242 Mr. E. Blyth on the different Animals known as Wild Asses. 



As regards the geographical distribution of the Kyang or 

 Djiggetai, it does not appear that aught has been added to our 

 knowledge since the time of Pallas; and the same may be re- 

 marked of the distribution of the Ghor-khur or Koulan, except- 

 ing that the proper habitat of the Hemippus has to be subtracted 

 from that of the Koulan, and the supposed migratory habits of 

 the latter are not confirmed by subsequent observation. In the 

 depth of a Khiva winter, this animal was observed in numerous 

 herds near the western extremity of Lake Aral, by Major James 

 Abbott, who remarks that he " ascended some high land covered 

 with snow. Wind scarcely endurable. We every day see herds 

 of wild Asses, and flocks of the Saiga Antelope. I counted 

 800 wild Asses in a single herd *." According to Lieut. Irwin, 

 it is " common in Persia, the western parts of Khorassan, and 

 the plains of Turkistan, from which he extends north into the 

 Russian dominions and the centre of Asia. A few are kept by 

 the Ymacks, more for curiosity than usef." Southward, they 

 are still numerous in the parched and rugged deserts of Belu- 

 chistan, which, however, are scarcely hotter than the country 

 about the Aral in summer : there are many of them in the Pat 

 or desert between Asni and the hills, west of the Indus, above 

 Mithur-kote. u In this desert," remarks a recent writer, " they 

 are to be found wandering pretty well throughout the year; but 

 in the early summer, when the grass and the water in the pools 

 have dried up from the hot winds (which are here terrific), the 

 greater number (if not all) of the Ghor-khurs migrate to the 

 hills for grass and water. Some are probably to be found in 

 the hills throughout the year, for among them are sandy plains 

 of greater or less extent. The foaling season is in June, July, 

 and August, when the Beluchis ride down and catch numbers of 

 foals, finding a ready sale in the cantonments for them, as they 

 are taken down on speculation to Hindustan. They also shoot 

 great numbers of full-grown ones for food, the ground in places 

 in the desert being very favourable for stalking. . . . Some are 

 beautifully striped on the legs ; many are mottled. / have seen 

 one or two of a very dark colour. They have not generally the 

 stripe on the shoulder, though I think I have seen some with it 

 slightly marked J. " Eastward of the Indus, this animal appears 

 to be fast verging on extermination ; and I am assured that one 

 herd only is left in the Bikanir desert, where the foals are often 

 run down ; and Major Tytler's specimens are from this locality. 

 There are still a few also in the Runn of Cutch§. "The wild 



* Narrative of a Journey from Herat to Khiva, &c., i. 23. 



t Journ. Asiat. Soc. viii. 1008. 



j India Sporting Review, n. s. iii. 1/2. 



§ From information obtained by Major Tytler, it appears that the 



