to ioo miles at the base, and I observed also along the
road poplars, Scotch firs, and willows. The vegetation
also improved, though there was little grass, and that
little mixed with rushes. We found clover and immortelles,
and at the next station, Dolonsk, bought a
melon for $d., five times what it would have cost
further south.
With improved vegetation came a greater development
of animal life, and I noticed the appearance of
Hooded Crows, Magpies, various kinds of Hawks, and
birds that I took to be Plovers. In crossing the Irtish
steppe in spring, Dr. Finsch frequently met with
Whooper Swans (Cygnus Musicus) in flocks, sometimes
of 20 or more, which he supposed to breed in the
locality.
Both Winter and Black-headed Gulls (Larus Canus
and Ridibundus) are frequently seen soaring above the
deserted Steppe, far, very far from water, looking
doubtless for insects and worms as food. The Oyster-
catcher (Hcematopus Ostralegus) is also occasionally
met with, and the Yellow-headed Wagtail (Motacilla
Citreola). In the sandy banks of the Irtish are found
numerous nest holes of Sand Martins (Cotile Riparia),
which nest here in common with the House Martin
(Chelidon Urbica). These last, however, do not excavate
nest tunnels, but only shallow holes. In April
White-winged Larks (Alauda Sibiricd) show themselves
in large flights, and the sweet trill is heard of
the Skylark (Alauda Arvensis), notwithstanding the
frequent showers of snow and hail. By erecting boxes
on poles, the Cossacks provide nesting places for
house and tree Sparrows, and sometimes Starlings ;
but Magpies, Crows, Jackdaws, and Ravens have to
make their own arrangements for nests on the bushlike
dwarf-birches.* I noticed about the villages of
the Steppe, as I constantly did through Siberia in 1879,
a variety of Hawks and Kites. O f the Brahminy Kite
(.Milvus Govmda) several specimens are seen. The
charming Red-footed Falcon (Falco Vespertinus) holds
its quarters particularly along the telegraph line, that
possesses, I have frequently noticed in treeless regions,
so much attraction for all birds of prey, the wires and
poles being so readily adapted by them for resting
points. On the poles are often seen perched the
Osprey (Pandion Haliaetus), and, further south, other
Eagles. The Lesser Kestrel (Falco Cenchris) is not
rare. Now and again a Little Bustard (Otis Tetrax)
dashes by the traveller with heavy wing, soon, however,
to settle again, as also does its larger congener
{Otis Tarda). On the downs of the Irtish is seen the
Willow Ptarmigan {Lagopus A/bus), and keeping near
* I was able to purchase at Omsk, besides butterflies and beetles, a
small collection of birds’ eggs found in the neighbourhood, which last
Mr. H. E. Dresser, the well-known author of the “ Birds of Europe,”
has kindly determined for me thus :—
Orange-legged Hobby
Red-spotted Blue-throat
Booted Warbler
Tawny Pipit
Tree Pipit .
Yellow W a gta il
Reed Bunting
Eastern Bullfinch
Swallow
Grey Shrike
Golden Oriole
J ay
Magpie
Crow
Quail .
Black Grouse
Common Snipe
VOL. I.
Falco Vespertinas.
Cyanecula Suecica.
Ilypolais Caligata.
An th u s Campestis.
An thus Trivialis.
Motacilla Flava.
Emberiza Schoeniclus.
Pyrrhula Major.
Hirundo Rustica.
Lanius Excubitor.
Oriolus Gálbula.
Garrulus Brandti.
Pica Rustica.
Corvus Cornix.
Coturnix Communis.
Tetrao Tetrix.
Gallinago Coelestis.