NATURAL HISTORY AND SPORT IN THE HIMALAYAS. 289 
Punjab at least—in the cold weather. Just at dusk I put up a 
Goatsucker at the road-side, and regretted for its sake I had not 
my gun; I believe it was Caprimulgus monticolus. 
Near dusk we reached Capt. H.’s house, for I had more than 
once lost my way and been misdirected. I found that my host 
had that morning gone into Simla, but was expected back to a 
late dinner; so after a bath and change of raiment I summoned 
Mr. Gomez, and made him give an account of his proceedings 
during the week, for, as I have already said, I had sent him on 
ahead from Kussowlie with a spare gun, and had instructed him 
as to what in particular I expected, and wanted him to procure for 
me. He had been out in the forest daily, and had gathered 
together really a creditable assortment of birds; and had further- 
more engaged, subject to my approval, a well-known Shikaree. 
I soon made terms with the man, and he proved a valuable 
addition to our party. He was a very fair shot, and could 
preserve large birds or mammals. He knew every inch of the 
country all around; moreover, he promised to introduce me to 
Monaul and other game, and he was as good as his word. He 
would not take permanent service, though I would gladly have 
disbanded Mr. Gomez, and enlisted him. However, he pre- 
ferred a life of greater freedom, and had a wife and other 
encumbrances. I found him faithful and honest, and we became 
friends in our way very soon. He sent me afterwards many good 
contributions, birds and beasts, and refused payment, till I forced 
it on him. I also supplied him liberally with ammunition and 
arsenical soap. He came to Kussowlie next spring to see me, 
and a trip was arrauged for the far interior. I gave him a single 
barrel gun for some good heads he had preserved during the 
winter,—Tahr, Serow, Burrell, &c.,—and which he had brought 
to present to me. Poor Oosrao! that was the last I ever saw of 
him, for I heard of his death by small-pox a month afterwards, 
to my great regret. 
To resume. Mr. Gomez’s spoils included several examples of 
species new to my collection, although I afterwards got duplicates 
of most of them:—(1l) The black and yellow Grosbeak, Cocco- 
thraustes icterioides, I had never before seen, but recognised it 
readily ; and I got altogether ten specimens of it during the trip. 
It is most partial, as far as I have seen, to the pine-clad mountains, 
and is consequently common at Mahassoo. I found it also at 
