Some of the species of the fish taken by Dr. Finsch
in the Ala-Kul were new to him. That of the commonest
occurrence was a species of Perch (Perea
Schrenkii, Kessl.), which grows to the length of a foot
or more; then the Schizothorax Orientalis, Kessl.,
called “ Marinka ” by the Cossacks, a species belonging
to the group of Barbels ; and, further, two species of
Diplophysa belonging to the Loaches, the last named
Psestrak (D. Labiata, Kessl., and D. Strauchi, Kessl.).
The Perch were greedily eaten by the Cossacks and
Kirghese, but the Marinka, supposed to be poisonous,
were thrown aside. Dr. Finsch, however, boiled afine .
specimen, two feet long, and ate of it (the roe excepted)
with enjoyment, and without ill-effects. In
fact, the meat of this species 'is generally used as food
Avocetta), Stilt Plovers (Himantopus Candidas), Redshanks (Totanus
Calidris), Cranes (Grus Communis), and Lapwings (J anellus Vulgaris).
Coots (Fúlica Atra) may also be observed, and numberless
flocks of Ducks and Gulls. Amongst the latter, besides the Bla ckheaded
Gull (Larus Ridibundus) appears its gigantic relative, the
Great Black-headed Gull (Z . Ichthyaètus), whilst of Ducks, besides the
■ common Wild Duck, the Teal, the Pintail, and the Gadwall (Anas
Foscas, Crecca, Acuta, eè Streperà) are met with the Ruddy and
Common Sheldrake ( A . Rutila et Tadorna), as well as the beautiful
Red-crested Pochard (A . Rufina). Cormorants flit by occasionally in
small flocks, as w ell as Egrets (Ardea Egretta) and Swans ; and round
the traveller’ s tent, with their usual boldness, show themselves Brah-
miny Kites (Milvus Govinda), and a Crow, which cannot be easily
approached, but whose wings in the sunlight shimmer of a peculiar
brown. Amongst the smaller birds are the Black-headed, Grey-headed,
Common White (Motacilla Alba) ,.a n d even the Grey W a g ta il (M.
Boarula). Amongst the reeds is heard the note of the Grasshopper
Warbler (Calamoherpe Locusiella) and.the Stone-Chat (Pratíncola.
Rubicola). Notwithstanding that the district is treeless, the Turtle
Dove (Turtur Meena) is found there, and also, strange to say, the
Red-throated Thrush (Turdus Ruficollis). To these must be added
that beautiful appearance, the Rosy Starling (Pastor Roseus) and
numerous' Ortolans (Emberiza Hortulana), whilst numerous colonies
of Sand Martins (Cotile Riparia) build in the banks of the lake.
Close at hand may.be found, too, numerous Lizards. Besides the
in Central Asia, and sells in Kopal for a halfpenny
per pound. The Kirghese, who carry out no regular
fishing operations, say that there are no more than
these four kinds of fish in the Ala-Kul. The presence
therein of mollusks is testified to in the sand on the
banks by bleached shells of fresh-water mollusks
(Limncea Planorbis, Bithmia, et Valvata), which, with
a Land Snail (Helix Semenoni), has been attributed
only to the Thian Shan.
Before taking leave of the fauna of the Ala-Kul
district, mention must be made among Mammalia of
Arctic Hares (Lepus Variabilis), the Kara-biruk Antilope
(Antilope subgutturosa), the Ibex (Capra Sibinca),
the Water Shrew (Crossopus Fodiens), the Prickly Hog,
and the Wild Ass. This last is found in several parts
of the Central Asian steppes; “ Kulan ” is the name
by which the animal is known to the Kirghese. The
Mongols call it “ Dsckggetai.” It is probably the same
species described by Pallas as Equus Hemionus (with
shorter ears, and consequently more horse-like appear-
Lacerta Agilis, met with in beautiful varieties of colouring, may be remarked
two other species. One species is of a light brown colour with
dark spots (Eremias Variabilis, Pall.), the other (Phrynocephalus
Helioscopus, Pall.) is smaller, with very flatly-pressed hind quarters,
and short round head, which, with a generally brownish colour, is distinguished
by beautiful light sky blue and rose coloured spots, the latter
colour extending to the lower side of the tail. These little reptiles,
which Dr. Finsch thinks may fairly be regarded as the representative
Lizards of the Southern Steppe region, as well as parts of Mongolia
and China, have their abodes in holes apparently scratched out or
enlarged by themselves, above which are found little heaps of earth like
mole-hills. The passages are said to be frequently six or eight feet long,
and invariably terminate in a small chamber scarcely two inches high,
filled with dry grass. They feed chiefly upon Beetles, among which
Dorcadias (Abamukovi, Thoms, politum, Dolm.) are most frequent,
and around their subterraneous dwellings are found small woolly balls
enclosing the elytra and other rejected fragments of beetles’ wings,
coverings, and legs.