EUROPEAN GOATS AND SHEEP 
moufflon character. In the Island of Soay, near St Kilda, there is a race 
of sheep which probably owed their origin to such a cross. On this 
island there are about 80 to 100 sheep, which are perfectly wild, and even 
when transported to an English park they never become tame. Most of 
the males carry heads and pelage very like moufflon, but a few rather 
favour the small Hebridean sheep with which it is possible they may have 
been crossed at some remote period. The origin of these sheep is quite 
unknown. 
In the Island of Cyprus there exist a small wild sheep which is doubt- 
less a localized race of ovis orientalis. It is known as ovis orientalis ophion, 
and is the smallest of all the wild sheep, being only 26 £ inches at the 
shoulder. The general colour is a foxy -red, with a few whitish hairs on 
the flanks, which forms a faint saddle -mark. The other colours of the 
body are similar to ovis orientalis, but not so dark. The horns, 20 to 24 
inches in length, curve backwards, with the points turning inwards. In 
shape they have a complete rounding off of the outer frontal angle, which 
was formerly considered to be a distinctive character in the Cyprian race, 
but which is now known to exist in the typical race on the mainland of Asia 
Minor. The Cyprian moufflon is found on the upper edges of the pine -clad 
Troodos mountains of Cyprus and only exists in small numbers. At the time 
of our occupation in 1878 only a small flock, numbering about twenty -five 
individuals, existed, but strict preservation soon increased their numbers. 
After a period when shooting was allowed, I think I am correct in saying 
that these animals are again protected. 
J. G. MILLAIS. 
379 
