THE BIRDS OF MONGOLIA ETC. 419 



run along the sides of the stomach, which latter are of a smoky colour ; the 

 feathers of the flanks have metallic- violet colours, v^hilst the sides of the 

 stomach are light golden brow^n with dark blue spots on the feathers, which 

 are rather larger than in the preceding species. Wings brown ; primaries 

 marked with grey cross bands, which on the inner webs attain a triangular 

 shape, often, however, also a very irregular one ; the secondaries have pale 

 edges, and are pied. The upper wing-coverts are ashy grey, with a green 

 tint and white shafts. The tertiaries and their coverts are spotted with 

 metallic-violet colour. Under wing-coverts pale reddish brown, and some- 

 times yellowish, with dark brown streaks and spots. The tail is rusty 

 brown ; the tail-feathers, with the exception of two or three of the outer 

 ones, have wide lilac edges and large black cross bands, which are edged 

 with pale yellow lines. Under tail-feathers black, with large brown spots. 



The female is very closely alHed to the female P. cokhicus, but is some- 

 w^hat darker, especially on the hinder parts. 



I have named the species after our Academician, M. A. A. Strauch. 



This bird inhabits the wooded parts of the Kan-su mountains, up to an 

 absolute height of 10,000 feet. It appears to be most numerous in the 

 Tetunga and Buguk-gol valleys ; but higher up these rivers, where woods 

 are scarce, it disappears. 



In voice and habits it does not differ from the two preceding species. 

 The breeding-season commences in April or March, and lasts until the 

 middle of July. The earhest young we obtained on the 23rd of June. The 

 number of young averages from six to ten, and sometimes even twelve : 

 they are always accompanied by both the parents ; and very often the male 

 bird defends the young even more vigorously than the female. 



The northern hmit of its distribution is formed by the Kan-su. 

 mountains. 



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