40 ANTELOPE SHOOTING IN MONGOLIA. 



This antelope is a fine looking animal, especially in its winter 

 coat. In summer it is of a rich orange -fawn colour, with white under- 

 parts and croup. The winter pelage is much lighter and is without 

 the orange tint. The horns, which are only present in the males, 

 rise at a slight backward angle from the head for four or five inches. 

 They then slope more sharply backward and outward, finally turning 

 in and slightly upward at the tips. They are nicely annulated for 

 three-quarters of their length. The record measurements up to date 

 are 16f inches in length and 4J inches in girth with a spread of 6f 

 inches at the tips. 



This is the animal that used to be sent annually to the Palace 

 in Peking as tribute from the Mongol Princes. Doubtless the reader 

 has seen them for sale in the markets here and in the Capital. Only 

 good sized males could be sent down, and these had to have the front 

 legs crossed over the back of the neck. The flesh is excellent especially 

 during the winter after it has been kept in a frozen condition for some 

 time. 



The Mongols have several ways of hunting the antelope. They 

 may chase them on horse back with hounds, or stalk them on foot; 

 but neither of these methods could be used to supply the big demands 

 from Peking. For this the chiefs have to organize big drives, which 

 are conducted in the following manner. Two lines of pits or trenches 

 are dug commencing far apart and gradually converging till they meet. 

 In the last dozen or so pits, men, chosen for their marksmanship, are 

 hidden. Then a large body of horsemen ride out and round up a 

 herd, or several herds of antelope, and drive them into the wide end 

 of the two lines of pits. The antelope will not attempt to jump over 

 the pits, and so crowd together and are driven down the narrowing 

 lane. When they reach the marksmen, the latter open fire and, inflict 

 terrible slaughter. The rest of the herd, driven by fear, finally escape 

 across the lines. 



I do not know how the Mongols conduct the chase with hounds, 

 but should imagine that relays must be used, for tftre antelope is far 

 speedier than any hound. One European of my acquaintance, who 

 lived in Mongolia, told me of a Eussian wolf hound that he had, which 

 couldi follow a herd of antelope keeping; just three or four leaps behind 

 the hindmost, but could never catch up those last few yards. Of 

 course this hound was extremely useful in catching wounded animals. 



Stalking on foot requires considerable skill and knowledge of the 

 habits of the antelope. Usually two or three hunters go out on horse 



