] 72 Lt.-Col. Sir O. B. St. John on the Birds 



154. Erythrospiza obsoleta (Licht.). 



Kandaliar appears to be the south-eastern limit of this 

 bird. It is common in winter^ and is often netted and 

 brought in for sale. Col. Swinhoe (Ibis, 1882, p. 114) says 

 it is found throughout the year, but, as he notes later on that 

 he did not observe it after the 1st April, this was probably a 

 slip of the pen. However, I found it during summer in 

 Persiain localities nearly as hot as Kandahar, though some- 

 what higher in elevation, and it may breed there. 



155. Carpodacus erythrinus (Pall.). 



Passing through Kandahar and Quetta, on its w^ay to and 

 from its breeding-place, probably in the high mountains of 

 Central Afghanistan. 



156. Carduelis caniceps (Vig.). 



Very common in Kandahar in winter, less so in Quetta. 

 It is not found in Persia, where it is replaced by C. elegans, 

 so that it may be supposed to breed in the mountains of 

 Northern Afghanistan. 



157. Metoponia pusilla (Pall.). 



A single caged specimen was obtained by Colonel Swinhoe, 

 who was informed by the bird-catchers that ''it arrives in 

 flocks in the middle of April, and leaves again in Sejstember.''' 

 It may pass through Kandahar at these times, but can hardly 

 remain there during the summer, as it is known to breed in 

 the high mountains. 



158. Fringilla montifringilla, Linn. 



I shot a sjjecimen in winter in a garden at Kandahar, not, 

 as Colonel Swinhoe notes, towards the Helmund. 



159. Ammomanes deserti (Licht.). 

 Common throughout our region. 



160. Calandrella brachydactyla (Leisl.). 



The Short-toed Lark passes through Southern Afghanistan 

 in immense flocks in spring and autumn, but does not, I 

 believe, breed anywhere within our limits. 



