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parched by the summer sun; but Dr. Finsch, who, in 1876, travelled over 
the same route in spring, speaks with more appreciation of its appearance. 
The steppe is not, indeed, a grass-covered flat, but the verdure is found 
only in patches, and then forms no turf, but grows, like the bunch or 
buffalo grass of the prairie, in separate clumps, although the steppe grass 
is longer. For great distances the steppe is covered with thickets of the 
Spirea, or Meadowsweet. 
Here and there, too, are gooseberry bushes, intermixed with feeble- 
looking birches, generally less than five feet high, whilst everywhere, when 
the road approaches the Irtish, we catch sight, on the opposite bank, of a 
more or less extensive vegetation of well-grown trees, such as willows, 
poplars, oaks, birches and pines. Alongside the river are frequently found 
hill-like chains of sand resembling downs, with wild oats and other grasses. 
Another characteristic of the steppe is seen in numerous ponds and lakes, 
unconuected by streams. They are, for the most part, isolated, and what 
is more remarkable, are in some cases filled with sweet, in others with salt, 
or brackish, water. Thus it happens in their neighbourhood that one 
meets now with sandy downs, and then with those deposits of salt that 
have been caused by evaporation, and frequently impart to the ground the 
appearance of hoarfrost or snow. In such quarters the appropriate salt 
flora is met with. It is not until the end of April that this steppe, near 
Omsk, begins to present a verdant appearance, and then, amongst the 
first harbingers of spring, are seen the beautiful blue Anemone, a yellow 
Draba, the universal Ranunculus, or buttercup, and members of the garlic 
Mmily. ..... With improved vegetation came a greater development 
of animal life, and I noticed the appearance of Hooded Crows, Magpies, 
various kinds of Hawks, and birds that I took to be Plovers. In crossing 
the Irtish steppe in spring, Dr. Finsch frequently met with Whooper 
Swans (Cygnus musicus) in flocks, sometimes of twenty or more, which he 
supposed to breed in the locality. 
Both Winter and Black-headed Gulls (Larus canus and ridibundus) 
are frequently seen soaring above the deserted steppe, far, very far from 
water, looking, doubtless, for insects and worms as food. The Oyster- 
catcher (He@matopus ostraleyus) is also occasionally met with, and the 
Yellow-headed Wagtail (Motacilla citreola). In the sandy banks of the 
Irtish are found numerous uest-holes of Sand Martius (Cotile riparia), 
which nest here in common with the House Martin (Chelidon urbica). 
These last, however, do not excavate nest-tunnels, but only shallow 
holes.” 
Here we venture to think Dr. Lansdeil is mistaken. The 
birds, which he mistook for Chelidon wurbica were doubtless 
ZOOLOGIST.— JULY, 1885. Y 
