Sikhim and Bhutan/Appendix 3
APPENDIX III
A LIST OF SOME OF THE PRINCIPAL ANIMALS AND BIRDS TO BE FOUND IN THESE COUNTRIES, AND THEIR HABITAT
Elephants.—Along the lower hills and in the Duars, penetrating in the rainy season into the hills to an elevation of 11,000 feet.
Rhino.—In a few of the lower valleys of Bhutan, but not common.
Bison.—In the lower valleys and outer hills of Bhutan.
Mythun.—Do. do.
Tiger.—In all the outer hills and valleys, and occasionally in the lower valleys up to 9000 feet.
Common Leopard.—Throughout the hills up to an elevation of 8000 feet.
Clouded Leopard.—At elevations from 4000 feet to 6000 feet. Snow Leopard. — Rare, and only met with at high elevations above 11,000 feet.
Black Leopard.—Rare, but met with in the dense jungles at elevations of 3000 feet to 4000 feet.
Lynx.—Rare; only at high elevations bordering on Tibet over 16,000 feet.
Wolf.—Do. do.
Jackal.—Has been imported from the plains of India, and is occasionally seen as high as 6000 feet.
Wild Dog.—Not very common, but is met with in packs between the plains and a height of 6000 feet. There is said to be a second species, but I have never met with it.
Shau (Cervus affines).—Inhabits a tract to the north-east of the Chumbi Valley.
Sambur.—In all the lower hills.
Cheetah.—Do. do.
Hog-deer.—Do. do.
Barking Deer.—Throughout the hills up to an elevation of 9000 feet.
Musk Deer.—In the higher valleys at an elevation of 11,000 feet.
Goral.—Throughout the hills at an elevation of 4000 feet to 8000 feet.
Serow.—Throughout the hills at elevations from 4000 feet to 9000 feet.
Thar.—Somewhat rare; at elevations from 6000 feet to 14,000 feet.
Takin (Budorcas taxicolor Whitei).—Very rare; only occasionally in Bhutan, at elevations from 12,000 feet upwards.
Tibetan Gazelle.—At elevations of from 17,000 feet to 19,000 feet in a few of the higher valleys opening into Tibet.
Nyen (Ovis ammon).—Only found on very high ground on the borders of Tibet, from 17,000 feet upwards.
Nao, or Burhel (Ovis nahura).—Throughout the hills at high elevations from 16,000 feet upwards.
Kyang.—Very rare; at high elevations on the borders of Tibet.
Bear.—Three species, one inhabiting high altitudes from 11,000 feet to 12,000 feet; the common black bear, found everywhere, from 6000 feet downwards; and a third species, also said to be common, inhabiting the lower valleys.
Monkeys.—Three species, one inhabiting the slopes near the plains, one at an elevation from 3000 feet to 6000 feet, and the langur, found from 7000 feet to 12,000 feet.
Cat-bear.—Not uncommon at elevations from 7000 feet to 12,000 feet.
Cats.—Many species, which inhabit the dense jungle all along the hills.
Game-birds
Jungle Fowl.—Throughout the hills, up to 4000 feet.
Kelij Pheasant.—Throughout the hills at elevations of 2000 feet to 4000 feet.
Tragopan, or Argus Pheasant.—Throughout the hills at elevations of 7000 feet to 9000 feet.
Blood Pheasant.—In the Sikhim hills and in Western Bhutan at 9000 feet to 13,000 feet.
Monal.—Throughout the hills at elevations of 9000 feet to 15,000 feet.
Wood Partridge.—There are two species, distinguished only by a white marking on the neck and a slight difference in size. Found throughout the hills in dense bamboo jungle at 5000 feet to 8000 feet.
Snow Partridge.—Throughout the hills above 15,000 feet.
Snow Cock.—Do. do.
Woodcock.—In the cold season in the middle valleys and in summer in the higher valleys, but not above 13,000 feet.
Solitary Snipe.—In wet, marshy ground above 11,000 feet.
Ram Chicoor.—Throughout the hills at elevations above 14,000 feet.
Tibetan Sand Grouse.—Along the Tibetan boundary above 17,000 feet.
Quail.—Found in cornfields in Bhutan at 9000 feet in May and June.
Partridge.—Only a few at high elevations.
Duck.—Cold-weather visitors. Only a very few breed on the higher lakes.
Geese.—Do. do.
Snipe.—Do. do.
Pigeons.—Imperial, snow, blue rock, and many species of wood pigeons are found throughout both countries.