3° 2, Tahr
broadly tipped with blackish-brown ; the face, the cheeks below the eyes,
the backs of the ears, the tail, and a mark on each fetlock black or blackish.
Horns of the general type of those of the Himalayan species, but relatively
longer, more slender, less ridged on the sides, and less knotted on the front
edge. In the male, at least, the teats are only two in number. Certain
differences in the form and proportions of the skull between this and the
Himalayan species are mentioned in the original description, among them
being the prominence on the forehead, which almost recalls the boss found
in the Abyssinian ibex, and the relative shortness o f the nasal bone*H
The distinctive features of this species are its smal|igize, which is less
Fro. 59.—Skull and horns o f male Arabian Tahr. (From Thomas, Proc. Zoal. Sue.
than in any other wild goat, the keeled, slightly nodose, compressed, slender
horns, the slight development of the mane and brittleness of the hair, and
the apparent presence of only two teats.
The only examples at present known are two skins in the British
Museum, one of which is mounted and exhibited in the lower im m m lb ii
gallery.
Distribution. — The mountains of Oman, South-Eastern Arabia;
definitely known from the Akhdar and neighbouring ranges.
Habits.— Although nothing has been ascertained with regard to the
habits of this tahr, Dr. Jayakar, its discoverer, as quoted by Mr. Thomas,