332 SIKKIM HIMALAYA. Chap. XIV. 



a peep of the temples above. Nightingales warbled deliei- 

 ously night and morning, which rather surprised us, as the 

 minimum thermometer fell to 27*8°, and the ground next 

 day was covered with hoar-frost ; the elevation being 6,580 

 feet. These birds migrate hither in October and November, 

 lingering in the Himalayan valleys till the cold of early 

 spring drives them further south, to the plains of India, 

 whence they return north in March and April. 



On the 2nd of January I parted from my friend, who 

 was obliged to hurry to the great annual fair at Titalya. 

 I regretted much being unable to accompany Dr. Campbell 

 to this scene of his disinterested labours, especially as the 

 Nawab of Moorshedabad was to be present, one of the few 

 wealthy native princes of Bengal who still keep a court 

 worth seeing ; but I was more anxious to continue my explo- 

 rations northward till the latest moment : I however accom- 

 panied him for a short distance on his way towards 

 Dorjiling. We passed the old Durbar, called Phieungoong 

 ("Bamboo-hill," so named from the abundance of a small 

 bamboo, " Phieung.") The buildings, now in ruins, occupy 

 a little marshy flat, hemmed in by slate rocks, and covered 

 with brambles and Andromeda bushes. A wall, a bastion, 

 and an arched gateway, are the only traces of fortifications ; 

 they are clothed with mosses, lichens, and ferns. 



A steep zigzag path, descending amongst long grass and 

 scarlet rhododendrons, leads to the Kay sing Mendong.* 

 Here I bade adieu to Dr. Campbell, and toiled up the hill, 

 feeling very lonely. The zest with which he had entered 

 into all my pursuits, and the aid he had afforded me, 

 together with the charm that always attends companionship 

 with one who enjoys every incident of travel, had so attracted 

 me to him that I found it difficult to recover my spirits. 



* Described at page 287. 



