Cashmere and the Dras District. 221 



I frequently saw Dippers [probably Cinclus cashmiriensis , 

 Gould, — J. C] of a very dark grey, almost black, which 

 were constantly dashing into the water, remaining beneath 

 several seconds. They usually chose some back eddy 

 behind a large stone. Several pairs of Choughs {Pyrrho- 

 corax alpinus) were to be seen with the glass amongst the 

 hills ; and I once watched a pair for about an hour busily 

 employed in picking ticks from a large ibex which was 

 lying stretched out on a rock in the sun. During the first 

 fortnight in May I was generally out each day on the moun- 

 tains at a great elevation, and clambering over the most 

 l^recipitous ground after ibex. On one day, after a most 

 fatiguing stalk, my shikary at last gave me an awkward shot 

 down hill at 300 yards. The ball went between the creature's 

 legs, and the beast shuffled off up hill, like a huge shambling 

 goat. 



On one occasion I saw a musk-deer, which jumped up 

 close to me, and might easily have been shot, had it not 

 been for the risk of alarming any ibex within hearing on the 

 mountain. 



On the 12th 1 left Jashgaur for Cashmere and the lower 

 country, being at that time completely prostrated with 

 "height sickness,^' induced by the extreme rarity of the air 

 of those high altitudes. During the march back I was far 

 too ill to observe anything, and, when not on the march, 

 I was obliged to remain inside the tent. When in the Zogila 

 pass I noticed a Cuckoo seated on a boulder, but was not able 

 to get a very near view. 



May I'dth. During the last march through the Scind 

 valley noticed large flocks of the European Bee-eater {Merops 

 apiaster), one of which I procured. 



May 20th. When crossing the lake again, the reed-beds 



one would say that it was au example of the White-spotted Bluethroat. 

 Nevertheless, ou inspecting the white gorget, and especially on raising 

 the feathers, chestnut-coloured streaks down the shafts are plainly visible, 

 and that colour is evidently being assumed, although at a distance of two 

 A feet the keenest eye could not detect it. — II. Saunders.] 



