probable that these were attempts at escape, for even when
wounded and at close quarters the daunk will make every
endeavour to escape. When a herd obtains the scent of a
human being, they all rush together and remain thus with
their heads towards the threatened danger, until the obnoxious
smell has vanished and their fears are allayed. Oddly
enough, they are not much alarmed at the sight of a man,
and, should he be in a kneeling or crouching position, will
often take no notice of him whatever. When once thoroughly
alarmed, they move away at a trot and a gallop, their tails
waving from side to side, keeping this pace for hours and
never halting until many miles of country have been covered
and a place of safety found.
The eyesight of the daunk is commonly believed to be
bad, but it is really excellent, and many a fine beast owes his
life to this fallacy. Their powers of hearing are only fair,
but it is in their marvellous gift of scent that they surpass
all animals on the Chang; they can wind a man at a
distance of four or five miles. They are wonderful climbers,
and however rough the ground may be, it never seems to
affect their rate of progression.
The cows are smaller than the bulls, and usually give
birth to their young about tbe last week in June.
The grubs found in the kiang and antelope also infect
the daunk, living under the skin on both sides of the
spine. These animals are sometimes shot by the nomads, but
are more often trapped, being caught by the foot in a similar
but stronger trap to that used for snaring antelopes.
Their flesh makes fair eating if kept for a considerable
time, but in my opinion the soup made from the
feet is much overrated. The tails form a considerable
article of commerce, and are in great demand for the weddings
of wealthy natives of India.
The horns do' not depend for their length on the age of
the animal, but probably on his health and strength and the
nature of the grazing-grounds. Short horns are usually
chick, and long ones thin. The record pair measures, I
believe, thirty-nine inches. W i l d Y a k .