358 UNKNOWN MONGOLIA 



quarters, and the greater part of the Urungu Valley 

 falls within their territory ; beyond this, uninhabited 

 steppes and areas of sand-dunes allow them free progress 

 as far as the Bogdo-ola Mountains, the southern border- 

 range of Dzungaria. 



We visited the Kirei in many of these localities. 

 Our experiences in connexion with the section of the 

 tribe owning the pastures of the Upper Kobdo Valley 

 proved to us that they spent the summer in the high- 

 lands around Dain Kul and Dolto Nor, and wintered 

 in the valley of the Upper Kobdo, at the rather high 

 altitude of 6,000 ft. The inhabitants of the Dzungarian 

 flanks of the Altai descended to the valley of the Upper 

 or Black Irtish for the winter. In this latter locality 

 we found them in the course of our journey across 

 Dzungaria. The Kirei were indeed fortunate in the 

 possession of such a well-favoured winter resort. Great 

 belts of tall reeds sheltered them from the winds, groves 

 of poplar and willow supplied ample firewood, and 

 plenty of grass was to be found for their animals. There 

 should also be good pasture for sheep, judging by the 

 immense flocks we came across in that country. The 

 encampments were pitched in snug quarters amongst 

 the reeds and the poplars, so well protected as to be 

 almost hidden from view; their existence was quickly 

 discovered, however, by the presence of many golden- 

 eagles tethered to the higher branches of the poplar 

 trees. Inner Asia is the home of falconry, and 

 the natives not only use hawks and falcons, but 

 even train the great golden-eagles for the purpose of 

 hunting such large quarry as gazelle, foxes, and even 

 wolves. All these Kirei seemed prosperous in themselves 

 and rich in flocks. 



