THE ASIATIC STEPPES AND THEIR FAUNA. 119 



which are not superior in force, he permits no quarrelling among 

 his followers, and tolerates no rival, indeed no other adult male in 

 the herd. In every district which the kulans frequent, solitary 

 individuals are to be seen unaccompanied by any troop; they are 

 stallions which have been vanquished and driven off after furious 

 and protracted combats, and which must roam about alone until 

 the next breeding season. In September they again approach the 

 herds, from which the old stallion now drives off the newly -matured 

 stallions, and a fierce battle begins when they catch sight of an 

 opponent. For hours at this season they stand on the crests of 

 steep ridges, with widely-open nostrils raised to the wind, with 

 their eyes on the valley before them. As soon as the banished 

 one sees another stallion, he rushes down at full gallop, and fights 

 to exhaustion with both teeth and hoofs. Should he conquer the 

 leader of a herd, he enters upon his rights, and the mares follow 

 him as they did his predecessor. After the battles are over 

 comes the time of wandering, for the hard winter drives the herds 

 from one place to another, and it is only when spring has fully 

 come that they return to their old quarters. Here, in the end of 

 May or in the beginning of June the mare brings forth her foal, 

 which in every respect resembles that of the domestic horse — a 

 somewhat awkward-looking, but very nimble and lively creature. 

 We had the good fortune to be able to make its acquaintance. 



On climbing one of the elongated hillocks of these desert- 

 steppes, we suddenly saw at a short distance three old kulans and 

 a foal, which seemed to be only a few days old. Our Russian com- 

 panion fired a shot, and away rushed the wild horses, with their 

 hoofs scarce touching the ground, yet exerting their incomparable 

 agility almost with the ease of play, and obviously keeping them- 

 selves in check for the sake of the foal. Down rushed all the 

 Kirghiz and Cossacks of our company; our attendants, carried away 

 with the general excitement, also gave chase; and down we also 

 rushed. It was a wild chase. Still playing with their strength, 

 the wild horses made for the distant mountains, while all the riders 

 urged on their steeds to their utmost, till their bellies seemed almost 

 to touch the ground. The desert resounded with the jubilant 



