BIOLOGICAL WORK
The biological work done on the journey made by Mr. Anderson and myself
through Shensi, along the Ordos border and back into Shansi, resulted in
some very interesting discoveries. No fewer than eight new species and
five new subspecies were described by Mr. Oldfield Thomas of the British
Museum from our collection of mammals. The descriptions of these,
together with the names of and notes on the other twenty species
represented, were published in the _Proceedings of the Zoological
Society of London_, 1908, pages 963 to 983. A detailed list would
therefore be superfluous here, though the following general remarks may
be of interest to the reader.
As Mr. Thomas pointed out, the most striking feature of the mammalia of
the districts adjoining the Ordos is a general paling of colour, as
compared with the nearly related species of the non-desert regions
further south and east. This is especially noticeable in the Ordos
chipmunk (_Eutamias asiaticus ordinalis_), the hare (_Lepus swinhoei
subluteus_), and the North Shensi sulphur-bellied rat (_Epimys
confucianus luticolor_), and is undoubtedly due to the general pale buff
colour of their sandy or loess surroundings.
Amongst the most interesting species in the collection were the
three-toed jerboa (_Dipus sowerbyi_), and the little sand hamster
(_Phodopus bedfordiæ_), both of which inhabit exclusively the sands of
the Ordos, and both of which show to a marked degree the light sandy
colouring. On the other hand species such as David’s squirrel
(_Sciurotamias davidianus_), the three voles (_Microtus johannes_, _M.
(Caryomys) inez_ and _Craseomys shanseius_), the little wood pika
(_Ochotona sorella_), the wood mouse (_Apodemus speciosus peninsulæ_),
and Anderson’s hamster (_Cricetulus andersoni_), all of which inhabit
the forested and mountainous districts of Western Shansi, show none of
this paling of colour.
Another interesting feature in the mammalia of these regions is the
extreme scarcity of Insectivores. The only member of this group secured
on this journey was the hedgehog (_Erinaceus miodon_), while the only
other Insectivores hitherto secured in or near the desert regions are
the mole (_Scaptochirus gillesei_) and a shrew (_Crocidura sp._), from
the T’ai-yüan Fu plain in Shansi. It is interesting to compare the
paucity of this class of mammals on the north-western border of China,
with their comparative abundance in the not very distant districts of
South-western Kansu, Ssŭ-chuan, Corea, and the Japanese Islands.
Recently Mr. Anderson has collected no fewer than nine species of
shrews, and two moles, besides the remarkable _Neotetracus sinensis_
from the province of Ssŭ-chuan and the neighbouring districts of
South-western Kansu. Previous to this he collected three species of
shrews and two moles in Corea, and no less than eight species and
subspecies of moles, and eleven species and subspecies of shrews in
Japan and the neighbouring islands.
Judging from what we know of the climatic conditions of these several
districts, one is naturally led to suppose that Insectivores require a
country with a humid atmosphere, and damp, well vegetated soil wherein
to thrive.
This is not so much the case with rodents, so that we find this class of
mammals greatly predominating throughout the whole region along the
Sino-Mongolian borderland. Of the thirty-one species secured on our
journey, twenty-five were rodents, represented by three hundred and
twenty-four specimens, while the seven remaining species, including a
bat (_Myotis sp._), the hedgehog (_Erinaceus miodon_), a cat (_Felis
catus_), a wolf (_Canis lupus tschiliensis_), a fox (_Vulpes vulpes_), a
marten (_Martes flavigula borealis_), and a badger (_Meles
leptorhynchus_), were represented by only seventeen specimens. One
mammal seen, but not secured, was the antelope (probably _Gazella
subgutturosa_).
The Ordos hedgehog (_Erinaceus miodon_), which was one of the new
discoveries of this expedition, is a light-coloured species, closely
related to the Chihli and Shantung form, _E. dealbatus_. Its chief
characteristic is that it has “no wholly white spines intermixed with
the brown-ringed ones.” This hedgehog seems to belong exclusively to
Mongolia, as we never heard of it south of the Wall. The nearest
locality in Shensi at which hedgehogs have been secured is Pao-chi in
the Wei River basin, where Father Hugh discovered a new species (_E.
hughi_), named after him by Mr. Thomas. The food of the Ordos hedgehog
seems to consist of beetles, numerous varieties of which swarm over the
sandhills.
The badger from this district is identical with _Meles leptorhynchus_
described from Peking. This animal exists all over North China and is
very common in certain places. The Chinese value dressed badger skins,
which make excellent damp-resisting rugs. The Manchurian hunter wears a
badger skin hanging from his waist at the back, thus ensuring a dry seat
when out in the snows and rains. The badger is a great robber of melon
patches and maize fields, in search of which he will travel long
distances during the night.
Amongst the chipmunks obtained by us two new subspecies were discovered,
namely, _Eutamias asiaticus intercessor_ and _E. a. ordinalis_. Of these
the latter is a pale desert form found on the borders of the Ordos, the
former being intermediate in colour between _E. a. ordinalis_ and _E. a.
senescens_ from Chihli. The chipmunks are beautiful little creatures,
making lively and entertaining pets. They are to be found all over the
hilly and mountainous districts of North China, in some places being
extremely abundant.
The sulphur-bellied rat (_Epimys confucianus luticolor_), secured near
Yen-an Fu in Shensi, turned out to be a new subspecies. These rats are
inhabitants of the rocky valley sides and ravines in the loess country.
They are characterized by the pale sulphur yellow colour of their belly
fur, their long white-tipped hairy tails and large ears. The chief
subspecific characteristics of the Shensi form are its pale colour and
delicate build, differing from true confucianus in the first respect and
from the Shantung from _E. c. sacer_ in the second.
The next new subspecies is the giant hamster (_Cricetulus triton
incanus_), which differs from the Chihli and Shantung species in being
of a paler colour and of a less heavy build. This rodent is very common
in certain districts. It lives in burrows, which go down into the earth
in a straight, perpendicular, smooth, round shaft. Like all hamsters,
this animal has a predilection for storing grain, which it steals from
the farmers’ fields.
Another hamster which was a new discovery has already been mentioned.
The little sand hamster (_Phodopus bedfordiæ_), whose home is in the
sand of the Ordos, is one of the most beautiful little creatures
imaginable. It makes an excellent pet, being absolutely fearless of man,
even when just caught. Amongst themselves these little creatures are
terrible fighters. Originally placed in the genus _Cricetulus_, it was
subsequently placed by Mr. Miller in a new genus of its own, called
_Phodopus_, owing to the coalescence of the lobes on the sole of the
foot into one ball.
_Microtus johannes_, a hill inhabiting vole from Western Shansi, was
another new species, as also was _Microtus (Caryomys) inez_, another
small vole from the same locality.
Of the two species of molerat (_Myospalax cansus_ and _M. fontanus_),
the latter from Ning-wu Fu was first identified as _M. fontanieri_, but
has since been described as a new species. The other species found in
Shensi and the Ordos seems to be identical with Lyon’s Kansu variety.
The Ordos jerboa (_Dipus sowerbyi_) was also a new discovery on the
expedition, it being entirely different from anything of the kind
hitherto found in Eastern Asia. Its nearest ally in these parts is the
allactaga (_Allactaga mongolica_), a single specimen of which was
secured at Ning-wu Fu.
The Shensi and Ordos hare (_Lepus swinhoei subluteus_) was described as
a new subspecies, its distinguishing feature being a general paling of
colour.
The two remaining species in the collection, which were new to science,
are two pikas, _Ochotona bedfordi_ and _O. sorella_, both described from
the Ning-wu Fu district in Shansi. The first is a large pika allied to
_O. dauurica_ from the Mongolian Plateau, but with larger bullæ and
slightly larger in size. In colour it is slightly paler than the
Mongolian form. In habits the two animals are very similar. Some pikas
caught at Yen-an Fu in Shansi were also referred to this species, but a
specimen in its winter coat secured by me near Yen-an Fu, on the Clark
Expedition, was distinctly paler and less yellow than a specimen from
Ning-wu Fu district taken by me on our expedition up the Fên Ho in the
winter of 1909–10.
The other pika (_O. sorella_) was trapped by me in a wood. It is a very
small, dark-coloured species, nearly related to _O. cansa_ from Kansu.
The next collection from North China was that made on the Clark
Expedition from September, 1908, to the same month in 1909. The details
of this collection were published in _Through Shên-Kan_, and may be
found in the appendix attached to that book.
Owing to unavoidable delay, the description of the new roe-deer,
_Capreolus melanotis_, secured in Kansu on this expedition was not
published in time to be embodied in the volume already mentioned. This
roe-deer was described in the _Proceedings of the Biological Society of
Washington_, Vol. XXIV, pp. 231–232, by Mr. Gerrit S. Miller, Jr., who
says: “Resembling _Capreolus bedfordi_ in essential characters,
including the hypsodent form of the teeth, but colour of summer pelage
more reddish, and outer surface of ear mostly clear black, in striking
contrast with surrounding parts.” The type specimen was an immature
female collected thirty miles east of Ching-yang Fu, Kansu, China.
After the Clark Expedition, my wife and I made collections in the
T’ai-yüan Fu district, during the months of October and November, 1909.
Details of these collections appear hereafter in this chapter.
Subsequently in the course of the journey made by us up the Fên Ho, a
most interesting collection was made. This journey intersected that made
by Anderson and myself at Wu-tsai Hsien and Ning-wu Fu, but it so
happened that while my wife and I made a large collection at Wu-tsai
Hsien, and secured nothing at Ning-wu Fu, the very reverse was the case
with Anderson and myself. On the Wu-tsai plain the species collected,
with but few exceptions, were identical with many of those already
secured in and round the Ordos.
PLATE XIII.
[Illustration:
GIANT HAMSTER (_Cricetulus triton incanus_).
]
[Illustration:
YOUNG ANTELOPE.
]
[Illustration:
WILD SHEEP.
_Opposite p. 180._
]
The biological work of the year ending in August, 1912, as might be
expected, was very much hampered by the unsettled state of the country.
From October 27, 1911, to May 10, 1912, more than half the year, not a
single specimen was added to my collection, except three antelope
skulls, which I purchased in the Tientsin game market. Subsequently we
tried to make up for lost time, making collections during the summer in
North Shansi and on the Mongolian Plateau. Altogether from October,
1909, to August, 1912, about two hundred and seventy specimens of
mammals were collected, including forty-five species and subspecies.
Very little was done in the way of collecting birds or cold-blooded
vertebrates, while invertebrates were left entirely alone. It was
unfortunate that I could not do more in these branches of zoology, but
reptiles and amphibians were almost non-existent in most of the
localities visited. It was only in Mongolia that insects were at all
plentiful, and while travelling in that country I had my time occupied
with other important work.
Following is a list of the different species and subspecies of mammals
obtained on the various expeditions subsequent to the Clark Expedition.
For the sake of the general reader I have given popular names of my own
to distinguish the different forms.
1. Hedgehog. _Erinaceus dealbatus_, Swinhoe.
2. Mole. _Scaptochirus gillesei_, Thos.
3. Shrew. _Crocidura sp._
4. Leopard. _Felis fontanieri_, M.-Edw.
5. Marten. _Martes flavigula borealis_, Radde.
6. Siberian mink. _Mustela sibirica_, Pallas.
7. Small mink. _Mustela sp._
8. Polecat. _Mustela larvata_, Hodgson.
9. Badger. _Meles leptorhynchus_, M.-Edw.
10. Wolf. _Canis lupus tschiliensis_, Matsch.
11. Fox. _Vulpes vulpes subsp._
12. Flying squirrel. _Sciuropterus sp._
13. David’s squirrel. _Sciurotamias davidianus_, M.-Edw.
14. Chipmunk. _Eutamias asiaticus intercessor_, Thos.
15. Mongolian suslik. _Citellus mongolicus umbratus_, Thos.
16. Large gerbil. _Meriones auceps_, Thos.
17. Sand gerbil. _Meriones psammophilus_, M.-Edw.
18. Mongolian gerbil. _Meriones unguiculatus_, M.-Edw.
19. Common house mouse. _Mus wagneri mongolium_, Thos.
20. Sulphur-bellied rat. _Epymis confucianus luticolor_, Thos.
21. Woodmouse. _Apodemus speciosus peninsulæ_, Thos.
22. Giant hamster. _Cricetulus triton incanus_, Thos.
23. Anderson’s hamster. _Cricetulus andersoni_, Thos.
24. Striped hamster. _Cricetulus griseus_, M.-Edw.
25. Mongolian striped hamster. _Cricetulus griseus obscurus_, Thos.
26. Campbell’s hamster. _Cricetulus campbelli_, Thos.
27. Desert hamster. _Phodopus bedfordiæ_, Thos.
28. Mandarin vole. _Microtus mandarinus_, M.-Edw.
29. Light-coloured mountain vole. _Microtus johannes_, Thos.
30. Dark-coloured mountain vole. _Microtus pullus_, Miller.
31. Mongolian narrow-headed vole. _Microtus angustus_, Thos.
32. Mongolian camp vole. _Microtus warringtoni_, Miller.
33. Shansi red-back vole. _Craseomys shanseius_, Thos.
34. Ning-wu molerat. _Myospalax fontanus_, Thos.
35. Mongolian allactaga. _Allactaga mongolica_, Radde.
36. Sowerby’s hare. _Lepus swinhoei sowerbyæ_, Hollister.
37. Mongolian hare. _Lepus tolai_, Pallas.
38. Duke of Bedford’s pika. _Ochotona bedfordi_, Thos.
39. Mongolian pika. _Ochotona dauurica_, Pallas.
40. Wood pika. _Ochotona sorella_, Thos.
41. Wild pig. _Sus sp._
42. Wapiti. _Cervus canadensis subsp._
43. Roe-deer. _Capreolus bedfordi_, Thos.
44. Wild sheep. _Ovis jubata_, Peter.
45. Goitred antelope. _Gazella subgutturosa_.
PLATE XIV.
[Illustration:
MINK (_Mustela sibirica_) EATING TEAL.
]
[Illustration:
GOLDEN EAGLE.
]
[Illustration:
RUDDY SHELD-DUCK.
_Opposite p. 192._]
]
Following are details concerning the specimens of the above listed
species and subspecies collected since October, 1909, and sent to the
Smithsonian Institution, Washington.
1. _Erinaceus dealbatus_, Swinhoe.
One specimen, ♂︎. Tientsin, Chihli. Almost sea level.
This hedgehog was first described by Swinhoe from Peking. It is
comparatively common round Tientsin, where it is revered by the
natives as a “Great Spirit.” Owing to this fact it enjoys immunity
from molestation. The Chinese name is “T’si wei,” meaning “thorny
animal” (T’si = thorn, wei = animal).
2. _Scaptochirus gillesei_, Thos.
Four specimens, 2 ♂︎♂︎, 1 ♀︎, 1 skeleton only. Wu-tsai, 20 miles W.
of Ning-wu Fu, Shansi. 6,000 ft.[7]
Moles seemed to be rather abundant on this plain. The specimens
secured were brought in by the natives. This mole has also been
recorded from Yü-lin Fu, on the border of the Ordos, from T’ai-yüan
Fu, in Shansi, and from South Shansi. It was originally described
from the last mentioned place.
Its Chinese name is “Ti chu,” meaning “ground hog” (Ti = earth,
ground; chu = pig, or hog).
3. _Crocidura sp._
Three specimens, 2♂︎♂︎, 1 ♀︎ (immature). 5 miles S. of T’ai-yüan
Fu, Shansi. 2,600 ft.
Owing to the immaturity of these specimens it has been impossible
to identify them with any hitherto known species. They appear to be
most like _Crocidura coreæ_, which species is found in the
neighbouring province of Chihli. Shrews are evidently very scarce
in Shansi, no other specimens having yet been recorded.
4. _Felis fontanieri_, M.-Edw.
One specimen from near T’ai-yüan Fu, Shansi.
The skin and skull were purchased from a native, so that no flesh
measurements could be taken. The leopard is comparatively common in
the mountains of Shansi, being much hunted for its fine coat in
winter. It is also found in Shensi, Kansu, Ssŭ-chuan, Chihli and
Honan.
Chinese name = Pao-tzŭ.
5. _Martes flavigula borealis_, Radde.
One specimen. No measurements. T’ai-yüan Fu, Shansi.
This specimen also was secured by a native hunter. The marten is a
handsome animal, with dark grey-brown upper parts, bright yellow
throat and black legs and tail, the latter being long and bushy.
About the size of a large cat, this animal is very savage, and
commits serious depredations upon the chicken roosts of the
villages. The marten inhabits almost exclusively the loess hills.
The Chinese always refer to it as the animal that “eats cats.”
Its Chinese name is Huang yao, (Huang = yellow, yao = marten).
6. _Mustela sibirica_, Pallas.
Two specimens, ♀︎♀︎. 5 miles S. of T’ai-yüan Fu, Shansi. 2,600 ft.
One specimen, ♂︎. Tientsin, Chihli. Sea
level.
This mink is found all over North China, but is especially common
round towns in low-lying, swampy districts. It frequents human
habitations, where it preys upon rats, mice and the occupants of
the poultry yard. This mink has nothing to boast of in the way of
fur, but skins are shipped in great numbers from North China to
Europe under the name of weasel.
The Chinese name, “Huang hsu lang,” means “Yellow rat wolf.”
7. _Mustela sp._
One skin from the Ning-wu district in West Shansi.
A small musteline, closely resembling in colour the foregoing
species, but having a much shorter tail. As yet this specimen
cannot be identified.
8. _Mustela larvata_, Hodgson.
Three incomplete specimens (two skins and one skull). Wu-tsai,
20 miles W. of Ning-wu Fu, Shansi. 6,000 ft.(?)
These specimens were indistinguishable from those secured in Kansu
on the Clark Expedition, though the winter fur showed a distinct
lightening in colour, one skin being almost white. So far, this
species has not been discovered east of the Wu-tsai plain, though
the natives of K’uei-hua-ch’êng, North Shansi, described an animal
very similar to this polecat.
Chinese name in Kansu, “Sao-hu-tzŭ,” meaning “Ermine fox”; in
Shansi, Ngai ho (ho = ape or monkey).
9. _Meles leptorhynchus_, M.-Edw.
One specimen, ♂︎. Tabool, 100 miles N. of Kalgan, Mongolia. 4,000
ft.
The single specimen of the badger was shot and presented to my
collection by Mr. F. A. Larson. While in the Tabool district we saw
several badgers, but they always succeeded in escaping into their
holes before we could capture them. We also failed to secure any
with traps.
The Chinese name is “Huan-tzŭ.”
10. _Canis lupus tschiliensis_, Matsch.
Two specimens, ♀︎♀︎. Wu-tsai, 20 miles W. of Ning-wu Fu, Shansi.
6,000 ft. (?)
Wolves in this district were very common, and stories of their
depredations came to our ears continually. Fourteen were seen on
the journey, but they were nearly always out of range of my
rifle. The Chinese distinguish two varieties, named respectively
“ts’ai” and “lang.” The former refers to the smaller and more
yellow-coloured wolves; the latter to the large grey animals,
which do so much damage to the village livestock, and frequently
attack human beings. The wolves seen in the extreme north of
Shansi were large and of a very pale colour, with long hair. Two
seen on the Mongolian Plateau near Lama Miao were, on the other
hand, rather dark, though in size they surpassed the Shansi
variety. The winter skins from K’ou-wai, that is beyond the
northern passes of China, meaning Mongolia generally, command a
much better price in the fur market than do the skins from China
proper. They are of a far better quality, the hair being longer,
thicker and softer, and usually of a much lighter colour. These
skins also are generally larger than those from further south.
11. _Vulpes vulpes subsp._
Three specimens. One skull, 20 miles S.W. of Ning-wu Fu, Shansi.
5,700 ft.
One skull, and one complete specimen, ♂︎.
Wu-tsai, 20 miles W. of Ning-wu Fu,
Shansi.
The fox, like the wolf, has a very wide distribution in North
China. Annually great numbers of skins are exported from Tientsin.
Its Chinese name is “Hu li” or “Hu-tzŭ.”
12. _Sciuropterus sp._
Nine specimens, 4 ♂︎♂︎, 5 ♀︎♀︎. Mountains 10 miles S. of Wu-tsai,
Shansi. Altitude, 8,000 ft.
One skin and skull, without measurements, was received from a
native hunter who said it came from about 70 miles N.N.W. of
T’ai-yüan Fu—this would be about the same locality as the above. It
was at first thought that this was a new form, but Büchner’s
description of a species from Kansu so exactly agrees with it,
though from so widely distant a locality, that our species cannot
be separated, at least, till specimens from both places have been
compared. A somewhat rare animal, it is found only in the largest
forests of the high mountain ranges, where it hides in holes in
trees, coming out only in the evening. These squirrels are
difficult to trap and are not easily kept alive in captivity. The
latter fact is due doubtless to the difficulty in supplying their
natural diet.
The Chinese name “Fei-hsu” means “Flying rat.” (Fei = to fly; hsu =
rat.)
13. _Sciurotamias davidianus_, M.-Edw.
Five specimens, ♀︎♀︎. 50 miles N.W. of T’ai-yüan Fu, Shansi. 5,500
ft. and 6,000 ft.
Four specimens, 2 ♂︎♂︎, 2 ♀︎♀︎. Mountains
70 miles N.N.W. of T’ai-yüan Fu, Shansi.
7,000 ft.
The first specimens of this very widely distributed squirrel were
obtained by myself; the other four by a native hunter. All came
from the same general district, where they are very common.
14. _Eutamias asiaticus intercessor_, Thos.
Four specimens, 2 ♂︎♂︎, 2 ♀︎♀︎. Mountains 50 miles N.N.W. of
T’ai-yüan Fu, Shansi. 6,000 ft.
One specimen, ♀︎. Mountains 70 miles
N.N.W. of T’ai-yüan Fu, Shansi.
7,000 ft.
One specimen, ♀︎. Mountains 30 miles W.
of K’uei-hua-ch’êng. North Shansi. 7,000
ft.
As already stated, the chipmunk is an intermediate form between
that of the Ordos (_Eutamias asiaticus ordinalis_) and that from
the mountains west of Peking (_E. a. senescens_).
Its Chinese name is “Ke li.”
15. _Citellus mongolicus umbratus_, Thos.
Four specimens, ♀︎♀︎. 20 miles W. of Lama Miao, Mongolia. 4,000
ft.
Two specimens, ♀︎♀︎. 50 miles W. of Lama
Miao, Mongolia. 4,000 ft.
Six specimens, ♂︎♂︎. Tabool, 100 miles N.
of Kalgan, Mongolia. 4,000 ft.
This ground squirrel, which closely resembles the species from
China proper and the Ordos, is extremely common throughout the
region we traversed. The six specimens from Tabool are topotypes,
the subspecies having been described by Mr. Thomas from specimens
taken by Anderson in this district.
One of the four specimens taken 20 miles west of Lama Miao, inside
the ruins of Sui-lang-ch’êng, is remarkable in having a much greyer
and softer pelt than any of the others. At first sight I took it to
be a totally different animal, but from an examination of its skull
and its other characteristics it seems to belong to the same
species.
The Chinese name is “Sha hsu,” meaning “Sand rat” (Sha = sand; hsu
= rat).
16. _Meriones auceps_, Thos.
Five specimens, 1 ♂︎, 4 ♀︎♀︎. Wu-tsai, 20 miles W. of Ning-wu Fu,
Shansi. 6,000 ft. (?)
Originally described from the T’ai-yüan Fu district, Mr. Thomas
says of it: “Of the other Chinese _Meriones_ described, this very
pretty species may be distinguished from _M. unguiculatus_ by its
whitish claws, buffy ears, whiter bullæ, and less blackened tail;
from _M. psammophilus_ by its larger size and buffy ears; and from
both by its enormously large bullæ, which indicate that it is not
really closely allied to either of them.”
This species is purely nocturnal in its habits, which may
account for the “enormously larger bullæ,” than in the other
two species, of which _M. unguiculatus_ is entirely diurnal and
_M. psammophilus_ partly so.
_M. auceps_ has also been recorded from North Shensi, as well as
from the Ordos Desert itself.
Chinese name “Huang hsu,” meaning “Yellow rat.”
17. _Meriones psammophilus_, M.-Edw.
Eight specimens, 6 ♂︎♂︎, 2 ♀︎♀︎. 5 miles S. of T’ai-yüan Fu, Shansi.
2,600 ft.
Two specimens, ♂︎♂︎. 20 miles N.W. of T’ai-yüan
Fu. Shansi. 3,950 ft.
A very common species in these districts. It inhabits sandy places,
from which fact it derives its name. It is smaller than either of
the other two gerbils already mentioned, though in colour it more
closely resembles _M. auceps_.
Chinese name as in _M. auceps_.
18. _Meriones unguiculatus_, M.-Edw.
Two specimens, ♂︎, ♀︎. Tabool, 100 miles N. of Kalgan, Mongolia.
4,000 ft.
This gerbil differs from the first named species in being of a more
sandy colour, in the absence of the white underparts, and in the
smaller bullæ. It is found in the Ordos Desert and in Northern
Shansi, as well as in the present district. In the first named
country it is very common, often living in large colonies. It is
diurnal in its habits.
19. _Mus wagneri mongolium_, Thos.
Three specimens, 2 ♂︎♂︎, 1 ♀︎. 5 miles S. of T’ai-yüan Fu, Shansi.
2,600 ft.
Six specimens, 2 ♂︎♂︎, 4 ♀︎♀︎. Tabool, 100 miles
N. of Kalgan, Mongolia. 4,000 ft.
The second series of mice is topotypical, the subspecies having
been described from this locality by Mr. Thomas, from six specimens
taken by Mr. Anderson in 1907. As Mr. Thomas points out, it is
darker than _M. wagneri_ from Central Asia. _M. wagneri mongolium_
occurs all over North China, and is very common.
20. _Epimys confucianus luticolor_, Thos.
Five specimens, 1 ♂︎, 4 ♀︎♀︎. Lung-wang Shan, 20 miles E. of
T’ai-yüan Fu, Shansi. 4,000 ft.
Three specimens, 1 ♂︎, 2 ♀︎♀︎. Mountains,
50 miles N.W. of T’ai-yüan Fu, Shansi.
5,500 ft.
One skull, ♀︎, one complete specimen, ♂︎.
Mountains 30 miles W. of K’uei-hua-ch’êng,
N. Shansi. 7,000 ft.
Usually common in rocky ravines in mountainous country, this rat
enjoys a wide distribution. It is a very voracious animal, and
readily eats its companions when trapped. In certain parts where
the natives lay their dead in holes along the rocky valley sides
these rats live upon the corpses. While in North Shansi we heard a
gruesome tale, how a lonely mountaineer fell ill and before help
came was horribly gnawed by these rats. The subspecies was
originally described from Yen-an Fu.
21. _Apodemus speciosus peninsulæ_, Thos.
Thirteen specimens, 5 ♂︎♂︎, 8 ♀︎♀︎. Lung-wang Shan, 20 miles E. of
T’ai-yüan Fu, Shansi. 4,000 ft.
Four specimens, 2 ♂︎♂︎, 2 ♀︎♀︎. 50 miles N.W.
of T’ai-yüan Fu, Shansi. 5,500 ft.
Five specimens, 2 ♂︎♂︎, 3 ♀︎♀︎. Mountains
30 miles W. of K’uei-hua-ch’êng, N.
Shansi. 7,000 ft.
The last five specimens all agree with the others taken further
south in Shansi and those recorded from Shensi, which have been
referred to this subspecies. So far this is the most northerly
point from which this species has been recorded. It is one of the
commonest inhabitants of the mountainous and wooded areas, and is
found at altitudes varying from 3,000 ft. to 8,000 ft. It was first
described from Corea.
22. _Cricetulus triton incanus_, Thos.
Eleven specimens, 5 ♂︎♂︎, 6 ♀︎♀︎. 5 miles S. of T’ai-yüan Fu,
Shansi. 2,600 ft.
Three specimens, 2 ♂︎♂︎, 1 ♀︎. Lung-wang
Shan, 20 miles E. of T’ai-yüan Fu,
Shansi. 4,000 ft.
One specimen, ♀︎. Mountains 50 miles N.W.
of T’ai-yüan Fu, Shansi. 5,500 ft.
A very common species upon the T’ai-yüan Fu plain, where it does
much damage to crops. It was originally described from Shansi.
Chinese name, “Pan ts’ang êrh (Ts’ang = store).”
23. _Cricetulus andersoni_, Thos.
Seven specimens, 3 ♂︎♂︎, 4 ♀︎♀︎. 5 miles S. of T’ai-yüan Fu, Shansi.
2,600 ft.
Three specimens, 2 ♂︎♂︎, 1 ♀︎. Lung-wang
Shan, 20 miles E. of T’ai-yüan Fu,
Shansi. 4,000 ft.
Seven specimens, 3 ♂︎♂︎, 4 ♀︎♀︎. 50 miles
N.W. of T’ai-yüan Fu, Shansi. 5,500 ft.
This hamster is very common throughout Shansi and Shensi. Recorded
also from Kansu.
24. _Cricetulus griseus_, M.-Edw.
Seven specimens, 6 ♂︎♂︎, 1 ♀︎. Wu-tsai, 20 miles W. of Ning-wu Fu,
Shansi. 6,000 ft.
This species seems to replace _C. andersoni_ on the Wu-tsai plain,
and other non-mountainous districts of North China. In habits the
two closely resemble each other. _Griseus_ has a shorter tail and
is characterized by a dark median dorsal line, otherwise closely
resembling _andersoni_.
25. _Cricetulus griseus obscurus_, M.-Edw.
Two specimens, ♂︎, ♀︎. Tabool, 100 miles N. of Kalgan, Mongolia.
4,000 ft.
Milne-Edwards described a hamster from Sartchy (or Saratsi or
Sa-la-ch’i), 40 miles west of K’uei-hua-ch’êng, giving it the name
of _Cricetulus obscurus_. Some specimens of hamsters taken by Mr.
Anderson at Tabool were referred to Milne-Edwards’ _C. obscurus_ by
Mr. Thomas, who considered that this species should be considered
as a subspecies of _C. griseus_, under the name of _Cricetulus
griseus obscurus_. This being the case, it is possible that the
specimens from Wu-tsai, identified as _C. griseus_, should really
be _C. g. obscurus_. These specimens were in their winter coat,
which being very grey seemed to agree more with _C. griseus_ from
Shantung and Chihli.
Mr. Anderson, when collecting in the present district, found this
hamster very common. We found it rather rare, but this may be due
to the fact that our visit was during a very good year, when, owing
to a greater abundance of food, they may have been less tempted to
enter our traps. We failed to find their burrows.
26. _Phodopus campbelli_, Thos.
Two specimens, ♂︎, ♀︎. Tabool, 100 miles N. of Kalgan, Mongolia.
4,000 ft.
From its general appearance, and the coalescence of the lobes of
the foot into one ball, this species certainly ought to be referred
to Mr. Miller’s new genus _Phodopus_.
This interesting little hamster was originally described by Mr.
Thomas from almost the same district, so that these specimens are
practically topotypes. Mr. Anderson found this species also very
common, which again was contrary to our experience.
27. _Phodopus bedfordiæ_, Thos.
One specimen, ♀︎. Wu-tsai, 20 miles W. of Ning-wu Fu, Shansi.
6,000 ft. (?)
Judging from the tracks in the sand this little hamster is
evidently fairly common in this locality.
Its Chinese name is “Mi-ts’ang”—means “Storer of millet.”
28. _Microtus angustus_, Thos.
Four specimens, 2 ♂︎♂︎, 2 ♀︎♀︎. Tabool, 100 miles N. of Kalgan,
Mongolia.
This interesting vole, belonging to the “_Stenocranius_” group, was
described by Mr. Thomas from a single specimen taken by Mr.
Anderson in this district in 1907. This vole differs from the
following species in the extreme narrowness of its skull.
I found them comparatively common, but so voracious that many
trapped specimens were completely destroyed by their companions
before I could secure them. They seemed to be nocturnal in their
habits. Their burrows usually ran just under the earth’s surface
for a considerable distance, the broken up earth marking their
course as in the case of the excavations of moles and mole rats.
They appear to live in colonies much as do the gerbils.
29. _Microtus mandarinus_, M.-Edw.
One specimen, ♂︎. 5 miles S. of T’ai-yüan Fu, Shansi. 2,600 ft.
It has been found impossible to separate this single specimen from
_M. mandarinus_, though their localities are so far apart. This is
evidently a somewhat rare species in Shansi. It is readily
distinguishable from any of the following species by its powerfully
built skull. In colour it resembles _M. johannes_.
30. _Microtus johannes_, Thos.
Five specimens, 4 ♂︎♂︎, 1 ♀︎. Wu-tsai, 20 miles W. of Ning-wu Fu,
Shansi. 6,000 ft. (?)
The type of this species was described from the mountainous
district west of K’o-lan Chow, about 20 miles south-east of the
present locality. Owing to their close similarity it was found
impossible to separate the specimens from the two different
localities, in spite of the fact that one series was taken on a
plain and the other on the tops of high mountains.
31. _Microtus pullus_, Miller.
Two specimens, 1 ♂︎, 1 ♀︎. Mountains 50 miles N.W. of T’ai-yüan
Fu, Shansi. 5,500 ft.
Though in dimensions of body and skull, and in general shape, this
vole closely resembles the preceding species, _M. johannes_, its
very much darker colour at once renders it distinct. It was
described by Mr. Miller as new from specimens taken in the
Chiao-ch’êng Shan, some 50 miles south of the present locality. It
frequents the open glades in the highest mountain regions.
32. _Microtus warringtoni_, Miller.
Six specimens, 1 ♂︎, 5 ♀︎♀︎. Tabool, 100 miles N. of Kalgan,
Mongolia. 4,000 ft.
This is a pale-coloured vole, about the same size as _M.
mandarinus_, but with a very much smaller skull. The skull is
narrower than in either _M. johannes_ or _M. pullus_, but not
nearly so narrow as in _M. angustus_. Of a lighter colour than _M.
angustus_, it has a larger hind foot, though in other body
measurements the two are very similar.
While _M. angustus_ seems to keep away from camps and buildings,
our present species is essentially a camp follower, as we were
unable to trap them anywhere except immediately round the house and
tents. Unlike _M. angustus_ this vole is nocturnal in its habits,
usually being trapped during the night.
This interesting species was found to be new and was named by
Miller after Mr. Warrington, who first discovered it.[8]
33. _Craseomys shanseius_, Thos.
Seven specimens, 3 ♂︎♂︎, 4 ♀︎♀︎. Mountains 50 miles N.W. of
T’ai-yüan Fu, Shansi. 5,500 ft.
Three specimens. 1 ♂︎, 2 ♀︎♀︎. Mountains 30
miles W. of K’uei-hua-ch’êng, N. Shansi.
7,000 ft.
This vole, which usually occurs in the forested areas of the Shansi
mountains, was first described by Mr. Thomas from specimens taken
in the Chiao-ch’êng Shan, west of T’ai-yüan Fu. Here and further
north in the K’o-lan and Ning-wu mountains they are very abundant,
especially where there is plenty of moss.
The three specimens from the K’uei-hua-ch’êng district were also
found in wooded and mossy localities, though here the timber is
less heavy.
This vole is at once distinguishable from any of the foregoing
species by its reddish colour.
34. _Myospalax fontanus_, Thos.
Two specimens, 1 ♂︎, 1 ♀︎. Mountains 50 miles N.W. of T’ai-yüan
Fu, Shansi. 6,000 ft.
Eleven specimens, 2 ♂︎♂︎, 9 ♀︎♀︎. Wu-tsai, 20
miles W. of Ning-wu Fu, Shansi. 6,000
ft. (?)
One specimen, ♂︎. Mountains 10 miles S.
of Wu-tsai, Shansi. 7,000 ft.
Originally identified as _M. fontanieri_, Mr. Thomas subsequently
described it as a new species (_Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist._, January,
1912, p. 93). This species differs from _M. cansus_ in the very
much more rugged nature of the skull, its greater size, and
persistent white spot on the forehead.
It is very common in certain parts of Shansi.
Its Chinese names, “Ha lao,” “Hsia lao” and “Ha huei” all refer to
its supposed blindness, “Ha” and “Hsia” meaning blind.
35. _Allactaga mongolica_, Radde.
One specimen, ♀︎. 100 miles W. of Lama Miao, Mongolia. 4,000 ft.
One specimen, ♀︎. Tabool, 100 miles N. of
Kalgan, Mongolia. 4,000 ft.
In both specimens the comparative shortness of the ear and hind
foot confirm Mr. Miller’s distinction between this species and the
Kansu allactaga, which he named _A. mongolica longior_. Though
common enough in some districts, the Mongolian allactaga is very
difficult to secure. The two specimens were caught by us in broad
daylight, by riding them down on horseback. The first sought refuge
in a short burrow and was easily dug up; the second was chased into
a shallow lagoon, which it very nearly succeeded in crossing by
repeated jumps. The Mongol name is “Allactahai”; the Chinese name
is T’iao-t’u-tzŭ (meaning “jumping hare”). The Mongols have a
superstition that the allactaga sucks the milk of cows, and it is
one of the few animals that they will kill on sight.
It is semi-diurnal in its habits, and may be seen skipping about in
the twilight or early morning. It refuses to enter a trap or to
take any bait.
36. _Lepus swinhoei sowerbyæ_, Hollister.
Two specimens, ♂︎♂︎. Wu-tsai, 20 miles W. of Ning-wu Fu, Shansi.
6,000 ft. (?)
This new subspecies was named after Mrs. Sowerby by Mr. N.
Hollister in the _Proc. of the Biological Society of Washington_,
Vol. XXV, pp. 182–183.
This hare differs from _Lepus swinhoei subluteus_ of the Ordos in
having a “greyer rump, lighter pinkish-buff chest-band, and more
white on undersides of fore legs,” and also in having a larger and
heavier skull—with larger audital bullæ. _Lepus swinhoei subluteus_
was distinguished from _Lepus swinhoei_ on account of its paler
colour.
These hares were very abundant on the Wu-tsai plain and elsewhere
on our line of march. Its Chinese name is “T’u êrh” or “T’u tzŭ.”
37. _Lepus tolai_, Pallas.
One specimen, ♂︎. Tabool, 100 miles N. of Kalgan, Mongolia. 4,000
ft.
In colour this hare seems to be darker than the foregoing species.
In North Shansi we sometimes saw extremely light-coloured hares,
but were never fortunate enough to secure one, the specimens we
shot all being of the usual colouring. These hares are very common,
being especially abundant in the long grass round lagoons. As
Mongol camps are usually situated in the same localities, it gives
one the impression that these much harassed animals seek the
protection of human habitations. This may be the case, as the
Mongol watch dogs, while keeping away wolves and foxes, are much
too slow to catch a hare. The long grass shelters the latter from
their worst enemies, hawks and eagles, which abound in Mongolia.
38. _Ochotona bedfordi_, Thos.
Two specimens, ♂︎, ♀︎. Tsing-lo Hsien, 30 miles N.W. of T’ai-yüan
Fu, Shansi. 4,600 ft.
One specimen, ♀︎. 50 miles N.W. of T’ai-yüan
Fu, Shansi. 6,500 ft.
Three specimens, 2 ♂︎♂︎, 1 ♀︎. Wu-tsai, 20
miles W. of Ning-wu Fu, Shansi. 6,000
ft. (?)
All these specimens were taken from within easy distance of Ning-wu
Fu, the type locality. This species has also been recorded from
North Shensi, but as already stated the Shensi specimens in their
winter coats show a paler and less yellow colouring.
Its Chinese name is “Hao-t’u-tzŭ,” meaning rat hare, or
“Ti-t’u-tzŭ,” meaning ground hare (Hao = a rat, Ti = ground;
T’u-tzŭ = a hare).
39. _Ochotona dauurica_, Pallas.
Eight specimens, 5 ♂︎♂︎, 3 ♀︎♀︎. Tabool, 100 miles N. of Kalgan,
Mongolia. 4,000 ft.
All eight specimens were caught in certain small ravines in the
“five hills” from which Tabool gets its name. They seemed to
frequent disused badger holes, adding extensive excavations of
their own. They are easy to trap with small “gins” placed in the
runways; but will not take bait. This is the common Mongolian and
Siberian form.
40. _Ochotona sorella_, Thos.
One specimen, ♀︎. Mountains 50 miles N.W. of T’ai-yüan Fu,
Shansi. 5,500 ft.
This is the second specimen recorded of this very rare pika, the
type, the only other specimen, having been secured by me from the
forests twenty miles north of this locality. It is related to _O.
cansa_ from Kansu, but is smaller, and darker in colour.
41. _Sus sp._
Three specimens, 1 ♂︎, 2 ♀︎♀︎. Mountains 50 miles N.W. of T’ai-yüan
Fu, Shansi. 5,500 ft.
One specimen, ♂︎ (immature). Wu-tsai, 20
miles W. of Ning-wu Fu, Shansi. 6,000 ft.(?)
The last specimen was brought down to the plain from the mountains
south-east of Wu-tsai by native hunters.
The species of the Shansi pig has not yet been determined. Much
material from all parts of North China will be needed before the
status of the North Chinese _Suidæ_ can be satisfactorily
determined. This seems to be a halfway species between _Sus
amurensis_ and _Sus moupinensis_.
As detailed accounts of the hunting of these pigs appear in Chapter
II, further remarks here are not needed. Sufficient to say that
recently some very large pigs have been shot in Shansi, where they
are on the increase. Districts where pigs were unknown twenty years
ago are overrun now. About ten years ago there was an epidemic
amongst the wild pigs in Shansi, when hundreds were found dead by
the natives.[9]
Its Chinese name is “Yeh chu,” meaning “Wild pig,” or “Shan chu,”
meaning “Mountain pig.”
42. _Cervus canadensis subs._
Two specimens, 1 ♂︎, 1 ♀︎. Mountains 30 miles W. of
K’uei-hua-ch’êng, N. Shansi. 7,000 ft.
At present it is impossible to identify the subspecies to which
this deer belongs. From its habitat it would appear to be related
to _Cervus canadensis asiaticus_ of Siberia, or to _C. canadensis
songaricus_ of the Thian Shan. It seems smaller than the Manchurian
wapiti, _C. canadensis xanthopygus_, a specimen of which I had the
opportunity of examining. The habitat of this deer, according to
the Chinese, extends right into Turkestan, whence comes the
Bactrian wapiti (_C. canadensis bactrianus_). Having examined horns
of this species, and also of _C. canadensis asiaticus_, in
comparison with some horns picked up in the same locality as that
from which our specimens came, I should not hesitate to pronounce
our specimens distinct from either of the others.
Its Chinese name, “Ma lu,” means “Horse deer” (Ma = horse, lu =
deer).
43. _Capreolus bedfordi_, Thos.
Two skulls, ♂︎, ♀︎. Mountains 30 miles W. of K’uei-hua-ch’êng, N.
Shansi. 7,000 ft.
Two skins, Lama Miao, Mongolia. 4,000 ft.
The two skins purchased in Lama Miao were said to have been brought
from Northern Mongolia. They are very pale indeed, being winter
specimens, and are somewhat larger than the usual run of Shansi
skins.
The horns of the roe-deer in North Shansi seem to run to an
unusually large size. A pair that were secured by a European
sportsman were nearly eighteen inches in length and of great
thickness.
Some roe-deer shot in North Chihli, east of Kalgan, during a late
winter shooting trip in 1912, showed a very pale colour, as
compared with _Capreolus bedfordi_ from West Shansi.
The Chinese name is P’ao-tzŭ.
44. _Ovis jubata_, Peters.
Two complete specimens, ♀︎♀︎. Four skulls, ♂︎♂︎. Mountains 5 miles
W. of K’uei-hua-chêng, N. Shansi. 7,000 ft.
First described in 1876 from the mountains north of Peking, this
sheep has since been pretty much lost sight of. It is probable that
it has been steadily killed off, till now it is found in China
proper only, in North Shansi, where a few isolated herds still find
shelter in the high, barren and precipitous mountains. The most
marked characteristic is the increased thickness of the horns in
proportion to their length. In this they differ from the other
members of the genus _Ovis_ in Asia.
These sheep are difficult to hunt, being extremely shy, besides
having wonderful eyesight and sense of smell. Their hearing is also
extremely good.
The horns, as already indicated, attain a great thickness.
Specimens measured by me ranged from 16 inches to 19½ inches in
circumference at the base. The longest horn measured by me was 50
inches.
In winter this sheep has a fine thick coat of a dark grey slate
colour, with a brown mane and cream legs. It is very agile and
climbs with ease the rocky precipices which occur throughout its
haunts.
The mating season is in October and November, the young being born
in April, at which time the old rams do not associate with the
ewes.
The Chinese name is “P’an-yang” (P’an = a circle, doubtless
referring to the shape of the horn; yang = a sheep).
The Mongol name is “Argali.”
45. _Gazella subgutturosa._
Three skulls, ♂︎♂︎. Mongolian Plateau, N. of Kalgan.
Three specimens, ♀︎♀︎. Mongolia, 70 miles
N.N.E. of Kalgan. 4,000 ft.
One specimen, ♀︎. Mongolia, 80 miles N.N.E.
of Kalgan. 4,000 ft.
Four specimens, 1 ♂︎, 3 ♀︎♀︎. Tabool, 100
miles N. of Kalgan, Mongolia. 4,000 ft.
The three skulls were purchased in the game market in Tientsin, and
were said to come from somewhere north of Kalgan.
The other eight specimens were all shot by us during our journey
through Inner Mongolia, when we saw large herds, sometimes
numbering many hundreds of individuals.
The antelopes are very wary, and difficult to approach. Their
hearing is good, but is far surpassed by their sight and sense of
smell.
The females are hornless, while the horns of the males are not very
large, but well shaped and graceful.
This antelope is called the goitred antelope, on account of the
enormously distended larynx. The reason for this is not very clear,
as the antelope does not seem to possess a voice.
The speed of these antelopes is very great, far exceeding that of
the best greyhounds.
The Chinese name is “Huang yang,” meaning “Yellow sheep.” The
Mongol name is “Gurrusu.”
FRONTIER