126 By Mountain, Lake, and Plain 



habits of the two species. Both are often found 

 in the same plain, and they afford an example 

 of closely allied species inhabiting the same 

 ground, and yet, so far as one knows, not inter- 

 breeding. The only difference I have remarked 

 in their habits is that Kennions' seem to prefer 

 the higher and more broken parts of the plains, 

 while seistanica keep more to the natter and 

 lower parts and dakks. The range of the latter, 

 which Mr Lydekker considers distinct from the 

 Persian gazelle, extends north, at any rate as far 

 as Bujnurd, where I have shot specimens that 

 were indistinguishable from those found in Seistan. 

 According to this view, the true Persian gazelle 

 (G. subgutturosa) does not exist in Eastern Persia 

 at all. 



It has occurred to me that an apology is perhaps 

 due to any reader who may have accompanied 

 me through so long a dissertation about a mere 

 gazelle, a beast of no size or importance ; but if 

 the charm of shooting depends on its difficulty, 

 whether caused by the nature of the beast itself 

 or by terrain dangerous game is in a category 

 apart then ahu-gardani must rank high. There 

 is a proverb often cited by Persian shikaris that 

 is specially applicable 



" Yak roz shikar : 

 Sad roz bigar." 



