SINO-MONGOLIAN FRONTIER 
and trapping, so that our collection began to 
reach pleasing proportions. 
This country we found to consist of the usual 
loess hills, but they were thickly covered with 
scrub and rapidly extending woods of birch, hazel 
and poplar. 
In some places the hillsides were covered with 
wild peach (Amygdalus davidiana), which was 
now in full bloom, and presented a wonderful 
sight. This peach is supposed to be the original 
stock from which all our many varieties have been 
derived. This however is not at all certain, as 
wild peaches have been found in other parts of 
Asia. It is very hardy, withstanding extremely 
low temperatures. The fruit is small and worth- 
less as a table delicacy, though it is greatly 
appreciated by squirrels and other rodents. 
The tracks of wild boars, roedeer, leopards 
and wolves were frequently seen, while pheasants 
were particularly plentiful. 
Some interesting birds were secured, amongst 
which were a large and handsome blue magpie 
(Urocissa sinensis), and the sweet-voiced timeline 
(Pomatorhinus gravivox). A single specimen of 
the grey-headed plover (Microsarcops cinereus), 
a large and elegant member of the family, was 
shot in one of the stream beds. 
The weather was now wonderfully mild, so that 
our thoughts began to turn towards the sandy 
stretches of the Ordos, and finally on April 6, 
13 
