Of all the game animals in the valley, the splendid
varieties of wild goat are the most interesting, but to use
an Irishism they are generally obtained outside the
limits of Kashmir m Astor, Chilas, and Baltistan. Still
good markhor are to be shot in the Pir Panjal and other
nigh grounds to the south-east, the finest heads having
been obtained on the Kaj-Nag, a record length of horns
being sixty-one inches. They are grand animals, and
will repay any one with strength and endurance to
toilow him into the almost inaccessible fastnesses that
he inhabits, for all the fatigues and dangers of the stalk.
Ihe ibex was far more common, but the / ‘kail,” as
the people call them, are now generally sought for
further afield. They yield a far finer head than the
.European variety, and, like most of the hill goats, have
an under hair valuable for making cloth. The " ta h r ”
(Remitragusjemlaicus) is also occasionally met with in
the .1 ir Panjal, and is a grand-looking animal of some
two hundred and fifty pounds weight, with long, venerable
beard; but for those who can spare the time, it is
more satisfactory to go to other parts in search of them.
Of the genus “ cervus,” the “ barasingh ” is by far
the handsomest and most representative species, though
it is rare for it to act up to its name (the twelve-horned),
ten tines being the usual number. During the hot
weather, relieved of its horns, it wanders high upon
the hillside, returning with new ones in the early
autumn. September and October are the best months
for securing them. There are State forests specially
preserved in the Wangat and at Trahal, and above
Atchibal. Their flesh is much valued, and the antlers
are a very impressive trophy.
The musk deer is much sought after by reason of
its scent pod, and there is some fear of it being entirely
killed out unless a great deal more carefully preserved
than at present.
The Indian wild boar (Sus cristalus) is common,
though generally retiring to heights over three thousand
feet during the hot weather. I saw them once or twice.
They are much dreaded by the natives, as they do so
much damage to the crops. The Dogras and the Sikhs,
otherwise not flesh eaters, consider this pdrk a great
delicacy.
Of birds there is great variety, and the game ones are
but little diminished, the natives caring for them only
for their gay plumage or sweet song, and hardly naming
those that do not possess these attractive points. Their
orioles and kingfishers, swallows and larks, they love,
and would never think of killing, and so, on the whole,
the winged class have a happy time.
Of pheasants the most sought after by sportsmen
are the ram chikor (Tetrogallus himalayensis), the
beautiful monaul pheasant (Lophophorus refulgens),
and the caccabis chukar (the chikor partridge), the only
true partridge to be found in Kashmir. The most
common of this family is the koklas, that I often met
with in the forests, its Latin title being Pucrasin
biddulphi.
The ordinary pigeon is the Columba intermedia, the
blue rock pigeon of the plains. There are many handsome
varieties less common, the Columba hodgsoni and
the C. leuconota.
The woodcock (Scolopax rusticóla) breeds in large
quantities in the valley, and then disappears into space,
small quantities only being shot. Various other snipe—
the common, jack snipe, etc.—are found.