2 A. H. McMalion — Islotes on Fauna of Cliitral. [No. 1, 



drainage area of the Ohitral river and its numerous affluents as far 

 south as the junction of the Arnawai river with the main stream. 



Like Grilgit, it forms one of the most lofty tracts of country on the 

 surface of our globe. From the high glacier-bound valleys which take 

 their rise from Tirich Mir, 25,500 ft. and other lofty mountain peaks, 

 the elevation of the country decreases until as one descends the valleys, 

 the land of snow and glaciers is exchanged for barren hill sides, of rocky 

 cliffs and debris. Passing through the fringe of forest line, one de- 

 scends to the fertile alluvial plateaux of prehistoric river-beds through 

 which the present streams now run in deep narrow gorges. The lowest 

 elevation, i.e., of about 4,000 ft., is reached at the point where the Chitral 

 river leaves the Chitral district and thence onwards under the name of 

 the Kunar river flows through Asmar to join the Cabul river. 



The northern and eastern portions of Chitral are very similar in 

 character to the Gilgit country, and the conditions of life being the same, 

 the fauna is, as one would expect, much the same in both countries. 

 Further south and west however the rainfall is greater, and the hill 

 sides are consequently more covered with forest and vegetation than 

 those of the Gilgit District.* This naturally tends to an increase in the 

 number and variety of the fauna, and we find pheasants, monkeys, jungle 

 fowl, and leopard (Felis pardus)-\ which are not to be found elsewhere in 

 Chitral or Gilgit. I am told that the green parrot (I presume Palseornis 

 iorquatas) is to be found at the lower end of the Chitral valley. They 

 doubtless come up from the warmer climes of the Jalalabad and Kunar 

 valley. 



The neighbouring country on the west, Kafiristan, is very thickly 

 wooded, and from all accounts appears to be particularly rich in fauna of 

 all kinds. Zoological research in Kafiristan would doubtless give most 

 valuable and interesting results. It is to be regretted that such research 

 is at present out of the question. 



I proceed now to note on a few species of the Chitral Fauna. 



Mammalia. — The most numerous of the larger mammals in Chitral 

 are Ibex, Markhor and Oorial. 



Ihex. — {Gapra sihirica). These abound on or above the snow-line 

 throughout the higher and more elevated portions of the Cliitral country 

 and in the upper portions of all the valleys which join the Chitral 

 valley above Ohitral itself. They are not as far as I know to be found 

 in any valley below Chitral. 



* Somewhat similar conditions with corresponding results as to fauna prevail 

 ^in theCliilas tract on the S.-E. corner of the Gilgit District. . 



t As opposed to the snow, leopard (J^t'Zti! uijcia). 



