OF EASTERN TURKESTAN. 83 
Phasianus Shawi—are allcommon. Melanocorypha torquata has 
been obtained this month, but isnot common. Lanius Homeyert 
and Sturnus vulgaris are rare about here. Of Picus leucopterus 
a solitary individual has been seen; and a stray Motacilla per- 
sonata has been noticed now and then. Tetraogallus iimalayensis 
has been brought in alive. It will be noticed that Pica bactriana 
is not included in the above enumeration ; this Magpie has not 
been seen, in the wild state, since leaving Kashghar, 
Among waders I have only to record ‘Ardea cinerea, Herodias 
alba, and Botaurus stellaris. I dare say there are others about, 
but I have not come across them. 
Then among Natatores I have Anas boschas and Querquedula 
erecca. 
Beshkant, 3rd February.—I left Yarkand this morning on a 
three days shooting trip, accompanied by a Panjabashi (leader 
of fifty) with several Yarkandi soldiers sent by the Dad Khwah, 
and a couple of troopers of the “ Guides” as an escort. We 
formed quite an imposing little cavalcade as we rode through the 
old city of Yarkand, and then cantered along in a south- easter- 
ly direction. Leafless trees, bare fields, and frozen marshes 
gave a very wintry aspect to the scene, heightened by the 
subdued reddish ae of the sun. In conversation with the 
Panjabashi, he told me that he was a native of Bokhara, that 
he had taken service in Khokand about 18 years ago, and that 
he had now been in this country for 12 years. As is usual with 
his class he praised the two former countries very highly and 
seemed to sigh to revisit them. 
Riding along I noticed all the common birds [ enumerated 
on the 23rd January, but in addition we came across 
the Blackbird (Merula vulgaris) in some thorny bushes ; 
curiously enough the name of this bird in Turki appears 
to be Maina. We found the Yarkand river completely 
frozen over and we easily rode across on the ice; then 
a short ride through scrub jungle and over rough fields 
brought us to the village of Igarchi or Yangi Bazar. Here there 
were many houses; and a long street with sheds on each side, 
which are used for the weekly fair. After leaving Igarchi we 
passed a large concourse of people who were assembled for some 
holiday or other. Seeirg a stranger passing along, the people 
trooped down to the road to have a good stare at us, but at a 
word from the Panjabashi a Yarkandi soldier rode towards the 
holiday- makers, whip in hand. At the sight of the latter, the 
people who evidently seemed to divine at once his kind intentions 
towards them, seampered away as hard as they could. 
We reached the village of Beshkant about twoo’clock, and I was 
received by the Sirkar or headman, and conducted to his house. 
