In company with Mr. Cobb, I left the main expedition at Kan-tsao-k’ou 
and hurried on to Yii-lin Fu, reaching that place on October 26th. Knowing 
from previous experience that trapping would be useless in this sandy region, 
I at once set the natives to work digging up specimens; and a comparatively 
good collection was thus made. The lateness of the season, however, 
interfered considerably with my work: many species of small mammals were 
already hibernating, and in this way we missed the Ordos hedgehog 
(Erinaceus miodon), and the common suslik or ground-squirrel (Cifellus 
mongolicus), (Plate 51). The first specimens brought in were some little sand- 
hamsters (Phodopus bedfordiz), (Plate 49). This species was first secured in 
this district in the spring of the same year by Mr. Anderson and myself. It 
was placed in the genus Cricefulus by Mr. Thomas, and named after Her Grace 
the Duchess of Bedford. Mr. Miller has, however, since made for this 
species a new genus, Phodopus, based upon some unique peculiarities in the 
foot of this little creature. A large series of specimens of this little rodent 
was obtained, and a photograph was secured as well. 
A single specimen of Cricetulus griseus was collected. This hamster 
closely resembles Anderson’s hamster in shape, size and appearance. It 
differs, however, in being of a lighter, more buffy colour, and also in having a 
black line down the middle of the back. The tail is considerably shorter, and 
the feet are more hairy in C. griseus than in C. andersoni. The latter is an 
inhabitant of the hilly or mountainous districts of Shansi, Shensi, and at least 
the eastern part of Kansu. C. griseus, on the other hand, is usually met with 
on the grassy or sandy plains on the borders of Mongolia. Both species differ 
greatly in appearance from Phodopus bedfordiz, though all three forms are 
characterised by the possession of large cheek-pouches opening into the 
mouth. 
A good series of the three-toed jerboa (Dipus sowerbyi) was secured, (Plate 
50). This jerboa, the only three-toed species hitherto recorded from China, 
was discovered by me in this region on my previous visit. A purely sand-loving 
animal, this jerboa inhabits the dunes which exist in, and on the borders of, 
the Ordos Desert. Like those of the sand hamster, its burrows are almost 
impossible to find. It is a question whether this species fills up the mouth of 
its burrows purposely, as do the American Dipodidz, or whether this is done 
naturally by the loose sand. It was too late in the year for me to investigate 
this problem, as the jerboa was hibernating. On my previous visit I often 
saw the tracks of this lively little creature in the sand. From these I 
gathered that the animal is capable of jumping eight feet. Two living 
83 
