THIBETAN KIANG 



H3 



different distribution ; it is confined to the high tablelands (jf 

 Thibet at an elevation of 15,000 feet and upwards. In correla- 

 tion with this habitat it has a thicker and more " furry " coat, 

 whicli is, moreover, of a darker shade than that of the Onager. 

 This coat is shed in the summer, and replaced by one which is 

 not so dark in luie. It is an interesting fact that the African 

 Wild Asses approach to the zel)ra type in liaving at least traces of 

 stripings. There are apparently two species. The best known. 



Fig. 126. — Nubian Wild Ass. Equus a/ricanus. x-jL-. 



the Nubian Ass, E. africanus, is probably- the parent of the 

 domestic donkey. It has a dorsal longitudinal stripe, and 

 another across the shoulder- — in legend the marks of the Saviour. 

 The matter of the name of this Ass seems difficult to decide. It 

 has been called also E. asi'nus and E. taenio'pus. It has been 

 observed that this animal has a great aversion to water, and a 

 delight in rolling in the dust — l)Oth of whicli characteristics 

 argue a desert existence. But on the other hand the Kiang 

 will plunge boldly into streams, yet it would seem to be the 

 descendant of a purely desert form. The Ass is a longer-lived 



