, in the neighbourhood of Gangaotri. He seldom descends below 
about 12,000 feet at any season, and in summer may be met with as high 
as 16,000 or 17,000 feet. In general habits burhel resemble the goats 
rather than other wild sheep. 
These animals are fairly numerous in the localities in which they are 
found, and as they sometimes run in big herds, the hunter, with any luck, 
may secure two or three heads at one stalk; but where there are so many 
pairs of eyes to be eluded it is always more difficult to make an approach. 
Owing to the similarity of their colour to the ground on which they live 
they are difficult animals to spy, especially when lying down, and it is not 
easy to pick out a good head. The old males may, however, be distin- 
guished by the dark colour of their chest marking. 
In Ladak the natives build up the old horns which have been picked 
up into piles along the track, and it is always interesting to examine 
these and note any peculiarities. In some districts they appear to be 
shorter and thicker than others, which may be due to variety in their 
feeding. 
Burhel do not seem to lie down in the middle of the day so long or so 
regularly as most mountain game. They may be found on their feet feeding 
at any time, and out of a big herd there are always sure to be some on the 
look-out for danger. 
Their flesh yields the best eating of all the Himalayan animals, and 
in a country like Ladak, where supplies are scanty, they form a very 
welcome addition to the commissariat. Fortunately they are sufficiently 
numerous to allow the sportsman to kill a liberal allowance under his 
game licence. 
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