128 ACROSS MONGOLIAN PLAINS 



meadowlands between Kalgan and Panj-kiang on the 

 south, or between Turin and Urga on the north, ac- 

 cording to our observations ; they keep ahnost entirely 

 to the Gobi Desert between Panj-kiang and Turin, and 

 we often saw them among the "nigger heads" or tus- 

 socks in the most arid parts. The Mongolian gazelle, 

 on the other hand, is most abundant in the grasslands 

 both north and south of the Gobi, but nevertheless has 

 a continuous distribution across the plateau between 

 Kalgan and Urga. 



On our northward trip in May, when we took motion 

 pictures of the antelope on the Panj-kiang plain, both, 

 species were present, but the goitered gazelle far out- 

 numbered the others — ^which is unusual in that locality. 

 It could always be distinguished from the Mongolian 

 gazelle because of its smaller size, darker coloring, and 

 the long tail which it carries straight up in the air at 

 right angles to the back; the Mongolian antelope has 

 an exceedingly short tail. The horns of both species 

 differ considerably in shape and can easily be distin- 

 guished. 



During the winter these antelope develop a coat of 

 very long, soft hair which is light brown-gray in color 

 strongly tinged with rufous on the head and face. Its 

 summer pelage is a beautiful orange-fawn. The win- 

 ter coat is shed during May, and the animals lose their 

 short summer hair in late August and early September. 



Both species have a greatly enlarged larynx from 

 which the goitered gazelle derives its name. What pur- 

 pose this extraordinary character serves the animal, I 



