16 



NATURAL SIS TOST. 



the fears of those immediately around could procure by pressing outwards. The foremost of these- 

 vast columns are fat, and the rear exceedingly lean while the direction continues one way; but 

 with the change of the monsoon, when they return towards the north, the rear become the leaders, 

 fattening in their turn." 



The SAIGA* and CHIRU t differ from the Gazelles but slightly, and approach the Sheep ; the 

 former belonging to Eastern Europe and Western Asia, the latter to Tibet. 



The Saiga is as large as a Fallow Deer, tawny yellow in summer, light grey in winter ; being 

 specially peculiar about the nose which is much lengthened, at the same time that the nostrils are 

 expanded to such a degree that in feeding they have to walk backwards. The horns, found only 



INDIAN ANTELOPE. 



in the males, are not a foot long, slightly lyrate, and annulated. In its native haunts which are- 

 barren, sandy, and salt it assembles frequently in vast herds. It runs rapidly when pursued, but 

 is soon exhausted. 



The CHIRU is slightly smaller, of a reddish fawn colour, with the face and front of the limbs 

 black. The slender jet-black horns, very small in the female, are ringed nearly to the tips, curved 

 forward, and about two feet long. From Captain Kinloch's account we learn that " in the early part 

 of the summer the Antelope appears to keep on the higher and more exposed plains and slopes where 

 snow does not lie ; as the season becomes warmer, the snow which has accumulated on the grassy 

 banks of the streams in the sheltered valleys begins to dissolve, and the Antelope then comes down to 

 feed on the grass which grows abundantly in such places, and then is the time that they may most 

 easily be stalked and shot. They usually feed only in the mornings and evenings, and in the day-time 

 seek more open and elevated situations, frequently excavating deep holes in the stony plains in which 

 they live, with only their heads and horns visible above the surface of the ground." 



Saiga tartarica. 



{ Panthalops Hodgsoni. 



