In Assam, Chittagong and Burmah the natives own large numbers of domesticated animals called ‘mithun’ or ‘gayal,’ which are very similar to bison in appearance, but are without the characteristic frontal ridge, and are said to have a small dewlap. Sterndale distinguishes these under the name of Gavæus frontalis, and quotes Dr. F. Buchanan Hamilton and Professor Garrod’s account from Mr. Macrae to the effect that the natives recruit their tame herds by catching and taming wild animals. But both Sanderson and Kinloch, who have hunted in the districts where the tame gayal are numerous for the express purpose of bagging a wild one, declare that such an animal does not exist, that the wild animals in those parts are the same as bison anywhere else, and that the peculiarities of the tame ones are due to domestication and inter-breeding with domestic cattle.
As regards measurements of heads, the same disappointing practice prevails with bison as with buffalo, viz.: measuring from tip to tip of the horns across the forehead, in addition to which (with bison) heads are frequently estimated only as regards the width of splay between the horns, without any reference to their length and girth. This latter measurement is the more misleading, as a deformed head with unnatural lateral sweep is more valued than one with long massive horns which grow closer together. The fairest measurement is length and girth at base of horn only.
XIX. BURMESE WILD OX (Gavæus sondaicus)
Native names: ‘Tsoing,’ Burmah; ‘Banteng,’ Java; (Sterndale). Habitat: Burmah, the Malayan Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo and Java. Blyth says it is domesticated in the Island of Bali.
This animal resembles the gaur in many respects, having the distinctive white stockings, but has no frontal or dorsal ridge. Its horns are more like those of the gayal, but it has not the dewlap of the latter, and it appears to be a much smaller and lighter built animal than either gaur or gayal.
The old bull is black with white stockings and a white patch on each buttock, the cows and young bulls being bright chestnut. There is a stuffed specimen in the British Museum which shows the difference very plainly. The only measurements the writer has been able to obtain are those of the horns.
Measurements
| Authority | Length of horn | Girth of horn | Splay at tips | Widest span inside | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gavæus sondaicus | |||||
| ins. | ins. | ins. | ins. | ||
| British Museum | 24¾ | 12¼ | 15¾ | 24¼ | From Java, Rowland Ward, ‘Horn Measurements’ |
| Mr. H. B. Low, British Museum | 21⅜ | 12¼ | 13⅛ | 19¼ | From Borneo ” |
| Mr. J. Carr Saunders | 21 | 12 | .. | .. | ” |
| Mr. H. B. Low, British Museum | 20⅝ | 12¼ | 18⅛ | 22⅛ | ” Rowland Ward, ‘Horn Measurements’ |
| British Museum | 20 | 12 | .. | .. | |
| Mr. H. B. Low, British Museum | 19¼ | 11¼ | 10⅛ | 15¾ | From Borneo, Rowland Ward, ‘Horn Measurements’ |
| ” | 18¼ | 10⅞ | 14½ | 18⅝ | ” |
| ” | 18 | 12¼ | 13⅜ | 16⅝ | ” |
XX. YAK (Poephagus grunniens)
Native names: ‘Donkh,’ ‘Dhong,’ Ladak; ‘Bunchowr,’ Hindi