The present rhinoceros areas of Nepal, in fact the whole of that country, have been up till recent times a closed book to foreigners. Visits by outsiders were discouraged, even forbidden. Perhaps the first foreigner to tour in the Nawalpur, Chita wan, and Reu Valley areas was Mr. E. A. Smythies, who during World War II, was Forest Adviser to the Nepal Government. In the course of his duties Smythies visited almost all the submontane tracts along the 500 mile sal belts of the Nepal terai.