OF EASTERN TURKESTAN. 91 
and Herodias alba) seem to have moved away from our 
neighbourhood. The Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) is less com- 
mon than last month. And a new arrival is the White Stork 
(Ciconia alba). 
Of the Duck tribe Casarca rutila, Anas boschas, Querquedula 
circia and Aythya nyroca are all common. 
The last distinguished visitors I have to enumerate this 
month are the Terns (Sterna fluviatilis and Sternula minuta.) 
Yarkand, 31st May.—The weather this month has been so 
decidedly warm that I have availed myself of the pleasantest 
part of the day—the early morning—to go out for rides about 
the country. I usually leave our quarters at 5 a.m, and, 
accompanied by a single servant—also riding and carrying my 
gun— have a canter throngh the neighbourhood in various 
directions, generally for about a couple of hours. The aspect 
of the country about Yarkand is now very delightful, and the 
vegetation strikes one as being remarkably luxuriant; but perhaps 
this impression is, in a great measure, due to the contrast now 
afforded to the dreary prospect during the winter. All the trees 
are now radiantly green and the mulberries which line many 
of the lanes are loaded with fruit. The orchards and vine- 
yards are in full luxuriance of growth; the great number of 
fruit trees in the former affording a dense and grateful shade 
from the heat of the sun. Smiling green fields meet the eye 
in every direction, the most noticeable crops being wheat, fine 
purple-flowered lucerne, and the growing melon plants. Among 
the garden produce one meets with fields of radishes, turnips, 
carrots and onions; with, here and there,a plot of tobacco. 
A few days ago I was greatly astonished at receiving a present 
of some fine potatoes; these had been brought from Aksu where 
the plant is cultivated, and we learn that the potatoe was 
commonly grown near Yarkand when the Chinese held the 
country. 
On the 13th a Russian merchant arrived in Yarkand on his 
way from Kashghar to Khoten ; he remained here only a very 
short time, and we did not see anything of him. The Dad 
Khwah left for Kashghar on the 14th, on a visit to the Amir 
and for the purpose of paying the annual tribute ; for the 
Dad Khwah is not a paid servant, but holds this province as a 
Satrap of the Amir of Kashgharia. During the absence of 
the Governor of Yarkand his son and brother officiate as joint 
rulers of the province. Of course on the 24th we celebrated 
the Queen’s birthday as became loyal subjects. 
Among the birds I have several additions to mention this 
month ; and [ now propose to go through the list seriatim, 
even at the risk of being thought tedious. 
