CENTRAL ASIA 
The gazelles of Inner Asia are a study in themselves, so much do they 
vary in the different localities. The steppes of Russian Turkestan, of 
Southern Siberia, of Dzungaria and Chinese Turkestan are inhabited by 
one type — the Gazella subgutturosa , or goitred gazelle. Broadly speaking, 
this type can be divided into three fairly well pronounced varieties, accord- 
ing to their geographical distribution. In the west, throughout Trans- 
caspia and Russian Turkestan, is the typical subgutturosa; in Dzungaria, 
about the centre of its range, is a slightly larger form named sairensis; 
it is presumed that the gazelle of the Southern Gobi belongs to this variety 
and not the Chinese Turkestan race, which is distinguished as Gazella 
yarcandensis. They are all more or less the same size, averaging about 
27 to 28 inches at the shoulder, and are distinguished from other Asiatic 
gazelle by having long black tails. The horns average about 13 to 14 inches 
in length, the record length for the western and Dzungarian races being 
15f inches, while those from the Tarim basin run to 17 inches.* 
During an expedition into Central Asia, the hunter is sure to come 
upon gazelle at some place or other. It is generally where they are least 
expected that they turn up, for one is always told that there are jeran in 
numbers on every bit of plain one crosses, but they are seldom or never 
seen. Success with the gazelle depends almost entirely upon the season. 
In mid -summer they may be got with certainty if trouble is taken to visit 
some isolated water -hole in the heart of the desert. This is a laborious and 
often unpleasant task, but it is the only way to make certain of finding them 
during the hot months. In spring they are on the move to the foothills 
and rising ground that fringe the plain. The new grass attracts them in 
great numbers. The knowledge of a locality where the first spring grass 
comes up is sure to result in plenty of sport with gazelle. For instance, 
where the low Bokharian steppes rise to meet the first foothills of the moun- 
tain area, such as in the neighbourhood of Karshi and the Nurata Dagh, 
the early spring first makes itself felt and the gazelle come in troops to 
feed on the young grass. 
Away at the eastern limit of the range of this species, on the rolling 
plateau to the west of Barkul, we have seen gazelle in hundreds in the month 
of April. This was at an altitude of 7,000 feet above the sea. In Chinese 
Turkestan the gazelle approach close to cultivation at the foot of the moun- 
tains. They can generally be out -manoeuvred by careful driving. 
In the winter the gazelle retreat to the lowest portions of the plains, 
X 
See Rowland Ward’s Records of Big Game, 1914 edition. 
153 
