196 



The Living Animals of the World 



whilst on tlie other hand it has numerous markings both on the front and hind legs. Naturalists 

 are, however, agreed that, although there may be certain small differences in the colour and 

 markings of the wild asses found in different localities of Northern Africa, such variations are 



o 



of no specific value, and only one species is recognised. 



The AFRICAN "Wild Ass is a fine animal, standing between 13 and 14 hands at the shoulder. 

 It li\'es in small herds or families of four or five individuals, and is not found in mountainous 

 districts, but frequents low stony hills and arid desert-wastes. It is as a general rale an 

 alert animal and difficult to ajuiroach, and so fleet and enduring that, excepting in the case 

 of foals and mares heavy in young, it cannot be overtaken even by a well-mounted horseman. 

 Notwithstanding the scanty nature of the herbage in the districts they frequent, tliese desert- 

 lired asses are alwavs in good condition. Tliey travel long distances to water at night, but 

 appear to require to drink regularly. Their flesh is eaten by the natives of the Soudan. The 

 brav of the African wild ass is said to be indistinguishable from that of the domesticated 

 animal, which latter is undoubtedly descended from the wild African breed. 



In Asia three \'arieties of the wild ass are found, which were formerly believed to 

 represent three distinct species; but since the points of difference between these varying forms 

 do not appear to be of specific value, all the local races of the Asiatic wild ass are now 

 considered to belong to one species. 



These wild asses have a wide range, and are met with in the deserts of Asia from 

 Syria to Persia and Western India, and northwards throughout the more arid portions of 

 Central Asia. 



In Tibet and ^Mongolia the wild ass inhabits the high mountain-] ilateaux, and lives at 

 elevations of 14,000 feet and upwards above the sea. This local race, known as the Kiaxh, 

 approaches in size to the African wild ass, standing 13 hands at the shoulder. It is dark 

 reddish brown in colour, with a verv narrow dorsal stripe. The Onager of Western India 

 and Baluchistan is a smaller and lighter-coloured animal, with a broader stripe down the 

 back. In parts of its range it is found at sea-level. In Persia and Syria a third local race 

 of wild ass is found, which, however, differs from the two forms already enumerated in no 

 essential particular. 



Like their African congeners, the wild asses of Asia are inhaliitants of the waste places 

 of the earth, frequenting desert iilains and wind-swept steppes. They are said to be so fleet 

 and enduring that, excejjt in the case of a mare hea\'y with foal, they cannot be overtaken 

 by a single horseman. 



The wild asses of tlie 

 desert plains of India and 

 Persia are said to be "\'ery wary 

 and difficult to approach, but 

 the kiang of Tibet is always 

 spoken of as a much more 

 confiding animal, its curiosity 

 being so great that it will 

 frequently approacli to within 

 a short distance of any un- 

 firmiliar oliject, such as a 

 sportsman engaged in stalking 

 other game. 



Asiatic wild asses usually 

 live in small families of four 

 or five, but s<nnetimes congre- 

 gate in herds. Their food 

 consists of various grasses in 

 the low-lying portions of their 



BALUCHI WILD ASS. 

 0110 of the Uuee leading ViU'ieties of the Asiatic wild ass. It is found in Western India 

 and Baluchistan. 



