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pair. In this respect it approaches Equus caballus (as it does in its relatively small 

 ears and its colour), and differs widely from E. asinus. The ghor-khar and onagers, 

 on the other hand, have small and narrow hoofs, like those of the last-named species. 

 The chigetai I have had no opportunity of examining, so far as this feature is 

 concerned. 



As regards colour, the kiang is by far the reddest of all the Asiatic wild asses, 

 and apparently becomes but little greyer in winter. On the other hand, some of the 

 ghor-khar and onager group are quite grey in winter ; and it is difficult, from this 

 character alone, to believe that they are specifically identical with the kiang. 



I have regarded the chigetai (the type of E. hemionus) as nearest to the kiang, , ^._ 

 but I am told by Mr. Pocock that some individuals of the fornier exhibit a broader icliMl'' 

 dorsal stripe than usual, and thus approach the onager and ghor-khar group ; and it 

 is thus possible that there may be a gradation from the one towards the other 

 type. If this be so, the kiang may be entitled to rank as the type of a distinct 

 species, under the name of {E. kiang), while the chigetai (£". hemionus) may typify 

 a second species which may stand by itself, or may also include the various local 

 forms of onager and ghor-khar. 



As a provisional measure, I take the species E. hemionus to include the kiaug ; 

 while the onagers and ghor-khar are grouped together as E. onager. 



In addition to its small ears, broad hoofs, narrow dorsal stripe, and general 

 colour, the kiang appears to be affiliated to Equus caballus (inclnsive of the wild 

 ponies of JMongolia, E. c. przevalskii or equuleus) by the nature of its cry, which 

 there is little doubt is to a great extent intermediate between that of the horse 

 and the ass. It is true that there is a certain amount of discrepancy between the 

 accounts of the kiang's call given by different observers. General Cunningham, for 

 instance, in his work on " Ladak," calls it a neigh, and other observers have 

 described it as being as much like neighing as braying. On the other hand, 

 Moorcroft, and subsequently General Strachey, described it as more like braying 

 than neighing ; the latter traveller observing that " my impression of the voice 

 of the kiaug is that it is a shrieking bray, not like that of the common ass, bnt 

 still a real bray, and not a neigh." Evidently it is perfectly distinct from the 

 bray of E. asinus, while, as noticed below, it also differs from the cry of one of 

 the races of E. onager. 



A. THE KIANG. 

 Equus hemionus kiang. 



Equus hang, Moorcroft, Tmreh in Lwlid; etc., vol. i. p. 312 (1841). 



Equus j)uhjmh,ii, Hodgson, Calculla Journal of Natural Jlisturi/, vol. vii. p. 4i">SI, pi. vi. (1847) : this 

 specific name was given owing to the circumstance that in the type specimen of E. Iieuumnis 

 described by Pallas some of the incisor teeth were wanting, which was then considered to 

 be a normal feature. 



Equus hemionus Many, Lydekker, Proc. Zuol. Soc. Loud. 1904, i. p. 432, pi. xxviii. 



Ilab. Ladak and Tibet ; kiang of the Ladakis and Tibetans. 



Profile sinuous, being concave below the eyes, and above the nose distinctly 

 convex. Dorsal stripe always narrow, chocolate in colour, without trace of white 

 borders. Tips of ears, mane (which is rather long), a narrow ring just above each 

 hoof, and tail-tuft dark brown or blackish. General colour of ujiper-parts full 



