Journey in Fars, S.TV. Persia. 515 



very difficult travelling through an unknown country inter- 

 sected by narrow gorges. At one place near Bija, in two long 

 days of hard work we advanced only some ten miles. From 

 Chinar to a point near Bija, the altitude ranged from six 

 to nine thousand feet above sea-level. After Bija it began 

 gradually to decrease, and the rocky ridges and gorges gave 

 way to gentler slopes, until at a little beyond Basht the 

 oak-woods ceased and we reached some plains at rather over 

 3000 feet. 



Here, as will be seen from the map, we doubled on our 

 former tracks. It was the middle of June, the corn was cut 

 and the country was parched, and for the most part burning, 

 the smoke being so dense that the hills were hidden from 

 view. In the mountains a cool breeze was generally blowing, 

 so that although the sun was powerful the temperature in the 

 shade rarely exceeded 90° Fahr., while at night it averaged 

 40° to 50°, and at the end of April sank as low as 21°. On 

 reaching the plains it will be understood that we felt the heat 

 intensely, and therefore travelled by night straight to the coast. 

 By means of forced marches, which involved some exciting 

 experiences with the muleteers, we managed to reach Bushire 

 in time to catch the steamer which left for Bombay on 

 June 23rd. Our homeward voyage was none too pleasant, the 

 damp heat of the Persian Gulf being very trying, while in 

 the Indian Ocean we were treated to some heavy monsoon 

 weather. 



I must not omit to state that throughout our journey 

 Mr. Camburn proved a most admirable assistant and com- 

 panion. The skins which he made, often under most adverse 

 conditions, have justly met with universal admiration. 



In addition to friends I have already mentioned, I have to 

 thank Dr. W. T. Blanford, F.U.S., ami Mr. W. R. Ogilvie- 

 Grant for having recommended S.W. Persia to me as an 

 ornithological hunting-ground; Mr. B. T. Flinch, C.I.E., 

 Mr. C.A. Buchanan, and Major P. Molesworth Sykes, C.M.G., 

 for much help and advice before I started from England ; 

 Dr. and Mrs. J. .Scott, of Shiraz, and various officials of the 

 Indo-European Telegraph Depart incut lor their kindness in 

 Persia. 



