NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 275 
Another grand lake most attractive to the naturalist is the 
Ala-Kul, or “ variegated lake,” the third largest in Central Asia. 
It is thought at one time to have been joined to the Balkhash, 
but is now an entirely distinct basin without effluent. Dr. Finsch, 
in his ‘Reise nach West Siberien im jahre 1876’ (Berlin, 1879), 
has given a good account of the fauna of this lake district, of 
which Dr. Lansdell, not being a practised naturalist, has availed 
himself (pp. 146—150) at too great a length to be here quoted. 
The most remarkable bird noted there was the Black Lark 
(Alauda yeltoniensis), whose uniform velvet-black plumage, pale 
yellow beak, and large size made it very conspicuous. It was 
observed sitting on stones by the roadside, or perching on bushes, 
with drooping wings and tail erect, singing there as well as in the 
air. When in flight it appeared even more remarkable. “ Clap- 
ping together the points of its wings, and whipping about, now 
regularly, and then in an irregular manner, its flight may be 
likened to that of a bat.” 
In the shallow pools were observed Cranes, Stilts, Avocets, 
and Lapwings, and on the lake itself gulls (Larus ridibundus and 
ichthy@etus), and ducks of various species, including the Pintail 
and Gadwall, Common and Ruddy Sheldrakes, and Red-crested 
Pochard (Fuligula rufina). 
With regard to fish, Dr. Finsch ascertained the presence of a 
large Perch (Perca schrenckii, Kessler), growing to the length of 
a foot or more, a Barbel (Schizothorax orientalis, Kessler), and 
two species of Loach. 
Amongst the Mollusca picked up along the sandy banks of 
the lake were specimens of Limnea, Planorbis, Bithynia, and 
Valvata. 
The more noticeable mammals of the Ala-kul district were 
the Arctic Hare, the Kura-biruk Antelope (Antelope subgutturosa), 
. the Ibex (Capra sibirica), and the Wild Ass. ‘The last named is 
found in several parts of the Central Asian steppes, and is 
probably the species described by Pallas as Hquus hemionus, 
distinguishable from the Persian Equus onager by its sharp ears 
and by the absence of the black cross stripe on the shoulders. 
The Kiang (Equus kiang) of Upper Thibet, though nearly related, 
is a larger animal. 
In the province of Semirechia numerous wild animals were 
met with, which are noticed on pages 160, 161 of vol. i., chiefly 
