584 DZUNGARIA 



half the male population, each man being, according to 

 himself, a mighty hmiter, and the only one who really 

 knew where the game was to be found. Having selected 

 the two least noisy and pushing — ^who chanced to be 

 Kalmuks — we sallied forth. 



As we rode towards the foot-hills, which rose like a 

 white sheet beyond the dark scrub, the vegetation began 

 to grow thinner. It was composed of patches of thorn 

 about 5 ft. high, tall, coarse grass, and a few stunted 

 poplars, intersected by open glades. Our guides in- 

 formed us that any moment we might expect to see " kara 

 karuk " ; but, as there were yurts scattered around, 

 and Kalmuk boys were noisily herding cattle, it 

 hardly seemed a likely place for such shy animals as 

 gazelle. However, we noticed almost immediately, some 

 yellow forms which were moving about among the bushes. 

 They were only does and quite small bucks ; but, as 

 we wished to make certain of getting a few specimens, 

 and found them absurdly easy to approach, we shot 

 three between us. 



Then, leaving the men and horses behind, we soon 

 found some good bucks. Three of the best, all carrying 

 good horns of between 12 and 14 in. in length, were added 

 to the bag. There is no doubt that, if light had per- 

 mitted, several more could have been shot, since, in 

 addition to their numbers, the ground was ideal for 

 stalking, and they showed little fear of man. Like 

 ostriches, as long as they could not see us, they seemed 

 to consider themselves safe. When a shot was fired, 

 they would quickly trot away, and start feeding again 

 within a few hundred yards. The only accountable 

 reason for this stupidity is that, when in their summer 

 haunts, on the smooth, bare plains, they know well that. 



