HABITS OF THE KULAN. 147 



ably broke up into smaller troops, gnd dispersed in 

 different directions. 



Each lot of mares is led by a stallion, the size of 

 whose family depends on his age, strength, and 

 courage ; his individual qualities keeping his harem 

 together. Old and experienced stallions have as 

 many as fifty wives, whilst the younger are obliged 

 to content themselves with five or ten. Young 

 or unfortunate bachelors roam about alone, casting 

 envious glances from a distance at their older or 

 happier rivals, by whom again they are always re- 

 garded with suspicion, and never allowed to approach 

 the harems. Should one of these stallions notice 

 another approaching too near his troop, he rushes to 

 the encounter and tries in every way by kicking and 

 biting to drive him off Fights frequently occur 

 during the rutting season, which we were told by the 

 Mongols is the month of September. The males 

 are very jealous and combative at this season, and 

 sometimes go out of their way to seek an antagonist. 

 The young are born in May ; but often die before 

 attaining maturity ; and in the largest herds we saw 

 but a few foals, which never seemed to leave their 

 mother's side. 



The kulan's sight and hearing are excellent. It 

 is difficult to kill him on level ground. The best 

 way is to walk boldly up to the troop, which you 

 may do to within 500, or sometimes, though rarely, 

 400 paces, but even at this distance you cannot be 

 certain of your aim, and should you not hit him in a 

 vital part he will not fall. It is useless attempting 



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