32 THE ASIATIC WILD ASS. 



description of its habits wlien in subjection to man we 

 must turn to tbe very graphic account of the example 

 formerly living in the Zoological Glardens, Regent^s 

 Park, which was written by Major W. E. Hay, who 

 received it as a present from the Chinese Governor of 

 Rudok, a hill fort situated beyond the Pang Kong in Little 

 Tibet. 



Major Hay had endeavoured to procure two Tibetan 

 dogs of enormous size, of the same breed that was 

 described by Marco Polo as being of the size of donkeys. 

 One of these, however, had died, and the person deputed, 

 thinking Major Hay would prefer a kiang to a dog, secured 

 the former. At that time it had never been haltered or 

 handled. It was said to have been caught in a pit, and 

 was much attached to a white Chumurti ghoont, which it 

 would follow ; but this animal being claimed by a Tibetan 

 lama, Major Hay purchased a Tibetan mule to keep the 

 kiang company. With this it did not agree, and the mule 

 led anything but a happy life. The kiang would, however, 

 follow it, and was always restless unless it had some equine 

 animal in company. 



It always showed the greatest aversion to pass over any 

 insecure wooden bridges, and, when its companion had 

 passed over a bridge, would wait until it saw that it had 

 gained the opposite bank, and then would fearlessly plunge 

 into the most rapid stream, and usually make a nearly 

 straight course across. In leaving Kullu for Simla it had 

 to cross the River Biass, which was then a foaming torrent. 

 It plunged in, but was carried down the stream several 

 hundred yards, and landed upon an island, where it re- 

 mained quietly until the following morning, when the mule 

 was sent across to tempt it to follow to the shore, which it 

 did. The Sutlej was at this season so full, and running at 



