SULIMAN HILLS, WEST OF DERA GHAZI KHAN. 205 



The main axis of the hill system of the Suliman ran^e 

 proper runs more or less north and south, and is flanked on 

 both sides, but only to a small extent on the east, by subordi- 

 nate ranges, which are formed of the crumpled and denuded 

 folds of rolling beds of nummulitic and more recent tertiary 

 rocks. 



The valleys running between these ranges are, for the most 

 part, tolerably fertile, though there is far from being anything 

 approaching to luxuriant vegetation. Wheat and other grain 

 crops are said to be of excellent quality. 



But few trees are to be seen, except where there may happen 

 to be a perennial supply of water. Even in such places they 

 are, for the most part, species of Acacia, Zizyphus, Capparis, and 

 the like, which do not require much moisture. A dwarf palm 

 (Chcemarops Ritchieanum) is rather common in the vicinity of 

 stream courses, and an olive (Olea feruginea, Royle) occurs 

 on the steep sides and the tops of hills. 



Such being the character of the physical features and vege- 

 tation, no very rich list of birds can be anticipated. . 



My collection Avas made chiefly in the vicinity of the newly- 

 established sanitarium, which is on the main Suliman range, at 

 an elevation of about 5,880 feet. Some of the birds noted were 

 observed at lower elevations or even in the plains. These I 

 shall specially distinguish : — 



6.— Neophron ginginianus, Daud. 



I did not collect any specimens of the Scavenger Vulture, 

 and have, therefore, nothing particular to record regarding it 

 save that it was more abundant in the Sulimans than in any 

 other part of India which I have visited. This was probably 

 due to the fact of the absence or extreme rarity of any of the 

 species of true Vultures. So far as I saw, Ravens and an 

 occasional Lammergeyer were the only other birds with which 

 it had to share- the carrion. 



7.— Gypaetus barbatus, L. 



I saw the Lammergeyer twice in the Sulimans. On both oc- 

 casions it was soaring about in the vicinity of the carcases of 

 dead animals. As I was riding along the line of march, I had 

 no opportunity of obtaining a specimen. 



17.— Tinnunculus alaudarius, Gm. 



I saw one Kestril in the highest part of the hills. The 

 species must be very rare there. 



