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SUMMARY:
Notes on routes between Laori and Mera via the Sirim La and nearby rivers. At Mera, the diarist relocates camp from Gus to the Dzong and, with Tenduk and a tumpa, climbs a 15,000 ft hill through conifer and rhododendron forest, observing Prim. 1133 at high elevation and hazy views reaching Kula Kangri and Namcha Barwa.

CONTENT:
gradually flows south then close to the Laori chu - 3 miles
distant, emerging near Neoly: that there is a bad road by
the Mera chu to the plains: that from Laori to Mera takes
two days by the Sirim La.

12th March. MERA. I left camp at Gus this morning and coolies
moved my camp back to Mera where I am now in the
Dzong, the village having nearly all blown away. Tenduk
and I with a tumpa went up a hill to the north, which must
be 15,000 ft, as it overlooks the Nyahsung La. It was a pleasant
not too steep climb, and we got to the top - about 4,000 ft climb
in 2 1/4 hours. Mostly the path was through conifer and rhododendron
forest, and I was surprised to see Prim. 1133 coming out at 13,000
ft or even more. It must be very common here. Yesterday
was so wonderfully clear, I was hoping to see everything today.
But for some reason all the smoke had covered the country
again, and although I saw the snow hills, they were very
indistinct. I could see Kula Kangri in the N. West and as
far as Namcha Barwa in the N. East. Had the atmosphere
been sparkling like yesterday, the view would have been
perfectly wonderful. I took a round of bearings and the

SUMMARY:
Entries describe travel from Mera over the Nyuhsang La to Rungzyung, with rhododendron and Primula collections, mist and patchy snow at higher elevations, and assistance from Puntso Dzongpen. The following day the route continues over the Choling La, with further specimens gathered and mention of Tanduk and Ahmad Shah encountering trouble securing coolies at Sakden.

CONTENT:
month. The Rhododendron Society's Rhododendron book says "Capsule unknown", but K.W. has collected seed before now. However I have taken two specimens (each duplicate) of the capsules.

15th November. Mera. 13000'(?) 10m(?). Rained a good deal in the night, was cloudy all day. I left at 7.0 before coolies had turned up.
Collected a few rhododendrons on the way up to the Nyuhsang La (R. cauliferum 2861, 2862; R. campanulatum 2860; R. sp. 2859; R. tsariense 2858; R. micromeres 2857; R. sp. 2856 & 2855). Also another specimen of 1173 P. boothii from about 13500'. Genl.
Anemone was still in flower, but no ripe seeds were seen. There was a fair amount of old snow in patches on the Nyuhsang La, on the path on the Mera side. Puntso Dzongpen came with me, the kit being sent down direct to Rungzyung. We got in at 3.0 pm. Fine all the way, but thick mist from 13000' on the pass. Puntso cooked my dinner — Oxo & curry, perfectly well, & stayed in the Dzongpen's house there.

16th November. Rungzyung 14 m.? 4500? Left at 6.30, in at 2.30 pm, over the Choling La (Whitei 2864 on Choling La). Fine all day, but cloudy & some rain & snow on the hills, no news. Collected specimens of 1166 & 1167 again (P. whitei & P. paucispinosa), both for dry specimens & to send home alive. I find Tanduk & Ahmad Shah had a great deal of trouble with coolies. None turned up at Sakden & Tanduk only got off at dusk.

SUMMARY:
The diarist travels 12 miles to Mera via Choting la, noting barometric readings, temperatures, and fine weather after a cloudy start, with strong wind on arrival. Guba serves as cook, and a thrush sought by Ludlow is noted near Shungshon; marginal notes list Samri Chu, Choting la, and several plant specimens.

CONTENT:
17

an equally fine tail, again nearly as long as the cock, it had the beginnings of spurs. Guba acts as my cook up here while I am on my own. He produced good soup and excellent curry, so I have no complaints so far. It clouded over this afternoon, even so far as to rain a few drops about 5.0 pm. I do hope it remains fine while I am in Mera.

9th March. Mera 12 miles. B.P. of Choting la 192.2° Temp. 50°. B.P. of Mera 191.5° Temp 41°. This was a most interesting day. I left at 6.30 fearing rain, but after a cloudy start, it cleared and we had a most beautiful day. A few white clouds blowing across a beautifully blue sky, with little wind till we reached here at 3.30 pm, when there was a regular gale. I had a peaceful night, somewhat to my surprise, no fleas nor lice and everything very comfortable, Guba producing a perfectly good dinner. I am sure I saw one of the thrushes Ludlow is after at Shungshon, a grayish head, brown back and primaries, and distinctly rufous on the flanks: but I had no time to get a shot in. The path leads up pretty steeply all the way to the Choting

[Marginal Notes]
Samri Chu
Choting la
Gentiana bryoides 1169
Prim. White 1166 up.
" gracilipes 1167
Oxygraphis polypetala 1170

SUMMARY:
Records the first specimen of Tetraophasis szechenyii (pheasant) at Miggyitun on 31 May, noting 'Lud. No. 382.' Also notes Magnolia globosa at Miggyitun on 1 June with the number 1747.

CONTENT:
Found first specimen of Tetraophasis szechenyii - Pheasant Miggyitun 31 May
Lud. No. 382.

Miggyitun 1 June
Magnolia globosa
1747

SUMMARY:
Diary entries note plant collections and observations around Migitun and a camp above Nga La, with heavy mosquitoes and heat. Assistants Danong and Tsongpen worked valleys near Migitun collecting flowers and some seeds, and bears were seen on a hill. Travel progressed from Migitun to a camp above Nga La with continued botanical collecting.

CONTENT:
152

Delphinium 2495
Delphinium from P.S. which may or may not be different. Here at camp there is a large thistle which is very handsome, growing to about 8 ft high. Danong went up the hill to look for seeds of some primulas, & found only a few of two. He came across two bears up there. Mosquitoes are very bad indeed down here, but all, so far, Stegomyia, not Anopheles. (P. glabra 2497, P. dickieana pantlingii 2498, P. sandemaniana 2499). A few specimens of the primula with hairy leaves pressed under No. 2499.

26th August. Migitun. 9500' 5 miles. Reasonably fine all morning. (Rhod. megeratum 2505, Spiranthes sinensis 2509, Aconitum volubile 2510, bulbiferum). Very hot & enervating down here. (Migitun).

27th, 28th, 29th August. Halt. Usually fine in the morning. Midges, flies & mosquitoes very bad. Danong & Tsongpen have worked the valley W. of Migitun & got some new flowers & a few seeds, & have been up the E. valley only for seed of the little yellow primula. A sikkimensis primula of (P. loessa sp. nov. type 2514, P. prenantha 2516) a beautiful pink mauve colour 2514 is abundant in the valley W. of Migitun. I think this is the one I found (Frag. globosa 2525, Acon. bulbiferum 2517, Acon. souliei 2523) between Mupa & Tama La, though perhaps the flower is not so big. It has a fine scent, & grows very prettily. (Migitun - Nga).

30th August. Camp above Nga La. 5 miles Ht. 12800'. (Gentiana palaeocristata sp. nov. 2527). Fine for an hour or two in the morning: rain the rest of the day. I think we...

SUMMARY:
The diarist ascended the Na La through forest and traversed to the Pang La while traveling toward Tso Kar, searching for flowers and birds. Notes include observations of Heteroxenicus stellatus breeding among alpine rocks and a sighting of Snow Cock Pheasant (Tetraophasis szechenyii) across a wide elevational range.

CONTENT:
Migyitun

Ludlow page 104. Went up the Na La and Pang La, 2 passes Migyitun 30 August
on the road to the Tso Kar (Lake of the sacred one) which
is a place of pilgrimage. The Na La involved an ascent Primula verrucosa var. violacea
of some 3000 feet and led, as its name indicates, through forest. 1734, 1742.
On reaching the summit of the Na La I made a circuit flabellifera 1737
round to the Pang La in search of flowers and birds. macrocarpa 1743
Got 3 specimens of Heteroxenicus stellatus stellatus Paraquilegia anemonoides
Gould's Short-wing which has been found in East Nepal, 1744
Sikkim and Bhutan. This species extends its range still Meconopsis simplicifolia 1735
further eastwards. A common bird. Different from Rhododendron pumilum 1741
other Short-wings in not being a skulker. Although Caltha palustris 1745
it inhabits dense rhododendron and bamboo growth, it does not
shun observation and will ascend to the tops of bushes
to gaze at an intruder in a most confidential manner.
The 2 were shot in - wherever there are rocks and boulders in
the alpine zone, far away from all shrub growth. And
the birds were breeding amidst these surroundings.
--- shot on the next day ---
Also saw Snow Cock Pheasant Tetraophasis szechenyii - Ludlow 383
A common bird in Southeast Tibet. Found at all elevations between
11-15000 feet. Lives in fir forest and also inhabits Rhododendron scrub
in the alpine zone. - Specimen of Szechenyii 383.

SUMMARY:
Notes describe Migyitun harvesting methods and failures in vegetable cultivation despite some surviving crops. Observations record the Scaly-breasted Wren as common in Bhutan and nearby valleys, with its song noted at Taka-thum and occurrences at Lungi and Migyitun. On May 3rd the party ascended to the Tra La to seek seeds of Sclater's Monal and Kalij, with transport difficulties mentioned.

CONTENT:
The Migyitun people reap their crops simply by pulling off the ears of the barley. The stalk is left standing.

L. p. 174. Migyitun is a foul spot. The vegetable seeds we planted here in May last germinated, but the locals have no idea how to grow them. They were choked with weeds. There are however, a number of young carrots & turnips & some lettuce & spinach. Most of the crops here have been cut already.

Pnoepyga albiventer albiventer. Scaly-breasted Wren. Exceedingly common in Bhutan. In 1936 & 1938 we found it equally common in the damp forested areas of the Subansiri & Siyom. Does not occur on the main ridge but is numerous at Lungi & Migyitun where the Chayal and Tseri Rivers are cutting their way through the Him. axis. In 1938 I heard the spring song of this Wren in Taka-thum where it is very abundant. It is a pretty trill of 7 or 8 notes, quite indescribable, but quite distinct from the double-noted whistle of P. pusilla pusilla.

L. p. 175. May 3rd. We ascended to the Tra La where we are putting in a few days in the hope of getting seeds of Sclater's Monal & Kalij. Difficult in transport.

SUMMARY:
Notes describe eggs and nesting of Trochalopteron henrici near Migyitun, including egg color, nest placement, and clutch size, with laying in May and early June. A list of plant taxa with specimen numbers (including several Rhododendron and Corydalis) is recorded.

CONTENT:
L. 100 Set eggs c/3 of Trochalopteron henrici (Prince Henri's Laughing Thrush).
Pale greenish. They are exactly like those of the common Song Thrush at home.
L. Dis 77. I do not think it occurs south of the main range except at Migyitun.
We found numerous nests, they are generally placed in bushes, seldom at no
great distance from the ground. They are rather untidy structures of dried
grass, dead leaves, strips of birch bark, moss etc. lined with dry twisted
grass. Clutches vary from 2-3. Eggs laid in May & early June.

Migyitun May 26.
R. lindleyi 1702 1715
sp. nov. miniatum 1710
? Prim. sandemaniana 1708
(Cawdorii)
yargongensis 1709
tsariensis 1711
macrophylla 1712
sikkimensis 1714
Corydalis 1705

SUMMARY:
Notes that bird life is very scarce at Migyitun, followed by an entry dated 28th May and a list of plant taxa with associated numbers. The page appears to record collections or observations made at Migyitun.

CONTENT:
L. p. 103. Bird life very scarce at Migyitun

Migyitun 28th May
Rhod. linitage 1715.
sp. nov. lopsangianum 1718
phaedropum 1720
Anemone davidii 1716
Gaultheria hookeri 1721
Prunus cornuta 1722
Rosa macrophylla 1723
Sorbus hupehensis
var. oligodonta 1725
Ribes acuminatum 1726
Tsuga dumosa 1727

SUMMARY:
The page describes the river’s gradient, extensive buckthorn trees, and ruins near Migyitun, along with an explanation from the head lama at Sangacholing that 'Migyitun' means 'seven head men.' It also notes local slavery practices involving Abors, taxation arrangements in Migyitun, and available cultivation including eggs, potatoes, and wheat.

CONTENT:
River falls pretty easily for the first mile or two, getting I think a bit steeper about mile 4. There are a good many buckthorn trees about, which in many places grow to a height of 50 feet or more. The highest are only a mile below Migyitun, where there are some ruins. These ruins were houses built by the Migyitun people, so they say, and were destroyed by the Lopas, who would not have them coming any further down the valley. "Migyitun", we were told in Sangacholing by the head lama is a name meaning the seven head men "Mi gyim dun" gyim being a short form of gyimpo. Slavery of a kind is still common, and Abors are often sold up here, the price being somewhere about 20-30 Rs or its equivalent. The old price is said to have been a sword for the head, a dagger for each limb and a cow for the body. Prices seem to have gone down, and a pig replaces the cow. I should think the "slaves" were much happier here than where they come from. Migyitun consists of about 30 houses, seven of which pay tax to the Tibetan Government, the remainder pay a little to the seven. There is quite a lot of cultivation, and eggs, potatoes, and wheat are available.