368 WILD ANIMALS. 



winter monthsj but migratiBg to the mountain regions at tlie com- 

 mencement of the summer. The herds are invariably under the 

 command of a leader, which is generally a fine specimen of his race, 

 and in consequence is the one nearly always singled out by the 

 hunters. These asses are very shy and wary creatures, so that it 

 is difficult work to get within range of them, and their speed is 

 described by various writers as exceeding that of any other animal, 

 so that hunting them is a most exciting species of sport. 



Layard, during his researches around Mneveh, had frequent 

 opportunities of observing their habits, and he writes, " They 

 equal the gazelle in fleetness, and to match them is a feat which 

 only one or two of the most celebrated mares have been known 

 to accomplish." 



Xenophon the historian, when he accompanied the expedition of 

 Cyrus, 2000 years ago, saw in the same region herds of wild asses 

 so " fleet that the horsemen could only take them by dividing them- 

 selves into relays, and succeeding one another in the chase." 



This is the method still adopted by the tribesmen of Dagestan, 

 for the animals being far too knowing to be stalked, they have to 

 drive them. The huntsmen are posted singly at certain distances 

 apart on the flank of the line which is considered as the most likely 

 one for the herd to take on being disturbed. They are then started 

 by the first horseman, who endeavours to give them the right 

 direction. If he is fortunate enough to do so, the second hunter 

 relieves him in the chase when the nearest point to his station is 

 reached, who is himself relieved by the next one, and so on until 

 the animals become exhausted, or an accident brings one or more 

 of them within range. They are, however, so fleet that on the 

 level plains they can sometimes baffle even this mode of hunting, 

 and once they can get upon hilly or rocky ground, they can bid 

 defiance to all pursuers except the falcons that are sometimes 

 trained to assist the hunters. But it is among the hills that they 

 are generally killed, for being driven there they appear to fancy 

 they are safe from pursuit, and will stand and look back or 

 gaze on their pursuer from the summit of some crag or rock, 

 where they become conspicuous objects for the shot that lays 

 them low. 



