310 
MAMMALIA. 
of the chain of the Himalayas, the Musk Deer may he found upon 
every hill of an elevation above 8,000 feet which is clothed with 
forest. On the lower ranges it is comparatively a rare animal, 
being confined to near the summits of the highest hills, as we 
approach the colder forests near the snow; but it is nowhere 
particularly numerous, and its retired and solitary habits make 
it appear still more rare than it really is. Exclusively a forest 
animal, it inhabits all kinds of forests indiscriminately, from the 
oaks of the lower hills to the stunted bushes near the limits of 
vegetation. If we may judge from their numbers, the preference 
seems to be given to the birch forests, where the underwood 
consists chiefly of the white rhododendron and juniper. 
“ In many respects they are not unlike Hares in habits and 
economy. Each individual selects some particular spot for its 
favourite retreat, about which it remains still and at rest through- 
out the day, leaving it in the evening to search for food, or 
wander about, returning soon after daylight. They will occa- 
sionally rest for the day in any place where they may happen 
to be in the morning, but in general they return to near the 
same spot almost every day, making forms in different quarters 
of their retreat a little distance from each other, and visiting 
them in turn. Sometimes they will lie under the same tree or 
bush for weeks together. They make forms in the same manner 
as Hares, levelling with their feet a spot large enough for the 
purpose, if the ground is too sloping. They seldom, if ever, lie 
in the sun, even in the coldest weather, and their forms are 
always made where there is something to shelter them from its 
rays. Towards evening they begin to move, and during the 
night appear to wander about a good deal, from top to bottom of 
the hill, or from one side to another. In the day they are seldom 
seen moving about. Their nocturnal rambles are apparently as 
much for recreation as in search of food, as they often visit 
regularly some steep ledge of rock or precipice, where there is 
little or no vegetation. The mountaineers believe that they come 
to such places to play and dance with each other, and often set 
their snares along the edge of such a ledge or precipice, in 
preference to the forest. 
“ If not walking leisurely and slowly along, the Musk Deer 
always goes in bounds, all fours leaving and alighting on the 
