OF EASTERN TURKESTAN. 173 
This species was only observed at Balakchi and for a short 
distance along the Karakash river (elevation 12,000 ft.) where it 
had evidently been breeding. The birds were numerous on the 
alluvial fans between Shahid-ullah and Balakchi, and they ran 
about swiftly among the stones, flying off in flocks when alarm- 
ed. They uttered a clear twittering note and their flight 
was wavy, somewhat resembling that of a wagtail. 
761 ter.—Melanocorypha torquata, Blyth. 
9. Yarkand, 2nd March.—ULength, 7:1; expanse, 14°25; 
wing, 4°5; tail, 2°35; tarsus, 1:1; bill, from gape, 0°8; closed 
wings fall short of tail, 0°5; weight, 1°80z. Bill, brownish 
horny ; lower mandible yellowish horny at base and gape ; 
legs and feet, fleshy yellow ; claws, dusky. 
9. Yarkand, 2nd March.—Leneth, 6:9; expanse, 13°7 ; 
wing, 4°25; tail, 2:2; tarsus, 1°05; bill, from gape, 0°75; 
closed wings fall short of tail, 0°6 ; weight, 1°520z. Bill, blackish 
horny above ; lower mandible greenish at tip, yellow at base ; 
irides, brown ; legs and feet, yellowish fleshy ; claws, dusky. 
Three specimens of this bird were obtained at Yarkand in 
February, but it was not seen after that, except spme cage birds. 
It is said to be very plentiful in the neighbourhood of Ji 
(Kulja) and only to visit Kashghar and Yarkand in January 
and February. This species is a very favorite cage bird with 
the Kashgharians on account of its sweet song; a specimen was 
brought to me in June which sang most beautifully and the 
owner wanted twenty tangas (Rs. 4) for it. Its Turkiname is 
Ili toghai, ‘ the Ili lark.’ 
762 dis.—Alaudula pispoletta, Pallas. 
$. Kashghar, 30th October.—Length, 6:3; wing, 3°7; tail, 
2°8; tarsus, 0°83; bill, from gape, 0°6. Bill, grey horny— 
brownish on culmen and yellowish at base of lower mandible ; 
legs and feet, fleshy ; claws, livid, yellowish at the points. 
6. Besharik, 5th August.—Length, 6°45; expanse, 11:2; 
wing, 3°65; tail, 2°85; tarsus, 0°75; bill, from gape, 0°53; 
closed wing fall short of tail, 1-1; weight, 0-750z. Bill, grey 
horny, yellowish at tip and base of lower mandible ;_ irides, 
brown; legs and feet, buff fleshy ; claws, livid at bases, yellow 
horny at the tips. Testes largely developed. 
3. Juv. Yakshamba bazar, 1st August.—Length, 5:5; ex- 
panse, 10:2; wing 3:3; tail, 2°35; tarsus, 0°8; bill, from gape, 
0°53 ; closed wings fall short of tail, 1; weight, 0-6o0z. 
Bill, greyish horny ; irides, brown ; legs and feet, yellowish 
fleshy ; claws, yellowish horny— livid at bases. 
