33 Mr. C. G. Danford on the 



markings are lighter or darker red, in spots or small blotches. 

 Some specimens are but slightly marked, others closely spotted. 

 In size they vary from 2|-^ by Iff to 2f f by If 5. inch. 



The other nests, which were brought from the Bulgar-dagh, 

 were described as being of similar construction, except that 

 one of them was lined with bunches of green fir-needles. 

 From general accounts it seems that six to nine is about the 

 usual number of eggs laid ; but the old chief of Anascha told us 

 how a year or two ago a nest of seventeen eggs was brought to 

 him. These he put under a hen ; and fifteen were hatched. 

 While young the little Ur kekliks ran about the premises 

 like common Chickens, and as they grew older went out to 

 the rocky hills close by, coming home every evening; but 

 when spring arrived they all gradually disappeared, and never 

 returned. As all the sportsmen repudiated the idea of 'seven- 

 teen eggs being found in one nest, it is probable that old 

 Hadji Achmed had two layings brought to him at the same 

 time. 



Stripping some bark from the old juniper, a rough plait 

 was made, the ends of which being turned up and tied together, 

 formed a very decent kind of basket for our spoil. Two men 

 were left to watch for the return of the owners of the nest ; 

 and the old sportsman and myself went up to the ridge of the 

 mountain. Here we examined a long line of cliffs by rolling 

 down stones. Only one hen bird was seen, which probably 

 rose off a nest ; but the place was utterly inaccessible. On 

 rejoining our companions we found the birds had only once 

 flown past, and had gone further on. Taking that direction 

 home, the pair dropped suddenly off a range of rocks above 

 us, and the male was shot. This additional good luck made 

 the way home down the steep flowery slopes and through 

 the thick woods seem short enough. 



The large series of T. caspius which was obtained exhibits 

 a few slight variations in size and colour. The general grey 

 of the plumage is, in some specimens from the Bulgar dagh, 

 strongly tinged with reddish fawn, while in others from the 

 Ala dagh it is exceedingly pure. In a few males the white 



