18 



but we have to use him as we can until the expedition is over. There are dif- 

 ficulties hard to imagine on these trips. One special difficulty on this ex- 

 pedition is that of keeping provisions for the crowd. 



Aug. 4. Last night we caught two mammals in the traps, nos. 487-488. 

 One of our mammals, a hare, has been spoilt in skinning, and we have thrown it 

 away. Other mammal skins that are flat are inferior because we could secure no 

 boards on which to nail them. 



We left the Tibetan house in which we were living, and travelled what 

 is here called 20 li upstream. In central Szechuan it would be counted about 40 

 li. We are at the foot of a mountain which is capped with snow. Farther down 

 its sides, it has occasional snowdrifts, and still farther down are forests. In 

 some places the mountain-side is red because of blooming rhododendrons. There is 

 a large, level, open space at the base, through which the road nans. Here we have 

 pitched our tents. Clear, cold mountain streams flow through this clearing. 

 The clearing or open space is surrounded by forests of tall trees, mostly fir. 



Yesterday, Yang Fong Tsang went to Glen Long Shien with a letter from 

 me to the magistrate. We needed a riding animal and a pack animal, and we asked 

 the magistrate to secure them for us. Yang was to return yesterday, but did not do 

 so. We moved this morning. Yang Fong Tsang came into camp with the animals this 

 afternoon. Near Gien Long Shien he killed a wild parrot. There was a small flock 

 of them. He also got a snake and several other birds. Wang killed two birds, and 

 I killed two, both of which are woodpeckers. Yang Fong Tsang got another black 

 woodpecker with a red cap on its head. 



It rained much of the day, and still harder tonight after dark. 

 Aug. Secured mammals 489-90, and several birds. 



Yesterday, we all ate some mushrooms which our Chinese had gathered in 

 the woods. Several of us became sick, especially the hunter Yang. He was very 

 sick. He is a little better tonight. 



