btain 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 _quantity_ 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 relationships 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 Assistant 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 tak