57 we learned the lesson. The last day (Fri.) we reached the Kumri - Ma - ching plain which stretches away in undulating waves like the Aereal Monghla, except for its extensive cultivation. Wheat, millet, + Barley are the chief corps but near every village there are vegetable gardens in which cabbages, carrots, potatoes & turnips are grown. On the plain we had good sport & excellent collecting; shooting gerbils - little sand rats which make their holes in every mound or field dyke along its raid. The holes are about 2" in diameter and close together. The colonies are usually separated by a considerable interval but the animals are exceedingly abundant. The little fellows were playing about out the sunlight, running out & out of their holes & industriously carrying food & straw into their dens. We killed them with our guns, bands or they would let us approach to within 20 or 30 feet. Before they whisked under ground. But almost immediately their heads would appear from another opening & their bright little eyes would stare at us unblinkingly,