SAIGA. 



341 



of time in this manner without stopping, as if to 

 take breath. It is said, that if bit by a dog, they 

 instantly fall down, without attempting to rise, 

 being entirely disabled through extreme terror. 

 In their flight they appear to incline to one side, 

 and their course is so rapid that they scarcely 

 seem to touch the ground with their feet. When 

 taken young they may be easily tamed, but when 

 caught at full age are so wild and obstinate as to 

 refuse all kind of food. 



These animals are hunted for the sake of their 

 flesh, horns, and skins, which latter are said to be 

 excellent for gloves, belts, &c. The hunters are 

 careful to approach them against the ^\dnd, lest 

 the animals should perceive them by their smell : 

 they also avoid putting on red or ^diite clothes, 

 or any colours which might attract their notice. 

 They are both shot and taken with dogs; and 

 sometimes by a species of Eagle trained to this 

 kind of falconry. 



No animal is more subject to vary in its horns 

 than this, but their remarkable colour and trans- 

 parency will always point out the species. The 

 females, like many others of this tribe, are desti- 

 tute of horns. Specimens of Saigas have some- 

 times been seen with three horns, and sometimes 

 with only one. 



The Black Eagle of Pennant. Brit, ZoqI. 



V. H. P. II. 



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