OF EASTERN TURKESTAN. Dit 
which I knocked over with a charge of BB shot. It is a fine 
bird and our servants call it a big Chicore ; it is certainly much 
more like a Chicore than a true Pheasant. The ascent to the top 
of the ridge was very steep along a narrow path in the snow. 
Here and there we passed over bits of ice which were very 
slippery ; even the yaks came down on their knees several 
times, but were up again in amoment. Near the Pass we 
passed two horses which had been abandoned ; the poor beasts 
stood knee-deep in the snow, facing the abyss down which they 
were soon to fall; they kept their eyes shut and their breathing 
did not seem to bein the least embarrassed. The Pass was 
very narrow, barely a path, and here I stopped to make the 
usual observations. Although not very high, the Sanju Pass 
is certainly the most difficult of all’ we have crossed. The 
temperature at noon was 27°5°, water boiled at 182-8°F. and 
the reading of the mercurial barometer was 16°353 (deduced 
height 16 558 feet). The weather was too hazy to admit of 
one getting much of a viewof the country to the north, but 
immediately below the ridge a succession of rolling dowha 
could be seen, covered with fine green grass. Near the top of 
the Pasy I saw several huge Lammergey ers (Gypetus barbatus) 
flying about, and while “descending “T'saw some of these birds 
and a Vulture (Vultur monachus 2) perched on some jutting 
rocks; but of course just because I happened to want it, my 
rifle was a long way behind. 
The descent, “although winding a good deal, was fearfully 
steep. I rode down much against my will: I incautiously 
mounted my yak on the Pass before I could well make out 
what the road down would be like, and once started the 
beast would not stop, but scampered down as fast as he could. 
Pulling at the rope which passed through his nose was no 
use ; indeed it only made the yak go faster. As the beast 
was usually led by this string he looked on any traction 
of it, no matter from what direction, as an intimation to 
him to increase his speed ; fortunately the yak was, as usual, 
wonderfully sure-footed. The country below consisted of ex- 
tensive undulating ground, covered with short grass, on’ which 
herds of yaks belonging ie the Kirghiz were feeding. Here 
I saw a great number of | Marmots; as one got near them they 
uttered a long melancholy howl and immediately disappeared 
into their holes. 
Our camp here (elevation 12,054 feet) is just in front of the 
summer camping ground of the Kir ghiz, the name Kichik 
Yailak signifying “small encampment ;’’ the round felt tents or 
“ Akot”’ of these nomads are very comfortable. The Kirghiz are 
very familiar, but as to the question of whether they are tobe 
H 
