82 A CONTRIBUTION TO THE ORNITHOLOGY 
Mallard (Anas boschas) formed the picce de resistance to-day in 
the way of sport. The Ducks were exceedingly numerous, but 
very wild ; and the nature of the ground, which was flat and 
mostly bare, rendered it very difficut to get at them. 
The two Yuzbashis, Muhammad Yakub and Tash’ Khoja, 
dined with us to- -night (how shocked au Indian Mussulman 
would be at the bare thought of such a proceeding) and made 
themselves very agreeable. The first stuck manfully to his 
knife and fork’ and helped himself religiously to every thing 
presented to him by the waiters ; the other was bewildered at 
the multiplicity of plates and dishes, and I fancy did not think 
much of our civilized ways of eating. Of course the Turki 
manner of eating is usually out of acommon dish, and with the 
fingers only. 
31st January, Yarkand.—During this month we have had 
eleven days of ‘blue sky,’ never, however, quite free from 
haze; thirteen days of partial cloud and haze; and seven days 
of dull gloomy weather, with the sky quite overcast. On the 
15th snow fell very lightly; and at intervals, for several hours ; 
but there was not more than half an inch of snow lying on the 
ground at any time. 
The maximum temperature in the day has usually been below 
freezing point; on the 15th the temperature never rose above 
25°6°. The minimum temperature in the shade during the 
month has never been higher than 19°7; and on the 20th 
it fell to 2°7°F. or 29° below freezing. For about half the 
month the minimum thermometer on grass has registered lower 
than 0°F.; on the 20th of the month it fell to 8° 8, or nearly 
41° below freezing. Notwithstanding the severity "of climate 
indicated by the above readings, we have felt the cold wonder- 
fully little. This is to be explained partly by the dryness of 
the air; but is principally due to the fact that the air has been 
so remarkably still. This kind of climate is of course very 
healthy, and we all feel well and in good spirits. 
The following is my list of birds for this month :-— 
Aquila chrysaetus (specimen shot near Yarkand to-day) ; 
Tinnunculus alaudarius ; Circus cyaneus ; Buteo vulgaris ; Buteo 
japonicus; Buteo feroe;  Otus brachyotus ; Otus vulgaris ; 
‘Athene bactriana. “With the exception of the Golden Eagle, 
which is only seen rarely, all these species of Raptores are com- 
mon here. 
Then, Passer montanus; Erythrospiza obsoleta ; Emberiza 
schenicola; Emberiza pyrrhuloides; Upupa epops; Planesticus 
atrogularis ; Corvus culminatus; C. corone; C. cornix ; C. fru 
gilegus ; Coleus monedula; Galerita magna ; Alaudula puspo- 
letta; Otocoris penicillata ; Anbhus aquaticus; Turtur Stoliczke ; 
