HAUNTS OF THE URIN 35 



and can be hunted in many localities on the route from 

 Kashmir to Astor, Bunji, and beyond. 



Urin are found from the Bunji plain along the range 

 on the left bank of the Astor, across the lower slopes of 

 the Nanga Parbat, above Chhagum, and as far as the Mir 

 Malik valley. I do not think they wander beyond this 

 river. They are restless animals, and are on the move 

 constantly backwards and forwards between the limits 

 named. They spend their winter in the Bunji plain and 

 the low hills in its neighbourhood. As summer approaches, 

 they wander up the spurs from the Hatti'i Pass, proceed 

 along that range, round the base of Nanga Parbat, as far 

 as the Mir Malik. They reverse this order on the 

 approach of the cold months. These journeys are regularly 

 performed by well-known pathways ; in consequence, the 

 patient local sportsmen lie out for them at favourable 

 points along the route, and bag a great many without any 

 exertion or trouble whatever. The Kotwal of Bunji (son 

 of Wazir Piozi Khan) was a w^ell-known hand at this kind 

 of pot-shooting. 



Brown bears are most numerous in the upper valley of 

 Astor to the south, along the routes leading from Giires to 

 that district. They are rare in the markhor grounds. 



