SPORT AND SCIENCE ON THE 



asiaticus ordinalis), the hare {Lepus swinhoei sub- 

 luteus), and the North Shensi sulphur-beUied rat 

 (Epimys confucianus luticolor), and is undoubtedly 

 due to the general pale buff colour of their sandy 

 or loess surroundings. 



Amongst the most interesting species in the 

 collection were the three-toed jerboa (Z^z/jw^ sower- 

 byi), and the little sand hamster {Phodopus bedford- 

 ice), both of which inhabit exclusively the sands 

 of the Ordos, and both of which show to a marked 

 degree the light sandy colouring. On the other 

 hand species such as David's squirrel (Sciurotamias 

 davidianus), the three voles {Microtus Johannes, 

 M. (Caryomys) Inez and Craseomys shanseius), 

 the little wood pika (Ochotona sorella), the wood 

 mouse (Apodemus speciosus peninsulce), and Ander- 

 son's hamster (Cricetulus andersoni), all of which 

 inhabit the forested and mountainous districts 

 of Western Shansi, show none of this paling of 

 colour. 



Another interesting feature in the mammalia 

 of these regions is the extreme scarcity of Insecti- 

 vores. The only member of this group secured 

 on this journey was the hedgehog (Erinaceus 

 miodon), while the only other Insectivores hitherto 

 secured in or near the desert regions are the mole 

 (Scaptochirus gillesei) and a shrew (Crocidura sp.\ 

 from the T'ai-yiian Fu plain in Shansi. It is 

 interesting to compare the paucity of this class 

 of mammals on the north-western border of China, 



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