Mammals of the 1921 Mount Everest Hxpedition. 179 
Voles.—This group of rodents is likely to produce quite 
a number of further interesting forms, from all elevations. 
They are commonly found in highland meadows, and wherever 
mouse-holes are seen traps should be set—or, better still, 
possible, attempts should be made to dig some out. The 
object of this is that as many specimens as possible should be 
obtained with unbroken skulls, as the series of this yeai’s 
collecting has been very unfortunate in the extent to which 
the skulls have been broken by the traps. No effort shoul 
be spared to avoid breaking the skulls of any specimens 
captured, while any dried-up derclict careases that might be 
found should always be brought, as these would probably 
possess unbroken skulls. ‘his note applies equally to all 
other forms of mammalian life. 
As voles are difficult animals to induce to enter traps, it 
may be noted that for them bulbs of all sorts, including 
onions, are commonly a very attractive bait. 
Mav mots.—Owing to an unlucky accident, Mr. Wollaston 
did not obain any adult marmots, and these are likely to be of 
decided interest. Assertions have been made as to a differ- 
ence between the marmots of the northern and southern slopes ; 
but no specimens suitable for testing the question are as yet 
available. Quite a number of skins from all localities and 
altitudes would be acceptable. 
Rats.—Rats or rat-like rodents are stated to have been 
seen at the very highest elevations, and to have come into 
the tents to steal food. Unfortunately none were captured, 
and it is certain that examples of whatever animal this was 
would be of the greatest interest. It may possibly have 
been some form of mountain-vole, but is, in any case, nearly 
certain to be new to science. 
We would add that, while the attention of a mountain 
expedition is naturally fixed on the higher altitudes, our 
knowledge of the animals of the lower levels is very far 
from complete, so that specimens from all places at all levels, 
whether near Darjiling » in the Chumbi Valley, or on the 
elevated plains of ‘libet, whether rats and mice, moles, shrews, 
bats, hares, weasels, or any other mammals, are all of the 
utmost interest to scientific workers, and are likely to include 
many forms new to our present list of Himalayan mammals. 
Finally, we may note that the 1921 Expedition has just 
not surpassed in its collection of mammals the altitude (17,900/) 
recorded for a Peruvian mouse by Thomas in 1900, Ald we 
shall look to future expeditions to repair this omission. 
Wollaston’s Pika was seen and handled at 20,000’, but no 
specimens from that altitude were brought home. 
12# 
