OF EASTERN TURKESTAN, 158 
_ This bird was purchased for Mr. Shaw inthe bazar of 
Yarkand, where it was being carried about perched on a man’s 
finger. It appeared to be very quiet in confinement, and was 
never heard to utter any sound. It soon died however, and 
I recorded the above measurements from the fresh bird before 
I skinned it; before we left Yarkand Mr. Shaw gave me the 
skin as I had not been able to procure a specimen. When 
alive the bird had a beautiful appearance: its dense glossy 
feathers gave it rather the look of a perfect wax model 
than a living bird. I heard from several sources that this 
species was common in the hills near Aksu, and I also heard 
of its occurrence in Sarikkul; the bird is never seen in the 
lains of Eastern Turkestan unless it be in captivity. The 
Wearleanidie have an absurd legend about this bird being the 
grand sire of the common Hoopoe! A Yarkandi bird-catcher 
told me that its name was Tagh hipiipi ‘ the Mountain Hoopoe ;’ 
but this designation was no doubt evolved out of his inner 
consciousness. 
633 A.—Leptopeecile sophia, Severisov. 
36. Pilataghach, 22nd August.—Length, 4:4; expanse, 6°2 ; 
wing, 2°05; tail, 2°25; tarsus, 0°8; bill, from gape, 0°46; 
closed wings fall short of tail, 1:2; weight, 0°270z. Bill, 
black; angle of gape, orange; irides, straw color; legs and 
feet, brownish dusky ; claws ; black, yellow at tips. 
$. Balakchi, 26th August.—Length, 4°35; expanse, 6°5 ; 
wing, 2:1; tail, 2:3; tarsus, 0°75; bill, from gape, 0°44; 
closed wings fall short of tail, 1:3; weight, 0:250z. Bill, 
black, yellowish at extreme tip; irides, light hazel; legs and 
feet, brownish dusky ; claws, black, yellowish at tips. 
2 Pilataghach, 22nd August.—Length, 4°25; expanse, 6'] ; 
wing, 2°05; tail, 2-1; tarsus, 0°75; bill, from gape, 0-46; 
closed wings fall short of tail, 1:15; weight, 0°250z. Bill, 
black ; angle of gape, orange ; irides, dark straw color; legs 
and feet, brownish dusky ; claws, black, yellowish at tips. 
Juv. Pilataghach, 22nd August.—Length, 4:2; expanse, 6; 
wing, 2°05; tail, 2; tarsus, 0°75; bill, from gape, 0°42; 
closed wings fall short of tail, 1:2; weight, 0°250z. Bill, 
brownish black; angle of gape, orange yellow; irides, light 
hazel; legs and feet, brownish dusky ; claws, black, yellowish 
at tips. 
This pretty little species was met with in Kashgharia, in 
August, along the banks of the Karakash river, at Pilataghach, 
Toghrasu, Oibuk, Shahid-ullah, Balakchi and Gulgun Shah, 
at elevations of from 10,800 to 13,000 feet. The birds were 
numerous and continually hopping about or flitting from 
U 
