274 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
C. lagopoda, Pallas, which do not differ in their mode of nidifica- 
tion from our well-known House Martin. 
“Tn April,” he continues, “ White-winged Larks (Alauda sibirica) 
show themselves in large flights, and the sweet trill is heard of the Sky 
Lark (Alauda arvensis), notwithstanding the frequent showers of snow and 
hail. By erecting boxes on poles, the Cossacks provide nesting-places for 
House and Tree Sparrows, and sometimes Starlings ; but Magpies, Crows, 
Jackdaws, and Ravens, have to make their own arrangements for nests on 
the bush-like dwarf birches. I noticed about the villages of the steppe, as 
I constantly did through Siberia in 1879, a variety of Hawks and Kites. 
Of the Brahminy Kite (Milvus govinda) several specimens are seen. 
The charming Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus) holds its quarters 
particularly along the telegraph line, that possesses, I have frequently 
noticed in treeless regions, so much attraction for all birds of prey, the 
wires and poles being so readily adapted by them for resting points. On 
the poles are often seen perched the Osprey (Pandion halietus), and 
further south other Eagles. The Lesser Kestrel (Falco cenchris) is not 
rare. Now and again a Little Bustard (Otis tetrax) dashes by the 
traveller with heavy wing, soon, however, to settle again, as also does its 
larger congener (Otis tarda). On the downs of the Irtish is seen the 
Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus albus), and keeping near and amongst the 
herds of cattle, as is their wont, are to be espied flocks of sociable Plovers 
(Chettusia gregaria).” 
The two principal lakes of the province of Semipolatinsk are 
the Balkhash, a portion of which was sighted by our traveller, 
and the Zaisan (meaning “noble”’), some fifty-six miles long by 
thirteen miles wide, with an area of 700 square miles—a noble 
lake indeed. Its waters, which receive the drainage of ten rivers, 
are “transparent, fresh, soft, and good for cooking purposes, but 
of a reddish colour in deep pools.” Amongst the fish taken here 
are the Sturgeon, Sterlet, and Nelma Salmon, the T'avmen (identi- 
fied as Salmo fluvialis, and said to attain a weight of 144 fbs.), 
Trout (Salmo lene), Pike, Roach, Perch, Carp, and Burbot. 
Except for fishing and hunting there is no navigation on 
Lake Zaisan, and there are few habitations on its banks. In the 
reeds around are numerous Wild Boars (which feed on the roots 
of Arundo calamagrestis), Otters, and Saiga Antelopes, whilst in 
the immediate neighbourhood of the lake are to be found Swans, 
Geese, Ducks, Cormorants, Pelicans, Snipe, Plovers, Bustards, 
and Pheasants. 
