The Mirza says (l.c. p. 157) that the mountains of Wakhan "are only noted
for producing a breed of hawks or falcons which the hardy Wakhanis manage
to catch among the cliffs. These hawks are much esteemed by the chiefs of
Badakhshan, Bokhara, etc. They are celebrated for their swiftness, and
known by their white colour." - H. C.]
NOTE 6. - These wild sheep are probably the kind called Kachkar,
mentioned by Baber, and described by Mr. Blyth in his Monograph of Wild
Sheep, under the name of Ovis Vignei. It is extensively diffused over
all the ramifications of Hindu-Kush, and westward perhaps to the Persian
Elburz. "It is gregarious," says Wood, "congregating in herds of several
hundreds." In a later chapter Polo speaks of a wild sheep apparently
different and greater. (See J. A. S. B., X. 858 seqq.)
NOTE 7. - This pleasant passage is only in Ramusio, but it would be heresy
to doubt its genuine character. Marco's recollection of the delight of
convalescence in such a climate seems to lend an unusual enthusiasm and
felicity to his description of the scenery. Such a region as he speaks of
is probably the cool Plateau of Shewa, of which we are told as extending
about 25 miles eastward from near Faizabad, and forming one of the finest
pastures in Badakhshan. It contains a large lake called by the frequent
name Sar-i-Kol. No European traveller in modern times (unless Mr. Gardner)
has been on those glorious table-lands.
