114 A CONTRIBUTION TO THE ORNITHOLOGY 
Chicore were very plentiful to-day, and both their nestlings and 
eggs were obtained. A nestling of Linota brevirostris was 
captured close to our camp here; and Phylloscopus tristis, the 
Hoopoe and Raven have all been common to-day. 
31st.—Across Portash Pass.—On leaving camp this morning 
we began asteep climb over loose stones, and soon found ourselves 
riding over gently ee ground, formed apparently by a series 
of moraines. Near last night’s encampment I saw Columba 
rupicola flying about, and Linota brevirostris was common in the 
little bushes ; but on the bare shingly ground of the pass only 
the Raven, Montifringilla hematopygia and Ruticilla erythrogastra 
were seen—the latter bird being particularly numerous. The 
advance party of the camp saw a herd of the Kyang or wild 
ass, and the blue-rumped hare was tolerably numerous during 
the day. 
The rise along the broad flat-looking valley, with its low 
bare hills on each side, was so very gradual that it was 
difficult to determine the highest point of this very easy pass 
without several experiments by means of the barometer. When 
we did find the highest part of the Portash (rotten stone”) pass 
at 12 o'clock, the mercurial barometer stood at 16°176 (result- 
ing height, a little over 17,000 feet above sea-level) ; the tempera- 
ture of the air was 48°; and the wind was blowing along the 
valley, from the south-west. From that point we had a long 
ride over flattish ground, scarcely decreasing our elevation at 
all. Yuzbashi Zarif rode along with me, conversing on many 
topics; but I could well have spared his company, as the rare- 
faction of the air affected me, and I began to suffer from head- 
ache which gradually became intense. 
At last we reached a point where a pile of stones indicated 
what the traders who have travelled this way consider to be the 
pass (but which was found to be really lower than the point I 
have previously mentioned), and from there a short but steepish 
descent, over soft sandy ground, landed us at our camp, Akin— 
elevation about 16,600 feet. Violent headache increased by the 
slightest movement. 
lst September.—Darwaza Sarighot 15,900 feet.—Fearful 
sufferings during the night at Akin. This morning I was so 
pr ostrated that I could not ride, nor even dress. Came alone 
on a charpoat which was carried by a couple of horses attached 
fore and aft. Yuzbashi Zarif took his leave of us this morn- 
ing; in bidding me good-bye he said very solemnly that he 
entrusted me to God’s care. The only birds noticed on the road 
were the attendant Ravens and Guldenstadt’s Redstart. 
2nd.— Balti Brangsa, 16,800 feet.—Sulficiently recovered to be 
able to ride the march to-day, and in the evening I hardly felt 
