196 A CONTRIBUTION TO THE ORNITHOLOGY 
923.—Ardea cinerea, Linn, 
Four specimens of this species were preserved at Yarkand in 
January and February. This Heron was common about 
Kashghar and Yarkand during the whole winter, frequenting 
swampy ground and the neighbourhood of unfrozen bits of water. 
Tt was not seen near Yarkand from April to August, but in the 
latter month numbers of these birds were met with at Tungtash, 
near Karghalik, among reeds growing near water. Again on 
the 26th August a flock of these birds (? migrating) was seen 
near the Karakash river below Gulgun Shah. 
The Yarkandis say that this bird is a permanent resident in 
the country, moving northwards in summer to the country 
about Maralbashi, where it breeds ; and that it feeds chiefly on 
frogs and fish. The Turkiname for the species is Ukar or ’ Ukar. 
Dimensions from skins—Two males, shot at Yarkand in 
January.—Wing, 18 to 18:2; tarsus, 6:0 to 6:5; bill, from 
gape, 6:3 to 6°5 ; at front, 4°85 to 5:23; bare portion of tibia, 
2°8 to 3°7. 
Two females, shot at Yarkand, January and February.— 
Wing, 17-7; tarsus, 6°25 to 6:3; bill, from gape, 6°15 to 
6°25; at front, 4:8 to 4°83; bare portion of tibia, 3-1 to 3-2. 
925.—Herodias alba. Linn. 
g. Kashghar, 26th December.—Wing, 17°6; bill, at front, 
5°05 ; from gape, 6°6; bare portion of tibia, 5-0; tarsus, 7°7. 
Bill, yellow; the upper mandible black at extreme tip, the 
lower mandible greenish below; orbital skin, greenish yellow; 
legs, feet, and claws, black; the bare portion of the tibia, 
fleshy in parts. 
9. Kashghar, 64h December.—Wing, 16:4; bill, at front, 
4°85 ; from gape, 6:4; bare portion of tibia, 3°9; tarsus, 7:2. 
Bill yellow, upper mandible dusky at extreme tip; orbital 
skin, yellowish green; legs, feet, and claws, black. 
(The above dimensions are taken from the skins.) 
In winter this species was more common about Kashghar 
(where four birds were shot) and Yarkand than Ardea cinerea. 
It was never seen in spring or summer, having then, it was 
reported, migrated northwards, towards Aksu, to breed. It 
frequented marshy places and the banks of small streams, 
feeding on fish, The Turki name for this species (which Mr. 
Hume informs me is the large European forin, and not the 
Lesser White Heron of India) is dé Ukar, ‘White Heron.’ 
936.—Botaurus stellaris, Linn. 
Four specimens of the Bittern were preserved: a female at 
Kashghar in December, a male at Beshkant in February, and 
