The Rashīdī History 155.2.1

155.2.1

In Khotan there are two rivers, called Kara Kash and Urung Kash, in both of which jade is met with, and it is found nowhere else in the world. The waters of these two rivers are preferred [by some] to that of Yarkand, but personally, I could never find the superiority in them. Khotan is amongst the most famous towns in the world, but at the present time its jade is the only thing that remains worth writing about. One curious circumstance concerning Khotan, is that magpies are never seen there ; or if, at any time, one happens to appear, it is taken as a bad omen, and the people band together and drive it away.