328 Dr. N. SevertzofF on the Mammals of Turkestan. 



also occur on the summits of the Chayan mountains ; further 

 in a north-westerly direction I met with them on the rocks of 

 the Turlansky-Pereval ; and, according to the native tribes 

 living there, these sheep are abundant also on the Min-Djelkey, 

 the highest point of the Karatau mountains ; and are to be 

 found even at the foot of these mountains, namely in the 

 Kara-murun hills, about 1000 feet high, and the steppes 

 not above 1500 feet above the level of the sea. These latter 

 are covered solely with steppe-plants. In the Karatau they 

 keep close to the grass-covered plains and meadows, sometimes 

 descending to the steppes to feed on the salt plants. 



These sheep keep in very small flocks of from three to four 

 individuals ; and often single females with a lamb are to be 

 met with, and even single males. This cannot be attributed 

 to the usual habits of this species ; but the reason for this scat- 

 tering is more to be looked for in the very rocky nature of the 

 parts of the Karatau mountains to which this sheep is driven 

 by the different nomad tribes of the Kirgies, with their nume- 

 rous flocks and herds. This is altogether different from the 

 case of 0. Polii^ which usually grazes on the large plains of 

 Aksay in very small flocks, although they might easily assem- 

 ble in flocks consisting of hundreds of individuals, as is done 

 by 0. Karelini on the plains of the Narin. 



0. Polii being larger and stronger than the other sheep, 

 does not require to form such large flocks as the others do, espe- 

 cially 0. nigrimontana^ which certainly is one of the smallest 

 and weakest of the whole group of the Central-Asiatic sheep. 

 It is also very cautious and shy ; and the reason for this is 

 easily found — namely, the way in which it is constantly driven 

 out of its localities. 



In localities situated at about 1000 feet altitude, where it is 

 in no danger, this sheep likes to look down from some lofty 

 rock upon what takes place below. This was the case with one 

 which watched for over an hour the arrangement of my tent 

 and bed on the plain of Kaed-mistay in the Karatau ; and 

 at another time a sheep watched my passing through tlie 

 "ravine of Buguni. At the same time it very cautiously looks 

 out for danger, and at the slightest suspicion of the approach of 

 such it leaves the place at once. 



Ovis arieSj var. steatojjyga. 



The tame Kirgies sheep I think ought simply to be called 

 0. steatopyga and be taken as a distinct species. The long 

 dependent ears and the fat tails of the Kirgies sheep (charac- 

 teristics dependent of course on domestication) show the parent 

 stock, to which also the short and irregular horns are referable; 



