92 PHEASANTS. DAMP CLIMATE. 



order was represented by a new kind of tree-part- 

 ridge [Bonasia sp.) larger than ours with darker 

 plumage ; the rare Itaginis Gcoffroyi, the pheasant 

 {Phasianiis nov. sp.), and the tufted species [Cros- 

 soptiloii au7'itiim), a splendid bird, with plumage of 

 a leaden colour, which had attracted our attention in 

 the Ala-shan mountains. 



None of the waterfowl breed in the mountainous 

 region of Kan-su, and birds of passage are rare ; we 

 only found one kind of wader {Ibidorhynchus Stru- 

 thersii) in the pebbly beds of watercourses. 



On re-entering the mountains near Chertinton, 

 we moved from place to place, always selecting the 

 most favourable ground for encamping, and stayed as 

 long as was necessary in one spot. The daily rains 

 and excessive humidity greatly interfered with our 

 pursuits, increasing the difficulty of drying our plants 

 and skins, and obliging us to seize every opportunity 

 afforded by the short intervals of fine weather for the 

 preservation of our collection. 



The constant rains in the alpine zone wel'e often 

 accompanied by snow and frosts at night ; the birds, 

 too, were all moulting at this season, and hardly ten 

 per cent, of those we shot were fit for preserving. 

 But the plants, at all events in July, were in full flower, 

 and we secured 324 varieties out of 3,000 speci- 

 mens ; whereas we obtained only 200 birds. Insects 

 were very scarce, not only in the alpine region, but 

 even in the lower ground. This was certainly a 

 drawback to our entomological collection ; on the 

 other hand, we felt grateful for being spared the plague 



