AGO RETURN TO TIFLIS. 



some cubs in captivity in Snanetian villages, but this was 

 the sum of tlie quadrupedal life which came under our 

 eyes. A few eagles and a great number of cuckoos, vocal 

 despite the lateness of the season, were the most remark- 

 able members of the feathered tribe which attracted our 

 observation. Nevertheless, those who may visit the Cau- 

 casus for the sake of sport will probably find it. A 

 S23ortsman, ambitious of a bullfight, will meet with a 

 worthy foe in the gigantic ' auruch,' which still haunts 

 the valleys west of Elbruz, and of which a stufied specimen 

 may be seen in the museum at Tiflis. 



That bears abound is proved by the complaints we heard 

 of their ravages, and by the frequency of their tracks ; 

 chamois and bouquetin must be sufiiciently numerous, if 

 the account given to Herr Radde, by the natives of the 

 upper Zenes-Squali, of a winter-drive on snowshoes, when 

 thirty-three were slain, may be believed. In the swamps 

 bordering the rivers that join the Terek, as well as in the 

 jungle of the Kur, wild boars make their lairs, and the 

 traveller obliged to spend the night at Mscheti is fre- 

 quently disturbed by the cries of wolves and jackals. 

 Pheasants still exist on the banks of their native river, 

 the Phasis, and are said to be so plentiful on the north of 

 the chain, as to be sold by the Russian soldiers to their 

 officers for fourteen copecks (or about fivepence) a brace. 

 Eadde gives an account of the snaring of ptarmigan in 

 Suanetia, where they are found upon the mountain- slopes 

 even in winter. In summer they raise their broods 

 within the forest boundary. 



Much as we wish to persuade travellers, and more 

 especially mountaineers, to abandon for a season their old 

 Swiss loves, and to start m quest of the fresher charms of 

 the hitherto-neglected maiden peaks of the Caucasus, we 

 must, in fairness, point out the principal difficulties that 



