CHAPTER XII. 



THE KYANG. 



Equus Hemionus. 

 In Thibet— Kyang. 



The Kyang can hardly be considered a game animal, but, as he is one of the most con- 

 spicuous beasts to be met with in Thibet, and is moreover interesting from being so closely 

 allied to the horse, he is certainly worthy of mention. There has been great discussion as to 

 whether he is a horse or an ass ; whatever scientific name he may receive, to the casual 

 observer he is as unlike one as the other. He belongs to the same family as the Zebra and 

 Quagga. 



Kyang are found all over the elevated plateaux and valleys of Thibet with which we 

 are acquainted. They are especially numerous in the neighbourhood of the Salt Lake, and 

 in the valley of the Indus below Hanle. When full grown, the Kyang attains the height of 

 about fourteen hands. He is strongly and compactly built, stands on short legs, and has 

 capital quarters and shoulders. His feet are tough and hard as iron, and appear to bear any 

 amount of battering on the rocky ground which he frequents. The worst point about the 

 Kyang is his disproportionately large and ugly head, which quite spoils his appearance, 

 which is otherwise extremely graceful. The prevailing color is a reddish brown, verging 

 into white on the lower parts of the body. The short hog-mane, dorsal stripe, and tail are 

 dark brown. The hair of the winter coat is very warm and thick-set, and rather woolly in 

 texture. 



The Kyang prefers the most barren and desolate plains in the vicinity of the lakes and 

 large rivers ; it seems to delight in the coarsest and most wiry pasturage, a description of 

 rough yellow grass, hard and sharp as a pen-knife, appearing to be its favorite food. Kyang 

 are usually found in small parties of four or five, but on being disturbed these parties will 

 join others until a large number are collected in one common herd. Later in the season, as 

 the foaling time approaches, the mares congregate in certain favorite localities, while the 

 old stallions are scattered about the hills, either solitary, or in twos and threes. 



No animal is a greater nuisance to the sportsman. Very inquisitive by nature, as soon 

 as Kyang observe a strange object they seem anxious to find out all about it ; and often, when 

 stalking, one is annoyed by a brute who snorts, cocks his ears, and then trots up to have a 

 look at one. Any of his friends who may be near at once follow his example, more distant 



