250 



but only possess two from there. Dr. Eversmann writes (J. f. O. 1853, p. 291) that it "not only 

 occurs at the mouths of the Ural and Volga, as well as on the shores of the Caspian, in reed- 

 covered localities, but also on the lakes Aral and Syr Darya." Dr. Severtzoff records it from 

 Turkestan, where it is resident, he says, in some localities ; but he doubts if it is resident on the 

 Issik-kul. Mr. J. Scully also, in his article on the avifauna of Eastern Turkestan (Stray Feathers, 

 iv. p. 166), writes respecting the present species as follows: — "The first specimen of this species 

 was shot at Beshkant, in the beginning of February, on waste ground overgrown with small 

 bushes ; three other specimens were obtained near Yarkand in April. This bird frequents the 

 edges of marshy ground and rice-fields, breeds in Kashgharia, and is probably a permanent 

 resident. The Turki name for this Bunting is Karabash kuchkach, ' the black-headed bird.' 

 The Yarkandi Shikaris say that the nest of this species is always placed in i Yekan, i. e. 

 reed-beds. 



There can be no doubt, judging from the careful measurements given by Mr. Scully, that 

 the specimens obtained by him were really referable to the present species. 



Dr. Otto Finsch also states (Ibis, 1877, p. 53) that he met with the present species along the 

 Kara or Black Irtisch. 



About the habits of this species I find nothing on record ; but it affects the same localities, 

 and probably differs but little, if at all, in habits from the common Reed-Bunting. I have seen 

 eggs from Astrachan stated to be those of this bird, which were rather larger, but did not other- 

 wise differ from those of Emberiza schoeniclus. 



The specimen figured is one in my own collection from Astrachan. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. H. E. Dresser. 



a, $ . Astrachan. b, d winter dress. Astrachan {Moschler). 



E Mus. Lugd. 



a, 6 . Gourieff, Caspian. 



E Mus. Howard Saunders. 

 a, 6 . Astrachan, June 1872 {Moschler). b, <5 . Syr Darya, Turkestan, November 15th, 1866 {Severtzoff) . 



