OF EASTERN TURKESTAN. 163 
tarsus, 1:2; bill, from gape, 1:35 to 1:4; closed wings fall 
short of tail, 0-9; weight, 2-530z. to 2°6oz. 
Bill, yellow, dusky at tip; irides, dark brown; legs and feet, 
reddish brown ; claws, back. 
Three males ‘and one female obtained at Kashehar in October 
are in the purple, white tipped stage of plumage. 
Qg Juv. (in immature, brownish dusky plumage) Yarkand, 
9th June.—Length, 81; expanse, 144; wing, 4°65; tail, 
2°55; tarsus, I-1; bill, from gape, 1:25; closed wings fall’ short 
of tail, E03 weight, 2°250z. 
Bill, greyish lack, yellow at extreme tip; edge of gape, 
whitish : ; irides, brownish black ; legs and feet, reddish dusky ; ; 
claws, black. 
The Starling is a very common bird in the plains of KAsh-— 
gharia. From about the end of February to the beginning 
of August the bird literally swarms in the neighbourhood of 
Yarkand, but it was never observed south of Karghalik ; in 
the depth of winter it appears to migrate south- eastwards, but 
a few Starlings were seen even in Januar y, between Kasheh: ar 
and Yarkand. This species was generally found near inhabited 
places, perching on trees, feeding in fields, and often following 
the plough and picking up g erubs ; ; the stomach of one specimen 
I shot contained a cater pillar over aninch long. The numerous 
holes and crevices in the huge mud walls of the Fort and City 
of Yarkand were favorite ‘roosting places for these birds ; and 
during an early morning’s ride many Starlings could be seen 
at the entrance of their nests, preening their feathers and 
making their morning toilette, before starting off for their day’s 
foraging. The Starling i is a great favorite with the Yarkandis 
who frequently place “gourds in the trees near their houses for 
it to lay its eggs in; creat numbers of the young birds are 
caught by the boys, who tame them and carry them about 
on their hands, or in little cages. In June flocks of young 
Starlings were often seen, taken about by their parents to 
forage; one old bird leading the way and the other one bring- 
ing up the rear. 
The Starling breeds in May and June making its nest in 
the holes of trees and walls and in gourds and pots, placed near 
houses by the Yarkandis for the purpose. It seems to make 
only a simple lining for its hole, composed of grass and fibres. 
The eggs vary in shape from a broadish oval to an elongated 
oval slichtly compressed at one end ; they are glossy, but in a 
strong ‘light the surface looks pitted. The eggs are quite 
spotless, but the color seems also to var ¥ good ‘deal: from a 
deep greenish blue to a very pale light sea- bine. In. size they 
vary ‘from 1:1 to 1:22 in length, and from 0°80 to 0°36 in 
breadth ; but the average of nine eggs is 1:19 by 0°83. 
