OF EASTERN TURKESTAN. 107 
as we reached its edge we went through little hills of breccia, 
conglomerate and fine gravel. 
At last we came to a gap, where we saw the valley of Sanju 
lying below us. It looked very fertile and pretty withits long 
green sward, through which the Sanju stream ran over a rocky 
bed, and with its orchards dotted about and fine white poplars 
towering up majestically. A steep descent to the valley, and we 
found ourselves riding along jolly green lanes leading tothe Sanju 
river which we forded ; the stream runs in three channels, with a 
rapid current. Our camp is on precisely the same ground that we 
encamped on last year, and we are to halt here for three days. 
12th.— Sanju.—Yesterday the maximum temperature in the 
shade was 86,° the minimum 55°3, and the temperature of the 
suns’s rays 148°5; to-day it has been rather cooler, and in the 
evening the sky was obscured by a dust haze coming from the 
north. 
Passer montanus, Corvus culminatus, Galerita magna, Hirundo 
rustica and Cypselus acuticauda are all common here. Motacil- 
lz personata is numerous and keeps near the streams. Amongst 
the trees andin the orchards we find Cuculus canorus, Oriolus 
kundoo, Erythrospiza obsoletaand the Scarlet Bullfinch (Car- 
podacus erythrinus). About the cultivated fields the Blue- 
throat (Cyanecula suecica) is very numerous, particularly near 
fields of Indian corn; and LHuspiza luteola is also found near 
the same places. Upupa epops is sure to be met with about 
the bare fields ; while the Desert Shrike (Lanius arenzrius) is to 
be found perched on the little bushes growing in bare places. 
Saxicola isabellina and Saxicola deserti are common near the 
borders of cultivation. Both the Kestrel and the Hobby 
(A. subbuteo) are found perching on the poplars; the former 
often on the very top of the tree. The Kite (M. melanotis) 
is pretty common, soaring about over the settlement, and 
away from habitations. dthene ¢dactriana is common among 
the numerous mud banks which are found about Sanju. The 
Beg or Governor of this place has some Red-billed Choughs 
(Fregilus graculus) which are quite tame; but none of these 
birds are found here in the wild state, nor have I seen any 
Magpies or Starlings. 
A specimen of the European Roller (Coracias garrula) has 
to-day been brought in to me from Sulik Aziz Langar; the 
native who captured the bird did not know of any Turki 
name for it, and said that the species was very rarely seen at 
the oasis where he lived. 
14th.—Sanju to Kizil Aghil_—Yesterday we halted at Sanju, 
where it rained nearly all day. This morning we did not start 
until after 10 a. M., to give the tents a chance of getting a 
