Page:Mongolia, the Tangut country, and the solitudes of northern Tibet vol 2 (1876).djvu/213

Rh Solitary yaks always trot, and never gallop more than a few paces from the spot whence they have been disturbed. They may be easily overtaken by a horseman, at whatever pace they may be going. They climb nimbly over the loftiest and rockiest mountains, and we have seen them in places where no other animal, unless it were the kuku-yaman, could find a footing.

In winter large herds repair to the places where pasturage is most abundant, while solitary bulls or small troops may be seen in all parts. We first saw single animals soon after crossing the Burkhan Buddha, but it was not until we came to the Baian-kara-ula, and particularly on the southern slope of this range, that we saw herds of them, and again, in the valley of the Murui-ussu; previously we had seen two small troops near the river Shuga.

The Mongols told us that in summer, when the tender young grass shoots up, large herds of yaks visit the Burkhan Buddha, roaming from place to place, but always returning for the winter to the banks of the Murui-ussu; old bulls, which dislike making long journeys, remain all the year round at the same place. Indolence is a prominent trait in their character. They feed morning and evening, passing the rest of the day in unbroken repose, either lying or standing; at such times the only sign of life they show is in chewing the cud, otherwise they are as motionless as statues, even keeping the head in one position; and this for hours together.

They always select the coldest spot they can