102 A CONTRIBUTION TO THE ORNITHOLOGY 
I now propose to say a few words about the weather in July— 
the hottest month of the year in this country. 
The highest temperature in the shade this month has been 
102°°6; on eleven days the maximum was over 100°F.; and 
the mean maximum temperature for July is 96°. The mean 
minimum in the shade has been 68°:5; the mean grass 
minimum, 63°; and the mean temperature of the solar 
radiation, 146° 8, the highest temperature registered by the 
black bulb thermometer in vacuo during the month being 
1575. 
If these figures be compared with some of those previously 
given for the winter months, when the maximum in the shade 
was often not higher than freezing point, it will be seen 
how enormous is the range of temperature met. with in 
the truly continental climate of this country. 
During the month we have had 8 days of fairly clear weather ; 
11 days” of partial cloud and haze; and 12 days with the 
sky completely overcast, by cloud and dense dust haze in 
equal proportion. 
Rain fell on the night of the 14th to the extent of 
0:2 inch. There was drizzling rain on the 16th, and on 
three subsequent days we had a few drops of rain. The total 
rainfall for the month, however, only amounts to 0°28 inch, 
The humidity of the air in July has been high for this usually 
dry climate. On several days the air has felt quite “ muggy,” 
and on one occasion I noticed a difference of only 2° between 
the readings of the dry and wet bulb thermometers. 
The winds during the month have been generally slight, 
and this condition has intensified the feeling of heat; many 
nights, especially, being hot and close. The breezes from the 
north and north-west have been very grateful; and we have 
had no dust storms. 
ls¢ August.—Yak Shamba Bazar.—A short march to-day 
over well-cultivated country ; weather very hazy and the sky 
quite overcast; maximum temperature in the shade 98°°8 
On riding out of Posgam, the Starlings, Orioles, Ringdoves 
and Tree Sparrows were seen in considerable numbers; and 
on the road the Swallow, Crested Lark and Black Crow 
(C. culminatus) were common. Near our present halting 
place I left the road and going off to the left, passed through 
a lot of cultivation, where I found the Blue-breast (Cyanecula 
suecica) common in the fields of wheat and Indian corn. 
In a clump of poplars there were great numbers of Palwmbena 
Hversmanni, of which I shot a couple; and I also observed 
Columba enas. Then, riding over a wide stretch of soft efflores- 
cent ground, I saw Alaudula pispoletta; and near a lagoon, 
