[A similar cession of sole hunting-rights to the King was simultaneously made by the owners of the "Central Group" of the Picos de Europa in Asturias. There are no ibex in that Cantabrian range; the graceful act was there inspired by a desire to preserve the chamois, animals with which we deal in another chapter.] The Spanish ibex is found at six separate points in the Peninsula, each colony divided from its fellows as effectually as though broad oceans rolled between. The six localities are:-- (1) The Pyrenees--which we have not visited. (2) Sierra de Grédos, as above defined, and as described in greater detail hereafter. (3) Sierra Moréna, a single isolated colony near Fuen-Caliente, now preserved (see next chapter). (4) Sierra Neváda and the Alpuxarras (cf. _infra_). (5) The mountains along the Mediterranean, which are properly western outliers of Neváda, but which are usually grouped as the "Serrania de Ronda," some lying within sight of Gibraltar. Several of the most important ranges are now preserved by their owners (cf. _infra_). (6) Valencia, Sierra Martés. This forms a new habitat hitherto unrecorded, and of which we only became aware through the kindness of Mr. P. Burgoyne of Valencia, who has favoured us with the annexed photo of an ibex head killed (along with a smaller example) at Cuevas Altas in the mountain-region known as Peñas Pardas in that province, February 22, 1909. The dimensions read as follows:-- Length along front curves 21-3/4 inches Circumference at base 7-7/8 " Widest span 16-3/8 " Tip to tip 17 " Our informant has reason to believe that ibex also exist (or existed within recent years) in the rugged mountains of Tortosa, farther east in Catalonia. In the form of its horns the Spanish ibex differs essentially from the typical ibex of the Alps--now, alas, exterminated save only in the King of Italy's preserved ranges around the Val d'Aosta. In the true ibex the horns bend regularly backwards and downwards in a uniform, scimitar-like curve. In the Spanish species, after first diverging laterally, the horns are recurved both inward and finally upward. That is, in the first case they follow a simple semicircular bend, while in the Spanish goats they form almost a spiral. A minor point of difference lies in the annular rings or notches which in the true ibex are rectangular, encircling the horn in front like steps in a ladder, while in _Capra hispánica_ they rather run obliquely in semi-spiral ascent. These annulations indicate the age of the animal--one notch to each year--but the count must stop where the spiral ends. Beyond that is the lightly grooved tip, which does not alter. The horns of old rams (which are often broken or worn down at the tips) average 26 to 28 inches, specially fine examples reaching 29 inches or more. The females likewise carry horns, but short and slender, only measuring 6 or 7 inches.