168 A CONTRIBUTION TO THE ORNITHOLOGY 
The number of eggs is from three to four; and the latter seems 
to be the full complement. 
Four eggs, obtained on the 13th June, vary in length from 
0:82 to 0°85 and in breadth from 0: 63 to 0:65; but the average 
of the four eggs is0°835 by 0°642. In shape they are moderate 
or broadish ovals, slightly compressed at one end; they have a 
slight gloss. The ground color is pale greenish grey, with nu- 
merous spots, streaks and blotches of sepia brown. The mark- 
ings are generally more profuse at the large end; but in some, 
the small end and lesser half of the egg show the most numer- 
ous and crowded blotches. The Turki name of this species is 
Sartk kuchkach, ‘ yeliow bird.’ 
732 bis. A.—Erythrospiza obsoleta, Licht. 
Two males measured and weighed.—Length, 6°35 to 6°43; ex- 
panse, 10°5 to 10°8; wing, 3°5; tail, 2:7 to 2°8; tarsus, 0°73 
to 0°75; bill, from gape, U'-46 to 0°5; closed wings fall short of 
tail, 1°05 to 14; weight, 0°8 0. to 0°85 oz. Bill, black or grevish 
dusky; irides, brown: lees and feet, veaemnen fleshy ; claws 
dusky or black. 
9. Yarkand, 24th April.—Length, 6°3; expanse, iene 
wing, 3°35; tail, from vent, 2°65; tarsus, 0°64; bill, from gape, 
0:5; feloseal wing's fall ae of tail, ae weight, 0: 8 oz. Bill, 
dark horn color; legs and feet, face fleshy ; ; claw dusky. 
Nine specimens were preser ved, 
Numerous in the plains of Kashgharia where it is a perma- 
nent resident. This species was common at Kashghar in winter 
where it frequented hedges, often in company with the Sparrow 
(Passer montanus). Near Yarkand in summer it was found 
about trees, in orchards and in clumps of poplars. It has a 
very sweet song and feeds entirely on seeds. The Turki name 
for the species is Zumochuk. 
It lays in May, the nest being usually placed in high trees, 
often in the poplar (P. balsamifera). A nest, obtained on 
the 13th June, contained five eggs in which the embryo was 
found to be formed. The nest is of a broad oval shape, 5°75 
in length by 4 in breadth; thickness of side walls about 
0-5. It is made up of twigs and fibres. The egg cavity is 
oval 3°5 by 2°5, lined with fine vegetable fibres and some 
horse hair; depth of cavity 1:25. The eggs are moderate 
ovals, smaller at one end, and are fairly glossy. The ground 
color is pale bluish grey, with fine purplish brown spots and 
streaks, sparingly scattered at the small end, but accumulating 
to form nearly a cap or zone at the large end. In size they 
vary from 0°76 to 0°73 in length, and from 0: 57 to 0°58 in 
breadth; the average of four eggs is 0°77 by 0°575. 
