164 THE BIRDS OF MONGOLIA ETC. 



somewhat larger and having some black markings on the throat, by which 

 they seem to approach the Japanese Chelidon hlakistoni, Swinh. 



Measurements of a male — length 5'''2, width 10''-5, wing 4"i^ 

 tail l"-95. 



35. Upupa epops, L. Udod pustoshka. 



A common species in S.E. Mongolia, dwelling in the hilly plains, and in 

 particular the vicinities of inhabited and deserted villages, in which latter it 

 breeds numerously in the stone walls built up by the Mongols for keeping 

 their sheep ; also on rocks and loose stones nests were found by us. On the 

 10th of June we noticed the first fledged young. 



In Ordos and Ala-shan Upupa epops is tolerably abundant, but is very 

 scarce in Kan-su, where the first birds were observed by us to arrive on the 

 16th of April, whilst in S.E. Mongolia they make their appearance in the 

 middle of March. The autumnal migration in Mongolia, as well as in 

 Kan-su, takes place in the end of August and beginning of September ; and 

 at this time we met with a few specimens even in the alpine region of the 

 Kan-su mountains. 



36. SiTTA viLLOSA, J. Vcrr. Popolsen cosmatey. 



Bitta villosay J. Verr. Nouv. Arch, du Museum^ 1865_, t. i. pi. v. 



Was found by us in the Ala-shan mountains and about Kan-su, 

 inhabiting principally the wooded localities of the low and median zones. 



The habits of the present, as well as of the succeeding species, are 

 similar to those of their European congeners. The voice of Sitta villosa 

 diff^ers from the two following species ; and we have seen it catching insects 

 on the wing. I am not aware if this is done by its European relations. 



Specimens obtained in Kan-su in the month of August were moulting. 



