1839.] Lieut. Irwin s Memoir of Afghanistan. 1007 



pasturing tribes. In Bajour, the whole of Toorkistan, especially Bulkh, 

 and some other quarters, this bird is found in a wild state. The chief 

 prey of fowlers is the bird in India called chikor. Some Indian birds 

 are not to be found wild in Peshawur, far less beyond it, for instance 

 the peacock, and that which the English call the adjutant. The 

 parrot and myna are scarcely natives of Toorkistan, or at least of the 

 country beyond the Oxus. 



Quadrupeds. 

 147- The brown ground rat of India is well known in many quar- 

 ters of Khoorasan and Toorkistan. It prefers a sandy soil, and is a 

 formidable enemy to growing or ripe crops. The musk rat perhaps 

 does not extend to Cabul. The cold countries of Toorkistan and Khoo- 

 rasan, excepting Hirat, have not the squirrel. The monkey and mun- 

 goose are also not found in the same countries, except in Kushmeer, to 

 which the mole seems confined. Hedgehogs, porcupines, turtles, and 

 tortoises are generally diffused, as is the hare. White hares are chiefly 

 found beyond the Jaxartes. In Cabul only is the hare kept in a 

 domesticated state, and they may be purchased in the market for eight 

 annas. The rabbit is not found in these countries, India, or Persia. 



148. A variety of the cat is bred in Cabul, and some parts of Toor- 

 kistan. By us it is very improperly called c Persian,' for very few 

 are found in Persia, and none exported. The Cabulees call this cat 

 bubuk or boorrak, and they encourage the growth of its long hair 

 by washing it with soap and combing it. With respect to the 

 other species of the cat genus, the tiger is found as far as Tash- 

 kund, but in that temperate climate he falls much short of the 

 Bengal tiger in strength and ferocity. The lion is a native of 

 Persia, and some are found as far as Tashkund, in a northerly 

 direction and in an easterly. There remains no doubt of lions being 

 found in Hurriana; but in many of the intermediate countries this ani- 

 mal is very rare. Neither the lion nor tiger is found in the cold 

 climates, such as Kashkar and the Pamer. Leopards seem to prefer 

 cool hills. They are very common in the Kohistan of Cabul, but they 

 do not attack men. 



149. The wolf attacks man only when urged by excessive hun- 

 ger, and hence is the most formidable in cold countries and severe 

 winters. The jackal is known every where, except in the coldest and 

 driest districts. The fox of Toorkistan, and generally of the cold and 

 temperate countries, has all the cunning of the English, unlike the 

 puny fox of India. Chinese Toorkistan is the only market worth 



