300 L"EH AND LADAK. 



Waterfowl are not numerous in this country, there 

 being no ' jheels ' or feeding grounds for them apparently. 

 But in Chan- than and Roopschoo, where these qualifica- 

 tions are plentiful, they abound. In Cashmere, at this 

 season, they swarm in the lakes and rivers ; snipe also 

 are numerous, and that splendid bird, the woodcock, 

 not rare in the jungles ; so that, what with pheasants and 

 partridges, the shot- sportsman may find ample amuse- 

 ment. Should I obtain my extension, I must try a day 

 or two by way of experiment to see what there really is 

 to be got. 



30th September. Sunday. An exceedingly sharp 

 frost. I took a stroll, morning and evening ; the weather 

 all that could be desired, and scenery magnificent, though 

 monotonous in colour. The remains of an extensive 

 fort crown the lofty height immediately over the village. 

 One is led to wonder under what condition of circum- 

 stances this small valley could have been of sufficient 

 importance to be worth such a considerable defensive 

 work. Many like ruins are met with in these valleys, 

 mostly perched on inaccessible rocks. The shikarries 

 not reliable historians tell me that the population gen- 

 erally inhabited these strongholds, prior to the conquest 

 of Lower Thibet by Grolab Sing, being subject to frequent 

 inroads and depredations by roving bands of freebooters. 

 So, in fact, I suppose that the cultivators of every one of 

 these strips of valleys retired from their daily labours to 

 the security of these forts, their only residence. 



I enjoyed my day's halt and repose, and took the 

 opportunity of pointing out to the shikarries and others 

 assembled round the fire the wisdom and beneficence of 

 the Sabbath ordinance, well exemplified in the enjoyment 

 displayed by the coolies and horses in this respite from 

 their toils. I tried to describe a Sunday in England, with 



