OCR Text |
Show 314 ON THE GORAL FOUND IN BURMA. [Nov. 14, Distribution.- So far as is at present known to me, in the localities noted, and at elevations above 3500 feet. These Goral appear to be rather localised, and I should say are uncommon. It is reasonable to expect, however, that when a more intimate knowledge of the higher ranges is gained, the distribution of these animals may be found to be more extensive. These Goral, I believe, extend into Siam and are to be found in suitable places on the Siamese side of the Thaungyin River, and also occur, but are more scarce, about the hills at the headwaters of the Me-Ping. Habits.-As has been recorded in the case of the Indian form, these Goral live in parties of four, six, or even a dozen. They inhabit very steep ground and the more precipitous it is the better they seem to like it. They are never to be found at any distance from rugged, rocky ground, even though there may be forest near by. The only time they may be found away from dangerous ground is during the early hours of the morning and late in the evening, when they graze on the grassy patches close by. No doubt when the sky is overcast, as is the case during the rains, or in the cold weather when there is a heavy mist, they feed much later. Apparently they are inclined to remain always about any favourite locality. Their sight seems to be extraordinarily good, and they appear to rely more on this sense than on smell or hearing. The day is usually passed lying on inaccessible ledges of rock about precipices. If a Goral is startled it jumps up and makes a short sharp hissing or sneezing noise, very often repeated at short intervals. It may be a note of alarm or a call to its mates, for as sure as one calls, if there are any others about (and this is generally the • case), it is immediately answered. In Burma, at least, these Goats are not easily followed, unless by expert cragsmen; and in this category I do not include myself. Goral, when standing about these crags, afford fairly easy shots with high-velocity rifles, but the recovery of a carcase is, as a rule, by no means an easy matter. The shikaris and followers are generally anything but keen on a trip down one of these precipices, and I for one do not blame them. Though they may be adepts in woodcraft, they cannot be anything like the cragsmen (hill-shikaris) met with in the Himalayas. Goral-flesh is not at all bad. From December till May is the best season to hunt these animals, and morning and evening is the best time to find them, as they are then grazing or lying down in places more accessible. I sent specimens of the skin &c. of this Goral to Mr. Lydekker, by whom the animal has been named after myself, Urotragus evansi. I have to thank Captains Blakeway and Wood, R.E., and Mr. W. B. Tydd, of the Burma Civil Service, for their kindness in helping me in this matter. Rangoon, 1st June, 1905. |