OF EASTERN TURKESTAN. 89 
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Upupa epops is common. Cyanecula suecica has just arrived. 
Motacilla personata is now common. Sudytes citreola is a fresh 
arrival. Anthus aquaticus, still common. Ampelis garrulus? has 
been obtained, but this is quite a hill bird, and is not seen about 
the plains here. Calamophilus biarmicus has been seen among 
the reeds. Corvus corone, common. Corvus cornia getting scarce 
towards the end of the month. Corvus culminatus, common. 
Corvus frugilegusand Coleus monedula common during the greater 
part of the month. Sturnus vulgaris is very numerous. Passer 
salicicolus has been obtained; it does not seem to be very 
common. Lasser montanus, LHmberiza schenicola, Emberiza 
pyrrhuloides, Erythrospiza obsoleta, Alaudula pispoletta, Galerita 
magna, Turtur Stoliczke, Phasianus Shawit and Coturnia com- 
munis are all common. Caccabis padlescens continues to be 
brought in, but of course this is not a bird of the plains. 
Among waders, dgialophilus cantianus, Aigialites fluviatilis, 
Vanellus cristatus, Actitis ochrophus, Totanus calidris, and Fulica 
atra have all arrived. Ardea cinerea, Herodias alba and Botaurus 
stellaris are still about. 
Anser cinereus has been coming in. Casarea rutila has 
arrived. Azas boschas continues to be common, and both Dajila 
acuta and dythya nyroca has been added to our list in March. 
Yarkand, 30th April—tIn this month we have fairly got into 
spring. Around us many fields are green with the growing 
corn and lucerne, and the trees are all in full leaf. Wheat, 
barley, Indian corn and rice have been sown during the month, 
and also cotton and flax. 
In the first part of the month, the weather was mild and 
pleasant; but latterly we have had a few very warm days, the 
heat however being soon tempered or dispelled by breezes usual- 
ly carrying clouds of dust. 
The maximum temperature in the shade occurred on the 22nd, 
when the thermometer registered 92° 1, but the mean maximum 
for the month has been 78°°2. The mean minimum in the 
shade has been 50°°5 ; and the mean grass minimum 44°'6—not 
a single frosty night. We have had nine days of fairly clear 
weather, with a blue sky ; nine days of partially cloudy wea- 
ther; and twelve days of overcast sky, principally due to 
dense dust haze. The prevalent direction of the wind has 
been from the north-west; on two days a strong wind 
blew from that direction, bringing clouds of dust. A few 
drops of rain fell on two days during the month. Corres- 
ponding with the change in the climate, the movements 
among the birds have been considerable: many familiar birds 
have left us, and a good many new arrivals have to be 
mentioned. 
M 
