The universality of the common crow is curious, especially when contrasted with the circumscribed locality of Jackdaws.  The Indian Jackdaw is never found in hills.

A common plover was brought in yesterday, the wing quills had been taken out, and its gestures on being liberated were most absurd, and although originating from fright, were much allied to pride, its head reclining on its neck, the latter curved, and the feet lifted high into a stately walk, while the crest was disposed in a most supercilious manner.

I have got into great request here as a physician, entirely I apprehend owing to the people’s faith in vilayuti daroo, or English medicine, especially calomel and cream of tartar, a combination of which has proved an universal panacea.

Goitre is common here, and the place in the hot months is said to be very unhealthy, fever and jaundice carry off numbers of people.  The Affghans, strange to say, have no popular medicines, but they are an unintelligent race in many other points.  They are aware of bloodletting, which they practise most indiscriminately.

13th.—­Unsettled weather.  Heavy thunderstorm in the evening with clouds over the western range.

14th.—­Beautifully clear, a genuine spring beauty on all sides.

The common Maina of these parts is a gregarious bird, which feeds generally on the ground, but is rarely associated with cattle, to which the Indian species are so addicted:  this is an intelligent bird, although from its nature not unnecessarily shy.

It is fond of singing; its notes are very varied, but not very musical, including all sorts of intonations.

While so employed, the bird every now and then bobs his head suddenly down three or four times, much for the same purpose perhaps, as our public singers in the production of certain notes.  I do not know whether these actions of the bird are really associated with particular notes, although they generally seem to accompany certain very flat and very base notes, not unlike the clerk of a coachman.

The snow is rapidly disappearing, rain having a most powerful effect even at the summit of the pine ridges:  it is fast melting, and no new snow has fallen, although it has been raining occasionally during the last three days, and the sun has been altogether obscured.

Generally on the high Kuttoor range, fresh snow has fallen, a proof of the great height of that range.

Two species of Corydalis, the first Iris and Colchicum I had found in Kaffiristan.  Corydalis is another analogy with the genuine Himalayan Flora.

Jackals were heard here for the first time, although they were heard many days ago at Pushut.

15th.—­The antilopoid animal called Suja, has horns both on the male and female, it occurs in small herds fifteen to twenty in the wooded mountains, its hair is of the same structure as in the Moschiferus antilope; colour brown.  Height to the shoulder two feet six inches; its height does not increase or decrease perceptibly behind; length of neck seven inches.  Length of back from root of tail to nape of neck two feet eight inches.