  We present the chemical compositions of four K giants CS 22877-1, CS
22166-16, CS22169-35 and BS 16085 - 0050 that have [Fe/H] in the range -2.4 to
-3.1. Metal-poor stars with [Fe/H] < -2.5 are known to exhibit considerable
star - to - star variations of many elements. This quartet confirms this
conclusion. CS 22877-1 and CS 22166-16 are carbon-rich. There is significant
spread for [$\alpha$/Fe] within our sample where [$\alpha$/Fe] is computed from
the mean of the [Mg/Fe], and [Ca/Fe] ratios. BS 16085 - 0050 is remarkably
$\alpha$ enriched with a mean [$\alpha$/Fe] of $+$0.7 but CS 22169-35 is
$\alpha$-poor. The aluminium abundance also shows a significant variation over
the sample. A parallel and unsuccessful search among high-velocity late-type
stars for metal-poor stars is described.
