OF EASTERN TURKESTAN. 101 
River, where everything had to be taken across in boats. An 
ancient bank of the river could be seen about 60 yards 
from the present border of the stream and the intermediate 
ground was terraced. The river was about 300 yards wide at 
the crossing point; and the current very rapid—forming re- 
gular waves in mid-stream. The large flat-bottomed boats were 
poled across the river, the steering being managed by four men 
armed with paddles which they used by levering against the 
side of the boat. 
As soon as I got across I left the road and went in for 
some shooting. Sylvia curruca was common in the scrub jungle 
on the bank of the river; and on the sandy banks the small 
Plovers (gialophilus cantianus and cl gialitis fluviatilis) were 
numerous. ‘The country beyond consisted principally of ex- 
tensive marshes overgrown with rushes. There the Lapwing 
(V. cristatus), the Stilt (Himantopus intermedius), Actitis ochro- 
phus and the Terns (Sterna fluviatilis and Sternula minuta) were 
all common. At the edges of these marshes I saw Hmberiza 
pyrrhuloides and Calamophilus biarmicus flitting about among 
the rushes. The Marsh Harrier (C. @ruginosus) was _plen- 
tiful during the day hunting over the swamps; and I got 
along pot shot with my carbine rifle at a Giyah (/alietus leu- 
coryphus) but unfortunately missed it. On riding on to Igarchi 
we saw both the Storks, Kara sokan (Ciconia nigra) and Ala 
sokan or Laglag (Ciconia alba), but both the species were much 
too wary to allow one even to get within shot of them. 
We are putting up here for the night in a large serai, with very 
comfortable rooms. In the evening again I went out shooting, 
and found that as at Yarkand all the following species of birds 
were common: Circus cyaneus, hunting over the rice fields ; 
Upupa epops; the Crows (C. corone and C. culminatus) ; Mota- 
cilla personata and Budytes citreola; Hirundo rustica, flying 
about in great numbers; the Turtledove and the Ringdove ; 
the Common Starling ; and of course our familiar friends the 
Tree Sparrow and Crested Lark (G. magna). 
After dinner, a huge big fish, which had been caught in the 
Yarkand river, was brought in: it weighed 45Ibs and measured 
in length 4 feet, 3 inches. 
31st.— Posgam.—Extensive meadow ground on the march to- 
day, in which I saw numerous specimens of Corydalla [tichardt. 
The distance from Yangi Bazar to this place is about 14 miles, 
and we have got our camp pitched in a fine orchard which 
seems to be much affected by both Oriolus kundoo and Frythros- 
piza obsoleta. In addition to the birds I have just mentioned all 
the birds enumerated yesterday have again been met with to- 
day. 
