OF EASTERN TURKESTAN. 93 
ground, away from cultivation; and Galerita magna is 
as numerous and familiar as ever. 
Among the Pigeon order, Columba enas has been often seen, 
but it is not numerous. The Turtledove (Turtur auritus) is a 
common bird this month, and I hear its beautiful note every 
morning in my rides. The Ringdove is always about; its coo 
sounding quite harsh in comparison with that of the Turtle- 
dove. 
Of game birds, Phasianus Shawi seems to be buried away 
among the reeds and long grass; but the Quail (C. communis) 
is heard in almost every field. 
As to waders I need only enumerate, gialophilus cantianus, 
gialitis fluviatilis, Vanellus cristatus, Actitis ochrophus, Totanus 
calidris, Fulica atra, and Ciconia alba. The additions in this 
order during the month are the Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) 
and the Stilt (Jdimantopus intermedius.) Casarca rutila, Anas 
boschas, Querquedula circia and Aythya nyroca are all common, 
and I have to add this month, the Red-crested Pochard (Branta 
rujina) which is numerous. Lastly, Sterna fluviatilis and Ster- 
nula minuta are very numerous. I believe that every one of 
the birds f have just enumerated breeds in our neighbourhood. 
The weather in May : 
1. Temperature.—Mean maximum temperature in the shade 
84°; highest temperature in the shade, 97°°6 on the 21st. 
Mean minimum temperature in the shade 55° 2; lowest mini- 
mum 37°°2 on the 16th. Mean grass minimum 48°'1 ; lowest 
temperature on grass 28° on the 16th. Mean maximum in sun’s 
rays 137°5; highest temperature of sun’s rays 159°°5 on 
the 4th. 
2. Serenity—Seven days of cloudless sky; seven days 
of partial cloud and haze; and seventeen days of overcast 
sky, due to clouds, or more frequently, a dense dust haze. 
3. Rain.—A few drops of rain on the 12th and 13th; 
on the 14th it rained from 8 a.m. to 6 P.M., but the total fall 
did not amount to more than 0:1 inch, the wind during 
the day blowing from 8. EH. round by north to north-west. 
4. Wind.—Winds have been a prevailing feature of this 
month’s weather. On seven days we had heavy winds, 
bringing clouds of dust (once accompanied by a little thunder) 
and strewivg the ground with broken branches of trees ; 
and on four days we had very heavy winds, generally from 
the N. W. The last of these (yesterday) had the effect of 
blowing over a number of trees growing round the tank in our 
compound. The two kinds of dust storms met with in this 
country have been well illustrated this month: In the first 
class the wind begins without dust, and after a short while 
