"استطلاعات في بلاد الرافدين وكردستان وشمال غرب بلاد فارس ولرستان في الفترة من أبريل إلى أكتوبر ١٨٨٨، كتبها المقدم ف. ر. مونسيل، فرع الاستخبارات. يوجد مجلدان. المجلد الأول: تقرير سردي ووصف للمدن الكبرى والطرق المؤدية منها. شيملا: فرع الاستخبارات، إدارة قائد الإمداد والتموين، ١٨٩٠" [و‎‎١‎١‎٨] (٣١٢/٢٤٠)

north-west is a rounded hill called Momamis rising to 11,000 , and to the south
another prominent snow-covered peak called Nismo bearing 197 ,and 5f miles
distant, rising to 12,000 feet. These are part of the main range of the Naif-
chailau Dagh, the general level of the summit of which is from 12,000 to
13,000 feet.
Boshik Pass. —Crossing another col (9,235*), the road dips into a grassy
valley miles broad, and ascends a long easy gradient to another similar neck
called the Boshik pass (9,300'). From the summit is a very extensive view,
Halakur Dagh bears 220°, Aurakh Dagh 282°, and Nismc Peak 219°. Remains
of camp grounds were passed, and the soil becomes much richer, growing a carpet
•<d rich grass dotted with flowers of countless varieties and the greatest bril
liancy.
From the top of the pass the road leads down a narrow grassy valley, fol
lowing a small stream increasing in size as we descend. Numbers of small
streams flow from the snow drifts, and join on either side. By the waters
edge is rich green clover dotted with gentians, forget-me-nots, blue hyacinths,
and many English flowers, while on the drier slopes grows in small tufts a long
grass similar to the English rye grass which animal- eat greedily.
On the hill slopes are “gavvan” and “karnoch” in large quantities.
About half-way down the valley we met a camp of Hartoshi Kurds on the
stream bank, the first since leaving Maidan Jashush.
After 19 miles the valley opens into a grassy basin 2 miles wide, in a
small loop of which was a camp of KK) tents of Hartoshi Kurds, and where
vve halted (7,855').
These people all acknowledge the authority of Muhammad Agha, and for
the winter go to the valley round Shernakh or the Jazirah plains. The road
from Shernakh is a well worn track used by them.
K/iabur district. —They are a very hospitable people, and supplies were
brought at once. The district is called Khabur or Chabburr from a river of
that name lower down the valley which flows 'north, and is a stream 30 yards
broad and from 18 inches to 2 feet deep.
This cannot be the head waters of the Khabur which flows past Zakho, or
it must have been crossed at some point further west as well. It is probably
a large branch of the upper waters of the Bohtan Su flowing past Sairdt.
It is three days to Ashitha over the hills to the south-west, but few of these
Kurds ever go in that direction or hold any communication with Tiari.
Weather clear and bright, with a slight frost at night. Temperature 57° at
7-30 a.m.
8th July.—General direction S.E. The Kurds we had camped with
had moved off m the early morning to a fresh pasture a little higher up
the valley.
They carried everything on small black oxen and donkeys with a few mules.
Horses are used solely for riding.
We descended into the valley (7,300'), crossed the Khabur, and turn east-
■south-east parallel to the river, winding up and down over some grassy spurs
which come down on the right hank. The course of the river is very rapid,
over boulders through a rocky ravine.
At 11 miles reach another open basin (7,850') about 1 mile in diameter,
bounded by low spurs from the ranges on either hand. It is an excellent site
for a cao'p, and is the only piece of fairly level ground we had seen since leaving
Maidan Jashush. We halted here in a large encampment of Hartoshi Kurds
under a Vakil of Muhammad Agha. There are 400 tents here scattered about
on either bank of a large stream which joins the Khabur here.