SINO-MONGOLIAN FRONTIER 



and trapping, so that our collection began to 

 reach pleasing proportions. 



This country we found to consist of the usual 

 loess hills, but they were thickly covered with 

 scrub and rapidly extending woods of birch, hazel 

 and poplar. 



In some places the hillsides were covered with 

 wild peach {Amygdalus davidiana), which was 

 now in full bloom, and presented a wonderful 

 sight. This peach is supposed to be the original 

 stock from which all our many varieties have been 

 derived. This however is not at all certain, as 

 wild peaches have been found in other parts of 

 Asia. It is very hardy, withstanding extremely 

 low temperatures. The fruit is small and worth- 

 less as a table delicacy, though it is greatly 

 appreciated by squirrels and other rodents. 



The tracks of wild boars, roedeer, leopards 

 and wolves were frequently seen, while pheasants 

 were particularly plentiful. 



Some interesting birds were secured, amongst 

 which were a large and handsome blue magpie 

 (TJrocissa sinensis), and the sweet- voiced timeline 

 (Pomatorhinus gravivox). A single specimen of 

 the grey-headed plover (Microsarcops cinereus), 

 a large and elegant member of the family, was 

 shot in one of the stream beds. 



The weather was now wonderfully mild, so that 

 our thoughts began to turn towards the sandy 

 stretches of the Ordos, and finally on April 6, 



13 



