OF EASTERN TURKESTAN. 61 
spot for birds; I have, since coming in, shot three specimens 
of Monticola saxatilis, two of Saatcola Hendersoni (both these 
were found in the fields) and a Rose-colored Starling (Pastor 
roseus) which was flitting about amongst the Eleagnus trees. 
30th.— Koshtak.—Betore leaving Langar this morning I shot 
a specimen of Planesticus atr ogulari is, which was flitting about 
amongst the trees growing near ais tank ; Monticola sazatilis, 
Sazicola Hendersoni and Passer montanus were plentiful. Then 
we made a short march of eight miles or so over the same sort of 
desert ground as we passed over yesterday; there were a few 
burnt up stunted bushes growing about, ad the sand was large- 
ly intermixed with scales “of nica. I shot two Podoces Hengee 
soni on the way. 
Koshtak (elevation 6,052 feet) is another valley-oasis in 
the desert, but much lar ger than Sulik Aziz Langar. There 
are many nee here and a good deal of cultivation ; and 
crowds of patients came to me to be treated, every sick person 
being accompanied by about four sympathising friends. The 
birds here are, Corvus culminatus, the Crested Lark ( Galerita 
magna,) the Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus,) Monticola saxa- 
tilis, and Saacola Hendersoni. Hazy weather to-day ; temper- 
ature in the shade at 4 p. m., 58°; miminum last night 38° F.. 
lst October.—Koshtak to Ui Pooheaks Very hazy morning 
again. On leaving Koshtak we passed through a frinee 
of reeds, and then rode for some distance over ground 
covered with low bushes. Where the bushes ceased I 
shot a Podoces Hendersoni. Then we crossed the Kilian 
stream, flowing eastwards towards Guma, and fringed with a 
Vere jungle; and the rest of the road to Ui Toghrak vas 
over a waste of shingle and sand without a trace of “vegetation 
-or animallife. The desert was composed of a series of flat 
plateaux at slightly different elevations: probably an ancient 
lake bed where there has been irregular drainage, and conse- 
quent sinking in places. Shortly before reaching Ui Toghrak— 
another oasis, sunk below the level of the desert, and much 
resembling Koshtak—we were met by Tash Khoja, a second 
Yuzbashi sent by the governor of Yarkand to welcome us. He 
is a hearty sort of fellow, fat and red cheeked, and reminds me 
very much of a friend I knew at home. Tash Khoja, who is a 
native of Khokand—not a Yarkandi—talked most volubly in 
Persian, and was accompanied by a party of soldiers carrying 
queer muskets to which were attached rests used in firing, in 
shape like two-pronged forks 
Weather tolerably warm, but not unpleasantly so even in 
crossing the desert; the temperature in the shade here, at 4 
P. M., was 63°. Birds at Ui Toghrak : Hoopoe; Tree Sparrow ; 
