The Himalayans, when first born, are quite white, and are then true
albinoes; but in the course of a few months they gradually assume
their dark ears, nose, feet, and tail. Occasionally, however, as I
am informed by Mr. W. A. Wooler and the Rev. W. D. Fox, the young
are born of a very pale grey colour, and specimens of such fur were
sent me by the former gentleman. The grey tint, however, disappears
as the animal comes to maturity. So that with these Himalayans
there is a tendency, strictly confined to early youth, to revert to
the colour of the adult silver-grey parent-stock. Silver-greys and
chinchillas, on the other hand, present a remarkable contrast with
the Himalayans in their colour whilst quite young, for they are
born perfectly black, but soon assume their characteristic grey or
silver tints. The same thing occurs with grey horses, which, as
long as they are foals, are generally of a nearly black colour, but
soon become grey, and get whiter and whiter as they grow older.
Hence the usual rule is that Himalayans are born white and
afterwards become in certain parts of their bodies dark-coloured;
whilst silver-greys are born black and afterwards become sprinkled
with white. Exceptions, however, and of a directly opposite nature,
occasionally occur in both cases. For young silver-greys are
sometimes born in warrens, as I hear from Mr. W. Birch, of a
cream-colour, but these young animals ultimately become black. The
Himalayans, on the other hand, sometimes produce, as is stated by
an experienced amateur,[18] a single black young one in a litter;
and this, before two months elapse, becomes perfectly white.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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