The sun., 1904-06-19
STRANGE, RARE ANIMALS.
What the Hunter and Naturalist VIII Find
in Tibet.

From the London Daily Mail.
II Tibet offers no attractions to the tourist
who requires luxurious travelling, to the
sportsman and the naturalist IL is a veritable
paradise though far from EdenIc in some
respects.
One Of the largest Of the mammalia is the
yak, or grunting OK. Standing between
s and feet high at the shoulders. the bulk
OF this strange looking creature is not a little
exaggerated by the enormous growth of
hair upon the lower part OF the body and
tail. Beneath the outer coat, moreover.
there is layer Of fine wool known as "pushim, "
which Is highly priced for the ma king of cloth
The extraordinary tail is one of the most
conspicuous features Of Tibetan monas-
teries or lamaseries. being suspended on
poles as streamers. Throughout the East
these tails are used as fly whisks and in Chin q
they are dyed red and liked to the roofs of
summer residences as pendants. Livin Y
near the region OF perpetual snow, and OF
fierce disposition, the hunting OF the yak
is not to be lightly undertaken. In spite of
temper however, it Is easily domesti Gated.
and forms an invaluable beast of burden,
being wonderfully sure footed and capable
OF carrying great weights. 1t is however,
unable TO eat corn: ana forced marches, ex :
haustinR alike to man aud beast, are often on
this account necessary.
Barren and inhospitable, the high table,
lands OF Tibet harbor yet other hoOfed ami
antelope. for example, which, like the strange
saga, has developed an enormous sw olIen
nose. 1t is supposed that this enlarg ged size
need OF some special adaptation for breat hin q
the highly rarehed air OF these regi ons. The lit
tie oa. or Tbetan gazelle, and IN Rnihcent
Wild sheep. the arg al IN anage like the chiru,
to thrive where in summer the sun scorches
by day and icy blasts prevail at night, and
he DIS OF vii d O rs are ever on the prowl
More dlfacult to stalk than any other Tibetan
game, the ar gall still further allures the sports
man by the fact that It carries superb horns.
which may attain length Of +s inches. and q
It Of 20 nShes az snf ease Old sSms win
The ibex and n very remarkable animal
| known as the bhara or blue sheep Of Tibet,
but which appears TO oe more soat than sheep,
The snow deer. beast nearly as big as the
great waplu has very seldom fallen to the
country it is represented only by Ave skulls
and horns In the British Museum, and as many
more in different private collections. The
number Of points thirteen lis in the British
Museum. The spread between the tips OF
| the horns is over ground. Little is known
about the creature. but II is conjectured tina,
| this coloration is protective, harmonizinR
with patches Of snow and black rocks among
| which II lives.
keys is to be found in Tibet. 1t is known as the
Hsed II yes t IN tro1E
next conspicuous feature about this animal
The great cats are worthily represented
| by the rare snow leopard. a, specimen OF
Gardens in, London. Only twice previously
has It besn brought to this country alive.
Two OF the most priced ID enizens Of our
% seous ~ soIden sS and and Amherst phesssnts. fhe
latter. II 10 suggested, could profitably be In.
| troduced into our coverts.