OF EASTERN TURKESTAN. 71 
Passer montanus is exceedingly numerous everywhere about 
houses. A i ae obsoleta is quite common about hedges, 
&c., and often comes into our courtyard. Wagtails (Motacilla 
personata) also daily visit our quarters, and are to be seen 
outside near the streams. Then the Black Crows (Corvus cul- 
minatus and C. corone), the Hooded Crow (C. cornix) and the 
Rook (C. frugilegus) are pecking about by every roadside. 
Hither associated with the Crows near some rubbish heap, or 
going about the bare fields in small flocks, we are sure to 
find the Jackdaw (Coleus monedula). Turtur Sfoliczke is 
quite common and seems to keep near the houses. The White- 
rumped Magpie (Pica bactriana) keeps to the trees by the road 
side, or is found in the gardens. The Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 
is not very numerous, but is to be seen picking up its food in 
the fields and perching on the trees. The commonest bird on 
the road is the Crested Lark (Galerita magna) ; a little further 
away from the houses we come upon Alaudula pispoletta, while 
Otocoris penicillafa is numerous further away in waste ground. 
The Hoopoe (U. epops) is seen every now and then near the 
road or the walls of the fort, but is not very common. The 
Kestrel (Tinnuneulus alaudarius) is common, often perching on 
the top of a poplar tree ; the Hen Harrier (Circus eyaneus) is 
often seen hunting over the reeds ; and I have once or twice 
observed a Buzzard (Buteo— ? japonicus). The Goshawk (Astur 
palumbarius) is the favourite bird used here for hawking, but 
I have not seen it about in the free state. A day or two. "after 
arriving at Kashghar I caught a Swallow (Hirundo rustica) ; 
the bird was evidently dead beat after a very long flight, and 
I let it go to pursue its travels ; no Swallows are now to be 
found about here. me Long-eared Owl (Otus vulgaris) is 
common in long grass; the Kashghari is call it Mashak Yapalak 
The Cat Owl.” Near the streams and some of the swamps, 
the Lapwing (Vanellus cristatus) appears to be the commonest 
wader in these parts ; Actitis ochrophus is tolerably common ; 
less so are Totanus canescens (glottis) and Tringa cinclus. The 
Coot \ Fulica atra) is very common, and numbers are sent to us 
with the dastarkhwans ; its flesh is very good eating. Among 
the Duck tribe, the Mallard (Anas boschas) is found here in great 
numbers ; less numerous are the Shoveller (Spatula clypeata) and 
Mergus castor. 
KasuGuar, 3rd November.—A visit to the Shrine of Hazrat 
Afak.—This morning, at 11 a. M., we started from the Residency 
to pay a visit to the mausoleum of Hazrat Afak, a celebrated 
Saint-King of this country. The weather was cool and 
pleasant, but hazy as usual, as we rode past the Fort and_pro- 
ceeded ina N. W. direction to the City of Kashghar, which 
