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54 Animals Afghanistan is noted for its wild animals. The most im- portant of these are: the wolf, fox, hyena, wild dog, wild cat, jungle cat, common leopard, small Indian fox, mongoose, wild sheep, onager (wild ass), mole, talpidae, Indian shrew, collared-hedgehog, bats, jerboa, gerbit, deer, oorial, ibex, pica and hare. The wolves are particularly formidable during winter in the cold districts when the land is covered with snow, and they roam about in search of food. They often form packs and, coming down the hills, prowl near villages, frequently destroying cattle, sometimes even attacking men. They are said to run ahead of their victim, and with their hind legs throw up snow on his face and body, and, when they see that his hands and feet are benumbed by the effect of snow, they fall upon him and tear him to pieces. During winter one hears strange stories about the daring of this ferocious animal. The villagers use various methods to defend themselves when attacked. When one of them is pursued by a wolf, with no fire-arms to frighten him off, he generally follows this simple method to get rid of his enemy. Tying one of his shoes to the end of his turban, and holding the other end in his hand, he lets the shoe trail after him. The wolf coming nearer his victim is attracted by the shoe and tries to catch it, but finding it moving forward, leaps aside. So this continues; the shoe keeping the wolf occupied and at a respectable distance. Meanwhile the villager, if fortunate, reaches his destination, and the wolf, finding his life in danger, makes for the neighbouring hills. The bear is also very common in all the wooded districts, but it seldom quits its haunts. The bears are of two colours, black