1845.] Bough Notes on the Zoology of Candahar. 343 



and approach somewhat in appearance to the degenerate breed of 

 Bhotan dogs, such as is found in the lower hills of the Cis-Hima- 

 laya. Others are not very different from the common village dog of 

 India, except perhaps that the bark is more decided in its tones, and 

 the hair longer. These appear to be the mere effects of climate. 

 There are likewise Turnspits and Greyhounds : some of the latter 

 are good and fleet, with smooth short hair ; others are large and cloth- 

 ed with long silky hair. At Cabool, Pointers are said to occur ; but in 

 the more southern parts I saw none. 8 



true tabby, so common in Europe, is never seen in India : I mean the tabby with black 

 ground and broad pale streaks peculiarly disposed ; for the grey with black tiger-streaks is 

 found in both regions, only that the Indian are of a purer grey than the European. 

 The long-haired Kashmir Cats, when dark, are often of the same unstriped grey with 

 black dorsal streaks, feet, and tip of tail, as the Indian ; and, I think, I may add that 

 the Indian are more generally partially or almost wholly white, than is the case in 

 Europe. Wholly black Cats are certainly less common than in England. By the way, 

 Elphinstone states that Cats of the long-haired variety, called Borauk, are exported in 

 a great number from Afghanistan, bat are not numerous in Persia, where they are 

 seldom or never exported. — Cur. As. Soc. 



8. Lieut. Wood, in his ' Journey to the source of the Oxus,' p. 396, mentions a breed 

 of Dogs, at Kunduz, called Tazi, " which could not but have found favour in the eyes 

 of an English sportsman : it is a breed which, for strength and symmetry, vie with our 

 Greyhound, and in beauty surpass it." Also, he speaks of the " Spaniel, from Kutch, 

 and others of mixed breed, but possessing keen scent, and some of the qualities of our 

 pointers." Lieut. Wood also informs us (p. 374), that "the Wakhun Dogs differ much 

 from those of India, and bear a general resemblance to the Scotch Colly. They have 

 long ears, a bushy tail, and a frame somewhat slender, being better adapted for 

 swiftness than strength. They are very fierce, make excellent watchers, and will 

 fight dogs twice their own weight. Their prevailing colours are black or a reddish- 

 brown ; the latter often mottled. The breed is from Cbittrah, and so highly are their 

 game qualities valued, that the Scinde Ameers have their packs improved by 

 importations from this country." To my friend Mr. Vigne, we are indebted for a 

 description of " the Scinde hound, as it is usually termed, which," he remarks, "is a 

 race peculiar to the country, and considerable care, I believe, is bestowed upon the 

 breed. It is a large and fierce animal, smooth-haired and usually white, and with sharp 

 ears: a cross between a thorough-bred mastiff and a greyhound, would much resemble 

 it. In general figure, but with a more savage expression, it is not unlike a large Eng- 

 lish coach dog : an animal which, somehow or other, in the older books of Natural His- 

 tory, has obtained the name of the Harrier of Bengal. Although not probable, yet it 

 is not actually impossible, that the original breed may have been brought home by the 

 early European traders from the mouth of the Indus, and that the name may thus have 

 originated in a not unlikely confusion of localities." ' Travels in Kashmir,' &c. II. 

 411. The same gentleman gives a description of the magnificent sheep dogs of Kashmir, 

 (ibid, II. 149), which however would appear to be identical with the ordinary Tibe- 

 tan mastiff. Of this race, many are annually brought to Calcutta; and with them I 

 have seen a dog very nearly resembling the Exquimaux dog, which is found likewise in 

 northern Siberia, where, for purposes of draught, it is fast superseding the Rein-deer. — 

 Cur. As. Soc. 



