242 Mr. E. Blyth on the different Animals known as Wild Asses. 
As regards the geographical distribution of the Kyang or 
Djiggetai, it does not appear that aught has been added to our 
knowledge since the time of Pallas; and the same may be re- 
marked of the distribution of the Ghor-khur or Koulan, except- 
ing that the proper habitat of the Hemippus has to be subtracted 
from that of the Koulan, and the supposed migratory habits of 
the latter are not confirmed by subsequent observation. In the 
depth of a Khiva winter, this animal was observed in numerous 
herds near the western extremity of Lake Aral, by Major James 
Abbott, who remarks that he “ascended some high land covered 
with snow. Wind scarcely endurable. We every day see herds 
of wild Asses, and flocks of the Saiga Antelope. I counted 
800 wild Asses in a single herd *.” According to Lieut. Irwin, 
it is “common in Persia, the western parts of Khorassan, and 
the plains of Turkistan, from which he extends north into the 
Russian dominions and the centre of Asia. A few are kept by 
the Ymacks, more for curiosity than use+.” Southward, they 
are still numerous in the parched and rugged deserts of Belu- 
chistan, which, however, are scarcely hotter than the country 
about the Aral in summer: there are many of them in the Pdt 
or desert between Asni and the hills, west of the Indus, above 
Mithur-kote. “In this desert,” remarks a recent writer, “ they 
are to be found wandering pretty well throughout the year; but 
in the early summer, when the grass and the water in the pools 
have dried up from the hot winds (which are here terrific), the 
greater number (if not all) of the Ghor-khurs migrate to the 
hills for grass and water. Some are probably to be found in 
the hills throughout the year, for among them are sandy plains 
of greater or less extent. The foaling season is in June, July, 
and August, when the Beluchis ride down and catch numbers of 
foals, finding a ready sale in the cantonments for them, as they 
are taken down on speculation to Hindustan. They also shoot 
great numbers of full-grown ones for food, the ground in places 
in the desert being very favourable for stalking. .. . Some are 
beautifully striped on the legs; many are mottled. J have seen 
one or two of a very dark colour. They have not generally the 
stripe on the shoulder, though I think I have seen some with it 
slightly marked{.” Eastward of the Indus, this animal appears 
to be fast verging on extermination ; and I am assured that one 
herd only is left in the Bikénir desert, where the foals are often 
run down; and Major Tytler’s specimens are from this locality. 
There are still a few also in the Runn of Cutch§. “The wild 
* Narrative of a Journey from Herat to Khiva, &c., i. 23. 
+ Journ. Asiat. Soe. viii. 1008. 
t India Sporting Review, n. s. iii. 172. 
§ From information obtained by Major Tytler, it appears that the 
