Part 1 (1/2)
Across Mongolian Plains.
by Roy Chapman Andrews.
PREFACE
During 1916-1917 the First Asiatic Expedition of the American Museum of Natural History carried on zoological explorations along the frontiers of Tibet and Burma in the little known province of Yun-nan, China. The narrative of that expedition has already been given to the public in the first book of this series ”Camps and Trails in China.” It was always the intention of the American Museum to continue the Asiatic investigations, and my presence in China on other work in 1918 gave the desired opportunity at the conclusion of the war.
Having made extensive collections along the southeastern edge of the great central Asian plateau, it was especially desirable to obtain a representation of the fauna from the northeastern part in preparation for the great expedition which, I am glad to say, is now in course of preparation, and which will conduct work in various other branches of science. Consequently, my wife and I spent one of the most delightful years of our lives in Mongolia and North China on the Second Asiatic Expedition of the American Museum of Natural History.
The present book is the narrative of our work and travels. As in ”Camps and Trails” I have written it entirely from the sportsman's standpoint and have purposely avoided scientific details which would prove uninteresting or wearisome to the general public. Full reports of the expedition's results will appear in due course in the Museum's scientific publications and to them I would refer those readers who wish further details of the Mongolian fauna.
Asia is the most fascinating hunting ground in all the world, not because of the _quant.i.ty_ of game to be found there but because of its _quality_, and scientific importance. Central Asia was the point of origin and distribution for many mammals which inhabit other parts of the earth to-day and the habits and relations.h.i.+ps of some of its big game animals are almost unknown. Because of unceasing native persecution, lack of protection, the continued destruction of forests and the ever increasing facilities for transportation to the remote districts of the interior, many of China's most interesting and important forms of wild life are doomed to extermination in the very near future.
Fortunately world museums are awakening to the necessity of obtaining representative series of Asiatic mammals before it is too late, and to the broad vision of the President and Board of Trustees of the American Museum of Natural History my wife and I owe the exceptional opportunities which have been given us to carry on zoological explorations in Asia.
We are especially grateful to President Henry Fairfield Osborn, who is ready, always, to support enthusiastically any plans which tend to increase knowledge of China or to strengthen cordial relations between the United States and the Chinese Republic.
Director F. A. Lucas and a.s.sistant Secretary George H. Sherwood have never failed in their attention to the needs of our expeditions when in the field and to them I extend our best thanks.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Bernheimer, who have contributed to every expedition in which I have taken part, generously rendered financial aid for the Mongolian work.
My wife, who is ever my best a.s.sistant in the field, was responsible for all the photographic work of the expedition and I have drawn much upon her daily ”Journals” in the preparation of this book.
I wish to acknowledge the kindness of the Editors of _Harper's Magazine_, _Natural History_, _Asia Magazine_ and the _Trans-Pacific Magazine_ in whose publications parts of this book have already appeared.
We are indebted to a host of friends who gave a.s.sistance to the expedition and to us personally in the field:
The Wai Chiao Pu (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) freely granted permits for the expedition to travel throughout China and extended other courtesies for which I wish to express appreciation on behalf of the President and Board of Trustees of the American Museum of Natural History.
In Peking, His Excellency Paul S. Reinsch, formerly American Minister to China, Dr. C. D. Tenney, Mr. w.i.l.l.ys Peck, Mr. Ernest B.
Price and other members of the Legation staff obtained import permits and attended to many details connected with the Chinese Government.
Mr. A. M. Guptil acted as our Peking representative while we were in the field and a.s.sumed much annoying detail in forwarding and receiving s.h.i.+pments of supplies and equipment. Other gentlemen in Peking who rendered us courtesies in various ways are Commanders I.
V. Gillis and C. T. Hutchins, Dr. George D. Wilder, Dr. J. G.
Anderson and Messrs. H. C. Faxon, E. G. Smith, C. R. Bennett, M. E.
Weatherall and J. Kenrick.
In Kalgan, Mr. Charles L. Coltman arranged for the transportation of the expedition to Mongolia and not only gratuitously acted as our agent but was always ready to devote his own time and the use of his motor cars to further the work of the party.
In Urga, Mr. F. A. La.r.s.en of Anderson, Meyer & Company, was of invaluable a.s.sistance in obtaining horses, carts and other equipment for the expedition as well as in giving us the benefit of his long and unique experience in Mongolia.
Mr. E. V. Olufsen of Anderson, Meyer & Company, put himself, his house, and his servants at our disposal whenever we were in Urga and aided us in innumerable ways.
Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Mamen often entertained us in their home. Mr. and Mrs. E. L. MacCallie, who accompanied us on one trip across Mongolia and later resided temporarily in Urga, brought equipment for us across Mongolia and entertained us while we were preparing to return to Peking.
Monsieur A. Orlow, Russian Diplomatic Agent in Urga, obtained permits from the Mongolian Government for our work in the Urga region and gave us much valuable advice.