Part 31 - Lunang to Daú: snow, bird observations, and plant collecting

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SUMMARY:
After a very cold night with snowfall, the party enjoyed clear weather and fine scenery with Sengdam La visible, noted a large flock of Grandala at Tumbabe, and observed various birds including geese and mallard (two of which were shot and retrieved). They marched from Lunang to Daú below Chunjima, remarked on Lunang ironwork, and collected plants including Notholirion hyacinthinum, a Codonopsis (seed), and a probable Primula sonchifolia.

CONTENT:
Last night was very cold indeed, and 1/2" snow fell. The fall was general down to well below this place. It was rather sickening to wake up to a perfect clear morning, which if we had had yesterday would have given us wonderful views. Today the scenery was very fine, even without any sight of Gyala Peri or Namcha. Sengdam La, 20,700', is visible for a good part of the day, in a fine background to the open grassy valley & Picea-clad hills on either side. Again at Tumbabe, we found a huge flock of perhaps 300 Grandala, feeding on Hippophae. I took both cine & still photos of these. Birds were very numerous again, all of a sudden. Trochalopteron henrici & affinis & Ianthocincla ocellata, besides rose finches & accentors. We saw no game birds but 2 geese, which certainly were not bar-headed or grey lag. I think they must have been white fronted. I could easily have shot both, but had just sent off Tsongpen with the gun. In Lunang they make pierced iron work — waist belt ornaments, swords cases & so on. We have seen the waist belt pieces — six, each about 3" long. Total price asked 20 sangs, which would normally equal about Rs 3/-.

21st Dec. Daú. (about 2-3 m. below Chunjima). Last night the cold was intense, due to snow & a very clear sky. There is little doubt that this side of the Temu La is much colder than in the Tsangpo valley at similar heights. It was a difficult job rolling up the tent, but we were off at 7.50 again, arrived here about 2.0. This was a short march, but a very pleasant one indeed. At first the temp was so low that we couldn't get warm, but by 9.30 we were in the sun & comfortable. About a mile from Lunang, I saw four mallard on the river, & shot two. Both fell in the half frozen river, but were rescued. Otherwise there were few birds seen today anything of interest. Of plants we saw more. Notholirion hyacinthinum was again seen & seed of a Codonopsis was taken.
R. Hunter 12021 The most interesting find however, was what I took to be Primula sonchifolia. It was growing on a slope which got no sun, & so the ground was frozen very