There were some interesting birds in the vicinity. I collected some 

 prettily coloured timelines, including a large dusky one named Dryonastes 

 perspicillatus. A beautiful Chinese representative of the common jay (Garrulus 

 sinensis) was also secured, besides the graceful blue magpie {Urocissa sinensis), 

 the tiny wren {Anorthura fumigata), the green woodpecker (Gecinus canus), and 

 the redstart {Phoenicurus auroreus). The beautiful sweet-voiced wall-creeper 

 {Tichodroma muralis) was also seen, but I failed to secure a specimen. The 

 golden eagle, pheasant, and partridge were again met with. 



In the mountain-stream that flowed down the ravine I caught an 

 interesting freshwater crab {Fotamon sp.) and some small fish too young to 

 identify. In the ravine were numerous varieties of ferns, mosses, and rock 

 plants, while here and there in sheltered nooks were small clumps of dwarf- 

 bamboo. 



After leaving this locality my collecting work was discontinued till the 

 beginning of May. I hastened to Ho-nan Fu , where I received word to go to 

 Hankow to meet Mr. Clark. On the road between Hsi-an Fu and Ho-nan 

 Fu I saw great numbers of geese and ducks. At Ho-nan Fu I was told of 

 great forests in the mountains a few miles southward where, the natives said, 

 flying squirrels, monkeys, and bears were abundant. 



Mr. Clark and I returned from Hankow with all speed, and early in May 

 left Hsi-an Fu for Lan-chou Fu. Along the road I shot some ground 

 squirrels {Citellus mongolicus), (Plate 51), and a single chipmunk, which resembled 

 that from Yii-lin Fu in the pale colour of its pelt. Travelling at the rate we 

 were, there was no opportunity of trapping. Such specimens as were 

 obtained were shot near the road. 



As the greater part of the country in Kansu was suffering from a protracted 

 drought, there was little to be seen, hares, squirrels, chipmunks, foxes, and 

 some roedeer being the only mammals noticed. Pheasants, partridges, snipe, 

 and a few small waders were seen from time to time. 



We reached Lan-chou Fu, in Kansu, on May 24th. While here I tried 

 to induce the natives to bring in specimens, but without success. Five 

 specimens of Citellus mongolicus were the only things obtained. The country 

 had been suffering from a severe drought for three years, and no doubt this 

 had much to 'do with the scarcity of animal life. 



About the middle of June I went south to some mountains where 

 conditions were a little better. Though I trapped and shot on several 

 days, the only specimen secured was one of Apodemus speciosus. I might here 

 draw attention to the great range of this species. On the present expedition 



91 



