106 WANDERINGS OF A 



CHAPTER VI. 



Second Excursion to the Clior Mountain — Leopards and Tiger-cats — 

 Monkeys — Royal Falcon, Daurian Swallow, Himalayan Siskin and 

 Goldfinoli — Monal Pheasant Shooting — ^Wood-partridge — Small Birds — 

 Nutcracker — Black Bears — Green Woodpecker — Golden Eagle — Climatic 

 Influence on size of Birds — Sporting-bag — Redheaded Bullfinch — Elame- 

 coloured Flycatchers — Paradise Flycatcher — Thrushes — Fish-owl — Red- 

 starts — Lark-finch — Brown Water-ousel. 



We started on our second excursion to the Chor on the 24th 

 of Septeniber. The crops were cut, and the autumnal tint 

 was beginning to show on the leaves of the forest. In the 

 corn-fields about Thor we picked up a few common quail, and 

 one of the black-bellied species {Gotwrniac coromaTidelica), 

 which occasionally wanders up the valleys. Peafowl, 

 pheasants, and partridges were plentiful. We pushed on, 

 however, for the monal-shooting had been reported excellent ; 

 and we were full of hope, and anxious to engage in the 

 sport. 



Among the feline family frequenting this region of the 

 mountains the most common is the leopard. There seems, 

 however, to be some variety in the colour and size of the 

 individuals occasionally to be seen on the Dugshai ranges. 

 One variety is said to have fewer spots and a smaller head 

 than the other. I give the latter assertion entirely on the 

 authority of native sportsmen, who are often deceived by 

 appearances. They describe no less than five distinct 

 species: — 1. A fawn-coloured animal without spots, called 



