226 Mr. H. Seebohm on the 



GRUS LEUCOGERANUS. 



The Siberian Crane is unknown to the Kirghiz, but is very 

 common on migration, especially in spring, when flocks of 

 some hundreds are seen near Astrakhan. These birds are 

 very wary and difficult to shoot. 



GRUS CINEREA. 



The Common Crane is frequently met with on the Kirghiz 

 steppes in summer. 



GRUS VIRGO. 



The Demoiselle Crane is not uncommon in summer on the 

 dry steppes, and feeds principally upon beetles. 



PLATALEA LEUCORODIA. 



The Spoonbill is a very common summer visitor. It 

 breeds sometimes amongst the Herons, and sometimes in 

 colonies alone. 



CREX PRATENSIS. 



The Corn-Crakeis found in spring and autumn on migration. 

 It is said to breed near Sarepta. 



CREX PORZANA. 



The Spotted Crake breeds in some numbers on the Kirghiz 

 steppes, but is not found in winter. 



CREX MINUTA. 



The Little Crake is found near Astrakhan on migration, 

 especially in autumn. A few remain to breed, but most pass 

 on to the steppes. 



RALLUS AQUATICUS. 



The Water-Rail breeds frequently near Astrakhan, and 

 sometimes remains very late in the autumn. It is occasionally 

 seen in winter. 



GALLINULA CHLOROPUS. 



The Waterhen is a very common summer visitor near the 

 river. 



FULICA ATRA. 



The Coot is exceedingly abundant wherever permanent 

 water is found. It is not seen in winter. * 



