THE GUN AT HOME AND ABROAD 
Peninsula. His specific distinction is no mere matter of minor modifica- 
tions such as those upon which modern zoologists base multitudes of new 
races or local varieties — “sub-species” is the correct term. The ibex of 
Spain stands out clean cut and distinct from all his congeners the world 
over, as a lion differs from a leopard, or a grouse from a blackcock. A 
third reason — we may charitably be forgiven if we claim, even in most 
humble degree, to have originated that sentiment which — happily material- 
izing at the eleventh hour — promises to rescue the Spanish ibex from 
impending extirpation and to preserve, not only to Spain, but to the world, 
a unique animal -form. 
At the present moment the haunts of the Spanish ibex are restricted to 
some half-dozen widely isolated colonies, as under: 
(1) THE PYRENEES. — In this, their earliest and best-known habitat, it 
is quite uncertain whether any ibex survive to-day or not. A few, it is 
possible, may yet roam the crags of Monte Perdido (10,994 ft.), quite 
probably the last Pyrensean ibex has already been done to death — as is 
certainly the case throughout the Cantabrian hills and also, probably, in 
the Serra do Gerez in Portugal. 
(2) SIERRA DE GRfiDOS, Castile. — As this resort is more particularly 
described below, it is only necessary to say here that the ibex, after being 
shot down to fifteen head in 1905, are now rapidly increasing under the 
aegis of Royal protection. 
(3) SIERRA MORENA. — Although this huge mountain system covers an 
area as big as all England south of the Thames, yet its subrounded, jungle- 
clad ranges lack the naked rocks and precipices beloved of ibex, save only 
in one limited spot near Fuencaliente. There a colony of ibex, happily under 
private protection, is increasing satisfactorily. This habitat the wild goats 
share with superb red deer (the best heads exceeding 40 inches), and both 
animals may be shot in a single day, a feat impossible elsewhere on earth! 
The photo (marked “ A ”) shows a Mor£na ibex head measuring 28 inches, 
with basal circumference of 8| inches. 
(4) SERRANIA DE RONDA. — Along the whole mountainous Mediter- 
ranean front of Andalucia ibex are distributed sporadically and in greater 
or less numbers according to the protection afforded them. On certain hills, 
(such as San Cristobal) they have been totally exterminated within recent 
years; on others a sorely -harassed remnant survives. Fortunately, here 
again the new impulse is now manifesting itself in the protection of several 
sierras — details of which are given in “ Unexplored Spain,” p. 305. 
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