TAKIN. 
259 
numerous rings, are marked by a number of longitudinal striae. The two sexes 
are very similar. 
The Burmese serow (N. sumatrensis), which inhabits hilly districts from the 
Eastern Himalaya to Yunnan and Eastern Tibet, and thence to Siam, Burma, the 
Malay Peninsula, and Sumatra, is only distinguished by its redder colour, and 
perhaps rather smaller size. The other two species are the Japanese serow (N. 
crispus ) from Japan, and Swinhoe’s serow (N. swinhoei) from the island of 
Formosa; both of which are distinguished by their smaller size, which is about 
equal to that of the goral. 
The habits of all the serows are probably very similar. Writing 
of the Himalayan species, General Kinloch observes that it “ has an 
awkward gait, but, in spite of this, it can go over the worst ground; and it has, 
perhaps, no superior in going down steep 
hills. It is a solitary animal, and is nowhere 
numerous; two or three may be found on 
one hill, four or five on another, and so on. 
It delights in the steepest and most rocky 
hillsides, and its favourite resting-places are 
in caves, under the shelter of overhanging 
rocks, or at the foot of shady trees. Although 
very shy and difficult to find, the serow is a 
fierce and dangerous animal when brought to 
bay. I have even heard of an unwounded 
male charging when his mate had been shot. 
It is said that a serow will sometimes beat 
off a pack of wild dogs, and I believe that 
serow and dogs have been found lying dead 
together. When disturbed, the serow utters a 
most singular sound, something between a 
snort and a screaming whistle, and I have 
heard them screaming loudly when they had 
apparently not been alarmed.” General Mac- 
intyre relates that on one occasion “ a female 
serow had been shot by a sportsman, when, on his native follower approaching 
to secure it, a male companion rushed out from the dense cover hard by, and, 
going for the man, sent him rolling downhill with a butt from its horns.” 
The Takin. 
Genus Budorcas. 
One of the most remarkable members of this group is the little-known takin 
(Budorcas taxicolor), from Eastern Tibet and the Mishmi Hills, which is evidently 
allied to the serow, although with very differently shaped horns. The takin is a 
heavily-built and comparatively large animal, standing 3| feet at the shoulder, 
w r ith stout limbs, large lateral hoofs, and a small goat-like tail. The muzzle is 
HORNS OF HIMALAYAN SEROW. 
