THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF CHAMAN, S. AFGHANISTAN. 213 



makes one forget the perils and dangers of a ramble, and the 

 prohibitive order which forbids British residents to stray outside 

 the camp. 



On my arrival here during winter, I was much struck with 

 the paucity of bird-life, although in Beloochistan, outside of 

 and in the Bolan, birds were not uncommon, especially those 

 species found also in Sind. 



Amongst the hills in the vicinity of Chaman, the only 

 species that I met with during November were — Caccabis 

 chukar, Ammoperdix bon/tami, Pica ruslica, and Wagtails 

 of several species ; while on the plains, Galerida cristata, Passer 

 montanus, Corvus lawrencii, the Lammergeyer, Pterocles 

 arenarius and Columba livia were also common. 



About the latter end of January we experienced a succession 

 of severe snow-storms, and many birds were in consequence 

 driven do"wn from the hills, amongst which I noticed the Indian 

 Cushat {Pal. casiotis) in large flocks, Tardus atrogularis, 

 evidently in course of migration to a more congenial clime, as 

 well as Hirundo rustica in small parties, and Saxlcola deserti. 



As the weather became warmer, the Scavenger Vulture 

 {Neophron percnopterus) appeared in small numbers, also a 

 Milvus, which I cannot myself determine, but which I am 

 confident is neither gomnda nor major vel melanotic. For 

 affinis it is much too large ; it does not bear the white wing 

 patch said to be so conspicuous in major, nor is the wing 

 mottled as in govinda. 



The plumage of the lower parts is of a dark rufous color, 

 each feather having a dark central streak ; the wing lining is 

 similar, and so are the thigh coverts and flanks ; the outer webs of 

 quills are nearly black ; the inner web of a greyish brown, 

 transversely barred darker ; scapulars edged with rufous. 



The crown of the head is yellowish brown, with dark central 

 streaks to each feather. 



These characteristics are of course not present in any of the 

 species of Milviuse known in India. 



In April, Hawks and Falcons began to show themselves, and 

 the most numerous were — LitJiofalco eesalon, Cerchneis tinnun- 

 culus and Accipter nisus. Marsh Harriers, too, arrived about 

 the same time, and Circus swainsoni and cyaneus were also 

 obtained by myself and friends in our rambles over and across 

 the Khojak. Saxicola picata et isabellina were also common. 

 Lanius lahtora, erythronotus et vittatus were the only Shrikes 

 seen. Cyanecula suecica, with Budytes melanocephala, citreola 

 et calcaratus were found in some numbers along the streams. 



The following notes are most incomplete I feel ; but my 

 leisure is too limited to permit my doing justice to the subject 



