the former and one of the latter. Some little sand-inhabiting lizards (Phryno- 
cephalus frontalis) were secured, and also two varieties of non-poisonous snakes. 
These were Tropidonotus tigrinus, a green water snake, and Coluber dione, a 
brown species which inhabits the sand-hills and loess country. 
Some interesting insects were also secured, amongst others being a new 
flea and a new tick, both from one of the molerats. There was very little to 
record in the way of plant life. Elms and willows were the only trees noticed, 
while small patches of a sort of sage bush were scattered over the sand dunes. 
I found one sprig of parsley, whilst a very coarse and straggly grass existed in 
some parts. 
Yen-an Fu was the next place where I made collections. Between Yii-lin 
Fu and this city the country was very desolate and void of animal life. Not far 
from Yii-lin Fu a flock of bustards was observed. Elsewhere the common 
rock dove and stock dove were seen in large flocks. A few coveys of partridges 
were also noticed, whilst here and there a lonely golden eagle would be 
sighted. In the ravine bottoms some dippers were visible, and one was 
secured. Aspecimen of the peculiar wagtail-like bird called Henicurus sinensis 
was obtained at Shih-ts’ui-yi. 
The only mammals seen were two David's squirrels (Plate 49), both of 
which were secured, and a few hares. The latter were not observed till we 
were in the valley of the Yen Shui, close to Yen-an Fu. Here pheasants 
were very plentiful. 
At Yen-an Fu I again took to trapping with good results. I soon secured 
some more specimens of Cricetulus andersoni and Meriones auceps, both of which 
species were very common in the locality. Besides these I caught some 
specimens of the sulphur-bellied rat (Mus or Epimys confucianus luticolor), which was 
described from the locality. This rat seems to be a purely rock-inhabiting 
species, and is caught in the same places as David’s squirrel. It somewhat 
resembles the common brown rat, but is not quite so large, is of a conspicuous 
tawny tinge, and has much longer ears and tail. The latter is white towards 
the end, and on the under surface. The fur of the belly varies from a rich 
cream to a pale sulphur-yellow. The latter colour soon fades, however, 
in preserved specimens. This new subspecies was first discovered by me 
earlier in the same year. 
A field mouse (Apodemus agrarius pallidior) was also trapped. This mouse 
has a dark stripe down the middle of the back. It is usually to be caught in 
open bushy fields, either in the valleys or upon the hill-tops. Two or three 
specimens can usually be trapped at the same hole. 
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