284 
ORNITHOLOGY, 
820 {ter). Caccabis pallidus, sp. nov. 
In Yarkand a species of Chikone swarms (wherever the 
rivers debouch into the plains) over a belt of country some 
ten or fifteen miles in width. The Yarkandis disdain the 
use of firearms for the chase of these birds. A party of men 
mounted on ponies and armed with whips pursue a covey and 
in a very short time succeed in capturing the whole flock. 
The Chikone will never rise more than twice, and after that 
as they run, they are easily overtaken and knocked over with 
whips. This sport is carried on over the most terribly rough 
ground in the rocky valleys, but the Yarkand ponies traverse 
at the top of their speed country, that most men would only 
crawl over with the utmost caution and deliberation. 
[G. H.] 
The Yarkand specimens differ still more from the Indian 
than does the one procured in Ladak. They are excessively 
pale, and are overlaid with a desert tint, similar to what is 
observable in C. arenarius, nobis, above referred to. The 
wing measures from 6*0 to 6 25, the bill at front 0 8, and 
from the exterior angle of the nares 0'51, it seems very 
questionable whether all these various nearly allied races de- 
serve specific separation, but if this race is to be separated it 
may stand as C. pallidus. [A. 0. H.~\ 
829. Coturnix communis (Bonnaterre). 
One specimen of the common Quail was caught on the 
24th September, at the Karatag lake (13,500 feet) and kept 
alive for several days. It was the only Quail actually ob- 
served during the journey, but though not flushed or bagged 
they were heard calling in all the fields in Yarkand. 
845. Charadrius longipes, Temminck. 
This species was very abundant in August in the vicinity 
of Yarkand. The specimens are in nearly full breeding 
plumage (obtained August 22ud to 28th). They do not 
differ perceptibly either as to length of tarsus or size from 
specimens procured in the plains of India during the cold 
season. 
