194 



in the summer in the numerous gardens in the eastern part of the Ahal oasis, as also along the 

 course of the Douchak and in the Pinde and Merv oases. From this latter it extends commonly 

 to the sand-hills bordering the Alikhanow canal. I am puzzled to state which are the favourite 

 haunts of this bird, for, on the one hand, I have often found it nesting in the desert-plains which 

 reminded me of those in which are the ruins of Old Merv, and, on the other hand, I met with 

 it in rich fertile places, in gardens, woods, bushes, &c. Anyhow, one can say that in summer it 

 affects the plains or a hillocky, sandy, dry place, clayey or stony, scantily covered with grass, with 

 only here and there a few bushes or solitary low trees. The vicinity of a watercourse, lake, river, 

 or ditch is a necessity. On the 17th June I saw flocks of about seventy fully-fledged young birds 

 perfectly strong on the wing." Messrs. Radde and Walter also speak of it (Vog. Transcasp. 

 p. 26) as being one of the commonest Finches in Transcaspia, where it is resident and breeds 

 twice in the year. It frequents gardens and the bush and reed-covered banks of brooks, the 

 tamarisk-patches in the desert, and was met with east of the Murghab in the desolate Ferula 

 deserts on the Afghan frontier. Dr. Aitchison met with it on the Afghan Delimitation 

 Commission Expedition at Khusan-Hari-rud in April; Col. Swinhoe (Ibis, 1882, p. 114) found 

 it common throughout the year in the gardens near Kandahar ; and Sir Oliver St. John remarks 

 (Ibis, 1889, p. 172) that it is common in winter at Kandahar, and is often netted and brought 

 in for sale. He met with it during the summer in Persian localities nearly as hot as Kandahar, 

 though somewhat higher in elevation, and it may breed there. 



In Persia it appears to be resident. De Filippi found it breeding in gardens at Kazvin ; 

 Blanford obtained one at Niriz in June ; and Sir O. St. John found it at Shiraz from June to 

 December. 



Col. Biddulph first met with it at Sanju in November, and on the march thence to Yarkand. 

 During the winter it was not obtained in Kashghar, but it was very common throughout the 

 plains of Yarkand and right up to the foot of the hills during May and June. Dr. Scully, 

 however, speaks of it as "numerous in the plains of Kashgharia, where it is a permanent 

 resident. This species was common at Kashghar in winter, where it frequented hedges, often 

 in company with the Sparrow {Passer montanus). Near Yarkand in summer it was found about 

 trees, in orchards, and in clumps of poplars. It has a very sweet song, and feeds entirely 

 on seeds." 



According to Prof. Menzbier (Ibis, 1885, p. 353), Messrs. Majev and Wilkins found it on 

 the Upper Tarim, Kashgharia, near the Taushkan-Darja, and at Ush-turfan. Severtzoff met 

 with it in Turkestan, where it appears to be common and resident ; and Col. Prjevalsky says 

 (Orn. Misc. ii. p. 303) that he met with this Finch " only in the northern bend of the Hoang-ho, 

 the Muni-ul and Hara-narin-ul Mountains," and that the Hoang-ho or, rather, the Muni-ul 

 Mountains form the northern boundary of its range, which probably does not extend eastward 

 beyond Ordos, as' it has not been recorded from China proper. He does not know for certain, 

 but believes it most probable that it is resident in Mongolia. 



As above stated, this Rose-Finch frequents not only the desert but also cultivated places, 

 and is generally to be met with near streams and brooks. It breeds twice in the year, and 

 Mr. Zarudny says (/. c.) that he has taken nests as late as the first week in July. The nest is, 

 he says, placed on the top of a bush or on the side branches of an isolated shrub, always in full 



