THE NEAR EAST 
we would call typical ibex ground — but in the smaller, lower, and 
consequently more barren, ranges, they depend on the wildness of the 
country owing to lack of inhabitants and, in some cases, to the ruggedness 
of the formation for their safety. In the case of the ibex, at any rate, it is 
not a criterion that the higher their habitat the larger their growth of horn. 
The little ranges of Western Anatolia have produced heads of 46 inches in 
length, but these are probably very few and far between. Good average 
heads are sure to be more numerous in the high country further east. It is 
uncertain whether the comparatively dry and barren ranges overlooking 
the Mesopotamian steppes contain as good heads as the Alpine region of 
Kurdistan, but it is quite possible that they do. 
A hunting trip into Far Eastern Asia Minor is much more of an under- 
taking than any short journey in Anatolia would be. The region which 
stretches along the Persian and Russian frontiers, under the rather 
broadly descriptive titles of Armenia and Kurdistan, is much more diffi- 
cult to approach and at times quite impracticable to travel in. The minia- 
ture ranges of Anatolia are here replaced by an Alpine mass of snow-capped 
chains, where beetling crags and deep -cut valleys are the home of wild 
tribes of mountaineers, and forms an ample hunting ground for anyone 
ready for rough work in order to procure a few fine trophies. 
Lake Van, which might be taken as the centre of that confused mass of 
mountains which fills up nearly the whole stretch of country between 
the Black Sea and the Persian Gulf along the Russian and Persian frontiers, 
is a good point for the hunter to make for in order to explore the surround- 
ing shooting grounds. Van can be reached by road from Trebizond on the 
Black Sea during the summer months, but the spring time would have to 
be avoided, for the track, at its best, is only an apology of a road, and snow 
lies late on the ranges which have to be crossed. The valleys are blocked 
with snow from the end of September until late March. Erzerum is known 
as the “ Siberia of Turkey,” with a mean winter temperature of 13 degrees 
Fahrenheit. The Trans-Caucasian railways bring the traveller to Erivan 
and Julfa, and from either of these places routes lead to Van. From Erivan 
is the best, for there is no trouble arising from a needless crossing of the 
Persian frontier. There is, however, another but longer route which 
avoids the highlands and the difficulties of Russian and Persian frontier 
regulations, such as the importation of arms and ammunition. This is 
to enter the Turkish Empire at Beirut in Syria, where it is an easy matter 
to arrange for the landing of a rifle and cartridges. From this town a 
17 
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