Part 253 - Diary entries 8–11 Nov.: Chungkar, Satsalor, and Diwangiri (Assam)

1 page

SUMMARY:
The party halts at Chungkar, notes many Great Hornbills, and meets the Dzongpen of Jonghar, who previously reported on Tobgye to H.H. They march to Satsalor with views of the snows, collect primulas, lily bulbs, and seeds, send off letters and seeds, then proceed to Diwangiri in Assam by following and repeatedly fording a clear, mahseer-filled river.

CONTENT:
experts, if he wants money.

8th Nov. Halted Chungkar. Another perfect day after yesterday's rain. This place seemed so good for birds that we decided to halt an extra day here, and have one less in Diwangiri. The Dzongpen of Jonghar turned up in the evening. He is Tobgye's particular bête noire, but to us seemed decent enough. He once falsely reported the price of lac to H.H. and told the latter that Tobgye had been getting better prices than he had and had been pocketing half.

[Marginal notes: Ludlow p. 165. Birds: large numbers of the Great Hornbill below Chungkar, between Chungkar and Satsalor feeding on fruit.]

9th Nov. SATSALOR. 12 miles 3000'. A very fine day which gave us good views of the snows, the last we shall see this trip. Appropriately enough, the first primulas (on the cliff - 552 and 554) are at the first place from which the snows are visible. I found 2 more lily bulbs on the cliff, a few seeds, and four more heads of 552 seeds. A very pleasant camp down here — found a mail waiting for us too.

[Marginal notes: Pri. Sherriffae 552 and ludlowii 554. Lil. nepalense var. concolor 559.]

10th Nov. Halt Satsalor. Sent off a few letters and seeds.

11th Nov. DIWANGIRI (in Assam). 2500' 7 miles. Instead of the double climb up ridges, we were able to follow the river down till opposite Diwangiri, a very great blessing. The river has to be forded a dozen times or more, but that is now easy. Water beautifully clear and full of mahseer. Rained off and on most of last