APPENDIX A
NOTES ON THE NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTHERN
TIBET.
B y C a p t a i n H. J. W a l t o n ,
Indian Medical Service, lately Medical Officer and Naturalist
to the Tibet Frontier Commission, 1903-4.
T h e following sketch of the Natural History of Southern Tibet
is not intended to be, in any sense, an exhaustive list of the
fauna of that area ; it is merely a brief account of some of the
more striking animals that were met with in the districts visited
by the Tibet Frontier Commission. While I do not think that
much of popular interest is omitted, I would point out that,
during the months when Natural History observations would
have been of the greatest interest, indulgence in such pursuits
for those members of the Commission who were at Gyantse—
amongst them myself— was strictly discouraged by the Tibetans,
who emphasized their disapproval of the wandering naturalist
by forcible protests from the famous “ jingals from the Jong.”
MAMMALS. '
Of the larger mammals, that with which we became most
f ami l i a r was the Kiang (Equus hemionus). * Both at Kamba
jong and at Tuna there were large numbers of these wild asses.
They went about, as a rule, in troops of ten to thirty, though,
if alarmed, several herds would unite temporarily. There is
nothing horse-like about the kiang, but from his size and fine
carriage he resembles a large mule, rather than an ass. The
reddish chestnut colour of the upper parts is well shown off by
the white belly and legs. The mane is of a darker colour, and
* The Natural History Museum in South Kensington— of which the authorities have
been kind enough to look through this proof for me— has, in one or two cases, adopted
for the national collection a different classification from that of Capt. Walton. In
order that his identifications may be recognised in every case, I have appended the
N. H. M. name in a foot-note where there is any divergence.— P. L .