228 



THE FAUNA OF THE CHINESE PROVINCE 



to grassy plains where it is quite unknown in winter ; but these journeys are made 

 only by the cows and calves, the old bulls, which live alone or in small companies 

 of threes and fours, being supposed to remain in the same district throughout the 

 year. In summer the cows form herds of from ten to a hundred head, or more in 

 districts where pasture is good, grazing at night-time and in the early morning. 



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KULJA ARGALI. 



Yak retire during the day to some steep barren slope, where they remain for hours 

 on the same spot. Old bulls prefer resting-places where they can obtain a good 

 view of the surrounding country, and often wander far above the limit of vegetable 

 growth to the summit of some steep mountain. Very little is enough to warn the 

 yak — which has a sharp sense of smell, but appears not to see well — of the approach 

 of the sportsman, and, when anxious and expecting danger, the cows and old bulls 

 place themselves at the head and on the flanks of the herd with the calves in the 

 middle ; but when the sportsman draws near the whole herd takes to flight, rushing 



