90 A CONTRIBUTION TO THE ORNITHOLOGY 
Among the birds of prey, the Kestrel remains as plentiful 
as ever: I doubt whether this species means to move at all. 
The Buzzards (Buteo vulgaris, B. ferox, and B. japonicus} have 
moved away northwards; the last of this genus that I saw 
was on the 20th of the month. The Hen Harrier (C. cyaneus) 
is still common and is probably a permanent resident in these 
plains. Towards the end of the month the Kite (Milvus 
melanotis) has made its appearance; it is not numerous. 
3oth Olus vulgaris and Otus brachyotus left early ; probably 
to repair to the forest region in the north of this country. 
Of the Eagle Owl (Bubo mazimus) I have obtained three 
fine specimens and an egg; so this species lays, in this 
country, in April. The Little Owl (Athene bactriana) has not 
been so common this month as last. 
Turning to the Jnsessores, I have to mention the arrival 
of the Swallow (Hirundo rustica) and the Swifts (Cypselus 
acuticanda and Cypselus pekinensis) ; these birds arrived about 
the 10th of the month and now form a common feature 
in the Avifauna. The familiar Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) 
arrived about the middle of the month. Upupa epops is 
very common, and may, I think, be set down as a permanent 
resident. The Desert Shrike (Zanius arenarius) came in in 
the early part of the month, and is now common in waste, 
desolate places. Another new arrival is the Oriole (Ori- 
olus kundoo), which has just come in. Sawicola isabellina 
arrived about the middle of the month. Cyanecula suecica 
is now common. The Reed Warbler (.derocephalus arundina- 
ceus) has been observed for the first time this month. The 
Lesser Whitethroat (Sy/via curruca) is another fresh arrival, 
and is tolerably numerous. Motacilla personata, Budytes 
eitreola, Anthus aquaticus and Calamophilus biarmicus are all 
common. The Black Crows (Corvus corone and C. culminatus) 
are as numerous as ever; but the Rook (C. /rugilegus), 
the Hooded Crow (0. cornix) and the Jackdaw (Coleus 
monedula) have all left us. Sturnus vulgaris is very common; 
Passer salicicolus, tolerably common; the perennial Passer 
montanus is as plentiful as before; and Hmberiza pyrrhuloides 
is still with us. A new arrival, Huspiza luteola, has just come 
in. To complete this order—LErythrospiza obsoleta, Alaudula 
pispoletia and Galerita magna show no signs of changing 
their abode. 
The Ringdove (Turtur Stoliccke), the Yarkand Pheasant 
(P. Shawi) and the Quail (Coturmx communis) are as common 
as ever. Among the waders Wgialophilus cantianus, Afgialites 
Jiuviatilis, Vanellus cristatus, Actitis ochrophus, Totanus calidris, 
and Fulica atra are allcommon. The Herons (Ardea cinerea 
