appears to me that it would be desirable to include both groups in a single
genus. Without proceeding to this extreme course, the difficulties of the
case may be fairly met by regarding the bharal as the representative of a
separate sub-generic group of Ovis, leading on from the caprovine group in
the direction of the goats.
On this difficult point Mr. Blanford writes as follows “ This animal
in structure is quite as much allied to Capra as to Ovis, and is referred to
the latter genus mainly because it resembles- sheep rather than goats in
general appearance, and hence has been generally classed with the former.
Hodgson distinguished it as Pseudois, and there is much to be said in favour
of the distinction, but the sheep and goats are so nearly allied that an intermediate
generic form can scarcely be admitted.” The following are some
of the largest measurements of the horns o f this species .recorded by Mr.
Rowland Ward :—
.feronngtth C aulrovneg. ' CircuBmafsearlence. Tip to Tip.
32 ~ r ?
3:2 !3i 22i
3°f I2i 2*i
3°i 11 Hi
29i ” § 2Sh
28f ?
28i I2i m
28 11
to 0 (Hh
27l ' IO* u IO
2?i 1 j 2I2
27 ? ?
?7 B 28
26 J m 23
26i I02 20
26J 23
26£ 12 2Ii
26£ loj 22
26 12 2° i
25s I22 3 4
LFernogntth C aulrovneg. CircuBmasfearlence. Tip to Tip
2 S-i H l84
2 5i ?
2Si ■ 2 5i
Hi I2i 26
Hi 1 of 2 7i
24 11 22l
Distribution.—Tibet, from the neighbourhood of Shigar in Baltistan in
the west to Moupin in the east, and from the main axis of the Himalaya
in the south, or in places in the high country somewhat southwards, to the
Kuenlun and Altyn-tag in the north. Apparently never descending below
an elevation of about 10,000 feet above the sea-level, and in summer commonly
met with at elevations of from about 14,000 to 16,000 feet, or even
higher.
Habits.— Bharal is the Hindustani title of this very aberrant and peculiar
sheep, but its proper Ladaki name is na or s’na. By Englishmen it is very
commonly known as the blue sheep, a name admirably denoting that peculiarity
of coloration whereby it is ;®S strikingly different from all its kindred.
As structure is intimately correlated with habits, it is not surprising to find
the blue sheep displaying in its habits features common to the goats on the
one hand and to the sheep on the other. For instance, while resembling
sheep in dwelling on open undulating ground, and in displaying a frequent
tendency to repose during the midday hours on its feeding-places, the
bharal rivals the goats in its climbing capabilities, being able to ascend
precipitous cliffs with facility, and when disturbed generally resorting to
ground which it would try the most skilled and active mountaineer
to ascend. Although these observations are not my own, I am able to
confirm their accuracy from the results of personal experience. On one
occasion, when travelling in Ladak, on the southern side of the great
mountain-barrier bordering the south side of the Indus opposite the town
of Leh, I came suddenly and unexpectedly on a large flock of bharal, the