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 tigrims, 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. A specimen 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 Bpimys confucianus luticohr), 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. 



M 



