128 A CONTRIBUTION TO THE ORNITHOLOGY 
?. Yarkand, 11th March.—ULength, 14:25 ; expanse, 35°8; 
wing, 12°25; tail, 6-4; tarsus, 1°35. bill, from gape, 1:2; 
closed wings exceed tail, 14 ; longest feather in ear tuft, 2°0 ; 
weight 8 oz. Bill and Claws, black: irides, golden orange ; soles 
of feet, yellowish white ; ends of toes, dusky. 
The Long-eared Owl was common about Kashghar and 
Yarkand during the winter; about the beginning of April it 
migrated, probably towards the forests of Maralbashi and 
Aksu, where I was told that it was known to breed. Near 
Beskant, in February, it was often flushed while beating for 
Pheasants (P: Shawi) and hares in long grass ; on these occa- 
sions, when the sport was flagging, the Yarkandis would throw 
off their Goshawks to strike the Owls, pour passer le temps. 
This species was also observed roosting on trees and frequenting 
old ruins. In Turki it is called Mashak Yapalak or * Cat Owl.’ 
Four of these birds were placed for a night in a large hamper ; 
in the morning only one Owl was found alive, the other three 
had been killed, and two of them partially devoured by the 
survivor ! 
68.—Otus brachyotus, Gmel. 
3. Yarkand, January.—Length, 14:7;- wing, 12°3; tail, 
6; tarsus, 1:5; bill, from gape, 1:1. Bill, slaty black, horny 
at tip; irides, yellow; claws, black. 
Two females, Yarkand, February.—Length, 15:2 to 15:3; 
wing, 12°4 to 12°6; tail, 6°3 to 6:4; tarsus, 1°6 to 1°65 ; bill, 
from gape, 1:05 to 1:1. Bill, black, horny at tip; irides, 
yellow ; claws, brownish black. 
3 Yarkand, 1st March.—ULength, 15; expanse, 36:5; 
wing, 13:2; tail, 64; tarsus, 1°8; bill, from gape, 1:15 ; closed 
wings exceed tail, 0°5. ‘Bill, bluish black; irides, yellow; 
toes, yellowish ; claws, black. 
The Short-eared Owl was very common near Yarkand during 
the months of January, February and March, frequenting 
long grass and rushes, where it was said to prey, principally 
on frogs and mice: this bird also was often flushed while beat- 
ing for pheasants and hares. About the end of March or the 
beginning of April it migrated northwards, to the forests near 
Maralbashi or Aksu, where it was reported to breed. The 
Turki name for this species is Yapalak. 
68 bis.—Nyctea nivea, Daudin. 
9g. Kashghar, December.—Length, 26:9; tail, 10°7 ; tarsus, 
2°45 ; bill, from gape, 1:9 ; from forehead straight to point, 1°76. 
Bill, slaty black ; irides, bright yellow ; claws, bluish black, 
grey horny at their bases. 
