fFrom THE IBIS for January 1980, pp. 67-11.9.j

THE BIRDS OF THE RAWAL PINDI

DISTRICT, N.W. INDIA.

BY

HUGH WHISTLER, M.B.O.U., F.Z.S.

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries [From The Ibis for January, 1930, pp. 67-119.]

The Birds of the Rawal Pindi District, _/V. IF. India. By Hugh Whistler, M.B.O.U., F.Z.S.

The Rawal Pindi and Oampbellpore districts together com¬ prise the most northerly portion of the Punjab Province of India. Roughly speaking, their boundaries are formed by very pronounced natural features, which contribute to the interesting character of their avifauna. Along their northern fringe runs the outer line of the Himalaya with but a scanty fringe of foot-hills, and at the north-eastern corner of the Rawal Pindi district the Himalaya turn sharply southwards and in Kashmir form a huge barrier down the eastern edge of the district, divided from it by the deep gorge of the Jhelum river. The great River Indus forms the boundary along the western side of the Campbellpore district. The southern edge of the area is buttressed up by the Salt Range and its adjacent hills, so that the greater part of the Attock and Rawal Pindi districts, together with the Ohakwal tehsil of the Jhelum district, form an elevated plateau varying in height from 1000-2000 ft. above the sea. Rawal Pindi district itself comprises two very distinct faunas. In the north-eastern corner the Murree tehsil

is composed of a small wedge of mountainous country reaching an elevation of over 7000 ft., which is a wedge of the outer Himalayas continued to the one side in Kashmir by the Pir Panjal and to the other by the mountains of the Hazara district, where the Himalayas commence to lose their distinctive character. At Murree the fauna is still truly Himalayan in character, and it may still be so considered in the G-alis which are within the administrative boundaries of Hazara (N.W.F. Province), though easily reached in a day from Murree. Murree itself is one of the best known of the Western Himalayan hill-stations. The neighbouring Dunga Gali, Changla Gali, Nathia Gali, and Thandiani are smaller sanatoria, less widely known. f 2 Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries 68 Mr. Hugh Whistler : Birds of the [Ibis,

From Murree the foot-hills run down to the plateau on which stands Rawal Pindi, one of the most important cantonments of India. Along the northern edge of the district the boundary is so fixed that the merest fringe of foot-hills is included, but directly south of Murree a wide area of foot-hills extending along the right bank of the Jhelum river is included in the Kahuta tehsil. In the Murree and Kahuta tehsils there is little cultivation. The higher hills are largely covered with tree-forest, which in the lower drier hills gives place to brush-scrub. The Rawal Pindi and Gfujar Khan tehsils, which form part of the level plateau already described, are closely culti¬ vated except where their light loam soil is eaten away by rain-cut ravines. In addition to the Jhelum river running down its eastern border the district is drained by a number of torrents and rivers, of which the best known, the Sohan, empties eventually into the Indus. The climate of the district is distinctly good. In Murree, of course, it is similar to that of other Himalayan stations, except that before the rains the heat can be trying and scarcity of water promotes dust with its attendant evils. In Rawal Pindi frequent showers, having their origin in hill-storms, mitigate the heat of the summer, while the winter is long and cold. The avifauna of Rawal Pindi district is plentiful and varied, in response to its position and natural advantages. At Murree there are the typical Himalayan birds. On the plateau are many species characteristic of the plains of the Punjab. The bare low hills and the broken ravines introduce several species which are very characteristic of the N.W. Frontier of India, whilst in the scrub-covered foot-hills we find the most westerly limit of other birds whose truer home is in Peninsular India. In winter interesting stragglers from the hills arrive on the Rawal Pindi plateau. The influx of birds on the spring and autumn migrations is very marked, though, curiously

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enough, several common species, as, for instance, the Rosy Pastor, appear to pass along a route south-west of the district and just missing it. It is unfortunate that a district of such interest has not yet been fully worked from an ornithological point o£ view. Several well-known egg-collectorsr">o have been stationed at or have spent their leave at Murree or in the Gfalis, and have collected in the hills around. Several of them have recorded their experiences, and a list of the more important of these accounts follow below. No account of the birds of Rawal Pindi itself or of the birds of the district as a whole has yet been written. I was posted to Rawal Pindi district in 1925, and it was my hope then to supply the omission. Circumstances however, led to my retirement from service before I had been more than six months in the district. As I had on three previous occasions, in 1910-1911, in 1912, and in 1918, been posted to the district for short periods, I have thought it desirable to combine my scattered observations into this paper; to it: I have added the gist of all the published and unpublished notes to which I have had access, including those from the Gfalis which appear to throw a light on the ornithology of Murree. The result is admittedly imperfect, and fails to be a complete account of a district which must be of great importance to the study of both Palasarctic and Indian birds. It will, I hope, however, serve to act as a starting-point for some future ornithologist, enabling him to see what is already known of the birds of the district, and encouraging him to complete the account. There are a large number of birds in my collection from the district, and for over a hundred of these I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. B. B. Osmaston, C.I.E., who kindly presented me with the specimens he procured in one cold weather at Rawalpindi. Brig.-General Kenneth Buchanan has kindly allowed me to see some of his notes for Murree and the Galis.

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The following are the chief notes published about the district:—

(a) Notes on a Collection of Eggs made in anil about Murree, by Captains Cock and C. H. T. Marshall. 'Stray Feathers,' i. pp. 348-358 (1873). [Period of observations middle of May to end of July, 1872.] (b) Birds Nesting in the Murree Hills and Gfullies, by Lt.-Col. R. H. Rattray. Journal Bombay N. H. Society, xvi. (1905), Part I. pp. 421-428, Part II. pp. 657-663. [Period of observation 2 summers.]

(c) Notes on the Birds of Thandiani, by Major H. F. Magrath. J. B. N. H. S. xviii. pp. 284-299 (1908). [Period of observations 20 May-10 July, 1907.] (d) Bird Notes from Murree and the Gfalis, by Major H. F. Magrath. J. B.N. 11. S. xix. pp. 142-156 (1909). [Period of observations April-July, 1908.] (e) Bird Notes from Dunga Gfali, by Major H. F. Magrath. J. B. N. II. S. xix. pp. 753-755 (1909). [Period of observations summer 1909.] (/) 'Birds Nesting in India' (Calcutta, 1877), by Capt. Gf. F. L. Marshall, includes many Murree records.

Corvus corax lawrencei Hume. Raven. A very common resident, generally distributed throughout the district up to about 2000 ft., and congregating in numbers wherever camping-grounds, special manoeuvres,, slaughter-houses and the like provide an unusual food- supply. The birds may be found in pairs throughout the year, and when not nesting they congregate to roost in company :■ for instance, near Gfujar Khan I found at least fifty Ravens roosting together in some trees, and the evening flight to such roosting-places is often noticeable, the pairs flying fast and low over the country from a considerable distance. Pariah Kites also join these roosts. It seems strange that Ravens' do not follow the troops

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up to Murree. In 1908 Magrath noted that Ravens were occasionally to be seen about the Murree ridge when the rains had broken in July, and I believe that I saw some about Sunnybank on my first visit in September, 1910. But as a general rule the statement remains true that the species does not occur above 2000 ft. or after the outermost ranges of foot-hills are penetrated. The breeding-season is very early, most egj,s being found in February. The earliest nest taken contained five slightly incubated eggs on 29 January. In this district the nests are nearly all built in cliffs or in the girders of bridges, and I found only one on a tree. The same site is occupied again and again, and in 1925 I noticed a pair occupying a hole in a cliff where I saw a nest in 1911. I visited

a nest under a bridge late one evening, and found that the female was roosting in the nest and the male on the girder beside her.

[Corvus corone orientalis Eversm. Eastern Oarrion-Urow. Magrath notes that the Carrion-Orow, both adults and young, appeared about the ridge of Murree in July, when the rains had broken. He considered that it probably bred in the vicinity, and said that it might be recognized from the Jungle-Crow by its distinctive caw. No one else appears to have met with this bird at Murree, and in the absence of specimens I do not think that this record can be fully accepted by anyone who knows the bird in Ladakh, and appreciates the way in which it is there so definitely a bird of the high altitude dry zone as contrasted with the afforested area of Kashmir proper.]

Corvus coronoides intermedins Adams. Jungle-Crow. A very common resident in the Murree hills and the Gfalis up to their highest points (9000 ft.), breeding in April, May, and June. Great numbers collect to roost on the hillsides below Viewforth Hotel. Its lowest limit

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in summer appears to be about 4000 ft., but in winter from September onwards it occurs from Murree downwards all through the foot-hills to about Taxilla, Bharakow, 2000 Et., Kahuta, 2000 ft., Punjar, 2700 Et., Rajghar, 1600 ft., and Salgran, 1750 Et. It was not seen further out at Kallar, 1750 ft. At that season stragglers visit the plateau, as for instance, I have the following records of single birds:— 11 December, 1926, Sangjani; 27 February, 1926, Attock Station ; 3 March, 1923, Topi Rakh (Foster, J.B.N.H. S. xxix. p. 841). This Crow is very destructive to the eggs and young of other birds.

Corvus frugilegus frugilegus L. Rook. A very abundant winter visitor to the Rawal Pindi plateau, though their numbers probably vary considerably from year to year. In the winter of 1910-1911 I first observed them on 7 November, and they were common by 14 November. During the whole of that winter till early February at least, they passed over Rawal Pindi in immense numbers every evening in company with Corvus splendens and C. monedxila on their way to roost, returning again in scattered parties in the morning. In the winter of 1925-26 I first found them on 27 Nov¬ ember, and they were observed about until 14 March, but their numbers never equalled those of the earlier winter, and there was no noticeable evening flight. On the Murree road they were observed about cultivation as far as Bharakow, while on the Attock road I did not see them beyond Hatti. Oordeaux records (Ibis, 1894, p. 371) that in his experience they arrived in thousands at Rawal Pindi about the end of October, both adults and immature birds, and that they roosted in the Park. The flocks are usually accompanied by parties of Jack¬ daws. The flesh is regarded as eatable by local Mahomedans. I am not yet satisfied of the distinctness of the eastern race C. f. tscliusii Hartert.

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Corvus splendens zugmayeri Laubm. House-Crow. A very abundant resident on the Rawal Pindi plateau ; it is exceedingly regular in its breeding-habits, the first eggs being laid about the last week in June. Although fairly common in Kashmir at the height of 5000 ft., they are unable to extend any distance into the Murree hills. A few occur at Tret (3300 ft.), doubtless having spread as high along the road with the influence of the military camping-grounds, but away from the main road, Kahuta (2000 ft.) and Kallar (1750 ft.) mark their ordinary limits. I saw a sino-le bird further towards at O the Jhelum Khairlie (1520 ft.) on 20-22 February, 1926. It. appears probable that this restriction of range is due to inability to compete with the Jungle-Crow, which, while abundant in all the wooded ranges, becomes scarce again in the open plain of Kashmir.

Corvus monedula scemmeringii Fischer. Jackdaw. Like the Rook, with which it is usually found in company, the Jackdaw is a winter visitor to the Rawal Pindi plateau, and its numbers vary a good deal in different years. In 1911 they were common in January and early February. In the winter of 1925-26 they were distinct^ scarce, and I only noted them on 27 November and 14 March.

Urocissa flavirostris cucullata Gould. Yellow-billed Magpie. A very common resident in the forests of the Murree Hills, the Galis, and Thandiani in the highest zone from 6000 to 9000 ft. Fggs may be found in May and June, and occasionally July, and fledglings begin to appear in the beginning of June. Colonel C. II. T. Marshall found his earliest eggs on 10 May, and a nearly fresh clutch as late as 15 August. Most nests are placed in oak- trees at heights of 10 to 30 ft. from the ground, and the hen is a close sitter. This species is found in pairs and family parties, and individuals are very restricted in their range ; by this I mean that when a party has been

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located in one particular spot it will always be found at or around the same place. They are very destructive to the eggs and young of other birds.

Dendrocitta rufa pallida (Blyth). Indian Tree-Pie. A very common resident in the lower hill-jungles in a zone from the edge of the cultivated plateau 1700 ft. up to about 4500 ft. The plateau itself is scarcely wooded enough for the requirements of this species, and there it is, in consequence, less common. The single specimen pre¬ served clearly belongs to this large race if it is to be main¬ tained. Very destructive to the eggs and young of other birds.

Garrulus lanceolatus Vigors. Black-throated Jay. A very common resident in the forests of the Murree Hills, the Galis, and Thandiani from 5000 ft. up to at least 8000 ft. It breeds in May and June, and Cob O. H. T. Marshall found eggs as early as 20 April. After the young are reared the birds go about in family parties.

Garrulus bispecularis bispecularis Vigors. Himalayan Jay. Resident and not uncommon in the forests of the Murree Hills about 6000-7500 ft., and somewhat higher in the Galis. At Thandiani it is scarce, and there Magrath only met with a single pair. It breeds earlier than the last species, and lays in April, most of the young being hatched by the middle of May. I found hard-set eggs on 1 June, 1918, and Rattray records hard-set eggs on 16 June, 1903.

[Nucifraga multipunctata Gould. Larger-spotted Hut- cracker. Although there is as yet no record of the Nutcracker in the Rawal Pindi district, it is certain to occur in the Murree Hills at times, as at Nathia Gali 1 found it common about 9000 ft. both in July and September. Magrath says that he heard it constantly for about ten days in the middle of June at Thandiani. it is of course also common in Kashmir.]

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Parus major kaschmiriensis Hartert. Kashmir Grey Tit. Breeds commonly at Murree, and doubtless also in the valleys of the Galis, in a zone from 6000 ft. downwards probably to about 3000 ft. I have no very definite information about its status in the hill ranges in winter beyond the fact that I saw one at Murree at 6500 ft. on 21 November and a few near Ghora Gali (5000 ft.) on 7 January, and it is common in winter in the lowest foot-hills up to at least 2500 ft. In the Kashmir Valley, 5000 ft., it is common throughout the winter. However that may be, numbers arrive on the plateau from Attock and Bawal Pindi southwards from October till the end of March, and they may then be found anywhere singly or in small parties searching the boughs of trees for insects.

Parus monticolus monticolus Vigors. Green-bached Tit. Extremely common, and a resident in the Murree Hills and in the neighbouring Galis and about Thandiani from 6000 ft. to 8000 ft. It lays about May, and young are on the wing by the end of June. After that it is particularly noticeable as one of the mainstays of the hunting-parties. A few birds visit the plateau during the winter from January till March, as, for instance, two in Civil Lines on 28 January, 1911, two in the Topi Park on 10 Feb¬ ruary, 1926, and one at Kallar on 27 March, 1911.

Lophophanes melanolophus (Vigors). Crested Black Tit. A few pairs of this cheerful little bird may possibly nest on the top of the Murree ridge, but its breeding-zone is really rather higher, and it is one of the commonest birds at Thandiani and Miranjani, 9000 ft., and in the Galis. There some eggs are laid as early as the end of April, but the majority may be found in May. By the beginning of June family parties are everywhere in evidence in this higher zone. These must move about a good deal, as at the end of June and in July a few appear in Murree and join the mixed hunting-parties, though they never become common there, and I did not meet with any in November.

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Mr. A. E Jones informs me that he met with this Tit in small numbers about Rawal Pindi in January 1927.

Lophophanes rufonuchalis (Blyth). Simla Black Tit. Mr. A. E. Jones also informs me that he met with this Tit in the low hills about Margala and in Rawal Pindi in January 1927.

Machloloplnis xantliogenys xanthogenys (Vigors). Yellow- cheeked Tit.

A common species, and doubtless resident, on the south side of the Murree ridge in the somewhat sparse jungle of hill-oaks and cheel which is found along the hill-side at about 6000 ft., and also about Ghora Gali. An occasional party climbs the hill-side and visits the inhabited area higher up, but they seldom, if ever, reach the top of the hill, and I have never seen them in the heavj' forest of the northern face of Murree. This Tit is very sociable in its habits, family parties keeping together and joining the mixed hunting-parties. The call-note is easily recognized, being very distinct from that of the other Tits.

iEgitlialiscus concinnus iredalei S.-B. Red-headed Tit..

A common resident from 6500 ft. to 7300 ft. on the Murree ridge, and doubtless also at similar elevations in the neighbouring hills, though it is less common on the higher hills of the Galis. At Thandiani Magrath saw only a single individual. Cock and Marshall say that it lays in May, and I saw a pair carrying feathers on June 1st; but I think that the majority must nest earlier in March and April, as further eastwards at Dharmsala and Simla family parties may be seen as early as May. Davidson records a pair building at Murree between 18-21 April (Ibis, 1898, p. 2), and near Ohangla Gali Buchanan took three clutches of eggs in April.

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Sitta leucopsis leucopsis Gould. White-cheeked Nuthatch. I have never personally met with any species of Nuthatch at Murree, and. Rattray says that this species does not occur there. There is, however, a Murree specimen in the British Museum collected by Stoliczka on 2 July, 1873, and Magrath considers that it is by no means rare in Murree. In the Galis it is, however, fairly common above 8000 ft., and also on Miranjani and at Thandiani, laying about the end of May.

[Sitta castaneiventris cinnamoventris Blyth. Cinnamon- bellied Nuthatch. The sole authority for the oft-repeated statement that this Nuthatch occurs as far west as Murree appears to be four undated specimens in the British Museum labelled as obtained by Biddulph at Murree. Only one of these contains Biddulph's own label, and I cannot help thinking that some confusion occurred between Biddulph and Scully's Gilgit collections and Scully's Nepal collection. Not only has no one else apparently met with it in the Murree Hills—and its inclusion in the Kashmir list (J. B.N. II. S. xvii. p. Ill) appears to have been an error—but I can find only one more rather doubtful record (Theog. 7 Oct.; Stewart, ' Zoologist,' 1886, p. 393) west of the Mussoorie-Gangaotri neighbourhood, where Brooks found it to be the prevailing Nuthatch in the lower hills amongst the cheel-pines (S. F. iii. p. 234).]

[Sitta europsea caslimirensis Brooks. Brooks' Nuthatch. Brooks' Nuthatch is said to breed in some numbers in the Murree Galis. It may do so, but I have seen no published record to that effect, nor have I ever met with it within the limits of this paper. The Murree specimens referred to by Oates are those attributed to Biddulph and already referred to under the last species.]

Garrulax albogularis wliistleri S.-B. White-throated Laughing-Thrush. Colonel C. H. T. Marshall and Captain Cock found several nests of this Laughing-Thrush at Murree at elevations

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between 6000 ft. and 7000 ft. from 3 May to quite the end of June. The nests seem to have all belonged to one colony of the birds ; they are probably very local and scarce in the Murree Hills, as this is near their western limit. The species does not occur in either Rattray's or Magrath's lists, and I never found it at Murree or near the Gfalis. Major R. "W. G. Hingston, however, informs me that he obtained it in May or June 1912 at Changla Gali, and specimens collected by Stoliczka in 1873 at Murree on 21 June and 10 July and two others at Changla Gali on 5 July are in the British Museum.

Trochalopteron erythroceplialum erythrocephalum (Vigors). Red-headed Laughing-Thrush. There is a specimen of this bird in the Indian Museum collected by Stoliczka at Changla Gali on 5 July, 1873, but I know of no other certain record west of Kangra and Ckamba.

Trochalopteron variegatum simile Hume. Western Varie¬ gated Laughing-Thrush. One of the commonest birds in the Murree Hills, the Galis, and Thandiani from about 6000 ft. up to 10,000 ft., and a resident species. It may be found in all types of jungle, even in the trees of the more open parts. Although very arboreal in its habits it ventures freely into the under¬ growth close to the ground ; being a skulker at heart, it is always careful to keep well in cover, and is observed with difficulty. Its beautiful whistling calls—-pre-pewe-wheup or zdrip-din-i-wiah or dio-pi-wiah—are amongst the most familiar bird-notes of Murree. The breeding-season is in May or June, but a few eggs may be found in April and in July and early August.

Trochalopteron lineatum lineatum (Vigors). Streaked Laughing-Thrush. The commonest bird of the Murree Hills and Galis and

Thandiani in a zone between 4000 ft. and 9000 ft.; found on every type of ground, from bushes on barren hillsides and

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cultivation to heavy forest. Its confiding tumeness and its fondness for gardens, where it shuffles about on the ground and in the undergrowth renders it familiar to everyone. It is usually found in small parties which utter various " churring " and squeaky notes, as well as clear breeding- calls of ju-wi-ye, trit-tew, and tewit. It breeds from April to August, but most eggs will be found in May and June. It is a resident species, though it may drift downhill a little in the winter months. This species is oflen used as a foster-parent by some of the Cuckoos.

Turdoides terricolor siudianus Ticehurst. Jungle-Babbler. In the Ibis for 1916, p. 44, I stated that the Jungle- Babbler does not occur in the Jheluin district north of the Salt Range nor in the Rawal Pindi district, and that the northern crest of the Salt Range must be taken as its extreme boundary in this part of India. This statement is correct as regards the plains and the plateau in which they terminate. It is, however, according to Ward, found in the Jammu Province and in the Jhelum Valley up to 4000 ft. ; from there it extends along the foot-hills in small numbers on the right bank of the Jhelum, where I have met it at Dangali, 1500 ft,, and near Salgran, 1750 ft., in February, to the low hills at 2000 ft. between Bharakow and the tollgate, where the Murree road leavestheplains. Here Meinertzhagen also obtained it (Ibis, 1927, p. 44). He attributes his single specimen to the typical race, but my solitary specimen agrees well with my Punjab series of sindianus.

Argya caudata eclipes (Hume). Common Babbler. A. very common resident throughout the plateau, breeding in March, April, and May. In the foot-hills it is found in small numbers up to about 2000 ft., as at Kahuta. Hender¬ son found it common in Punch, and it must extend into the valleys along the banks of the Jhelum, as on 20 November I saw some on the road between Kohala (2000 ft.) and Phagwara, while I have seen it as high as Kotli. Buchanan took eggs below Changla Grali on 27 June.

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Pomatorhinus erytkrogenys erythrogenys Vigors. Rusty- cheeked Scimitar-Babbler. I obtained a male at Patriata (7000 ft.) on 18 September, 1910, and this was the only specimen met with. A bird labelled " Murree, 23 June, 1873," obtained by Stoliczka, is in the British Museum. I obtained another male on 10 January, 1926, at 2000 ft. in the low hills near the tollgate above Barakow, and saw a second specimen. As the call oE some species of Scimitar- Babbler, doubtless this, was heard before on 22 November in much the same locality, and again on 17 February in low hill-jungle at Rajghar, 1600 ft., it is safe to assume that this species is fairly common in this the westernmost locality of it range.

Stachyridopsis pyrrhops (Blyth). Red-billed Babbler. Captains Cocks and O. H. T. Marshall found a nest with four eggs in the latter end of June at 4000 ft in low ground near the Jhelum river below Murree. Colonel G. F. L. Marshall notes, in " Bird Nesting in India," that July is the month for eggs of this species in Murree. We have no other local information about this species, except that I heard its unmistakeable note on 10 January, 1926, at 2000 ft. in the low hills between Bharakow and the tollgate.

Leioptila capistrata pallida Hartert. Black-headed Sibia. Breeds fairly commonly in June and July at 6000-7000 ft. in Murree, and in larger numbers at Dunga Gali. I met with a party at 7000 ft. in Murree on 21 November, so the species, which is a resident, probably does not move down hill much in winter. In the Simla hills the nest seems most commonly built in a mass of briars climbing over the lower branches of a tree, but here the favourite nesting site is out near the extremity of a pine-bough usually at a good height from the ground. Its characteristic note is a single pretty whistle, repeated four or five times rapidly, peep-peep-peep-peep or ting-ting- ting-ting, pitched in a high key and rising crescendo, which

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at a distance sounds like the tinkling of a little silver bell.

When hunting;o for food in the undergrowtho the note is a soft rattling chuckle, and there is also an alarm note like that of the genus Merula, only more rapidly repeated and not so loud.

Pteruthius erythropterus (Vigors). Red-winged Shrike- Babbler.

Fairly common and a resident in Murree between 5500 ft. and 7000 ft., and also in the Galis, breeding about the end of May and June. It is entirely arboreal and confined to tree-jungle, usually hopping about the highest boughs of trees, which are those in which it slings its hammock-nest— so difficult to find. The note is a loud yup-yipyup repeated several times. In flight the white inner edges to the primaries flash and give the bird a very white appearance.

[Pteruthius xanthochloris occidentalis Iiarington. Green Shrike-Tit. General Buchanan informs me that he took e/3 fresh eggs at 8000 ft. near Changle Gali on 13 July, 1900, just outside our limits.]

Microscelis psaroides psaroides (Vigors). Himalayan Black Bulbul. One of the commonest and most noticeable birds of Murree in summer from 6000 ft. to 7000 ft., attracting attention by its cheeky irrepressible cheerfulness and by the number and frequency of its calls. It is found at the same elevations in the Galis and at Thandiani, though it is there less common. It breeds in May and June, and in July the families join the mixed hunting-parties. I have no information as to whether any of these Bulbuls remain in Murree for the winter, but from the beginning of January to the middle of March they appear in noisy flocks on the llawal Pindi plateau, feeding there by preference on the berries of the drake-tree.

SEE. XIX.—VOL. VI. Q

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Molpastes lisemorrhous intermedius (Jerdon). Red-vented Bulbul. A common resident on the plateau, occurring up to about 2000 ft. A nest with young was found on 18 June. It does not occur as high as Murree itself, which is erroneously given as the type-locality. This should be Wazirabad.

Molpastes leucogenys leucogenys (Gray). White-cheeked Bulbul.

A common resident in the Murree hills, occurring up to about 6000 ft. Higher than that it is rare, but Magrath records seeing a pair on the top of Murree ridge on 29 April. Hear Thandiani he says it occurs sparingly on the hillsides below Kala Pani. It extends through the foot-hills to prac¬ tically the whole of the plateau, being particularly common about Rawal Pindi and in the nullahs of the Sohan. Here, however, the birds are not true leucogenys, but they are intermediates between it and M. I. humii, being closer to the former.* The breeding-season is from April to June. On 23 June, 1911, I procured a female which was evidently a hybrid between this species and-Mi h. intermedius. It resembled the latter, hut differed from it in being rather lighter, the abdomen dirty white, and the flanks grey. The ear-coverts are a pale washed-out brown, and the under tail-coverts are yellowish orange, shading into washed crimson at the tips. It agrees fairly closely with the female no. 689 of Captain Whitehead's series from Kohat (Ibis, January, 1909, p. 112). This bird was paired with a normal leucogenys, and they had fertile eggs.

Certhia himalayana limes Meinertzhagen. Himalayan Tree-Creeper. The Tree-Creeper breeds commonly at Murree, the Galis, and Thandiani from 6500 ft. upwards from April until June, most eggs being found in May. About the middle of July it

* The position lias been described in detail in my note on this species in Brigg's and Osmaston's " Birds of Peshawar " (J. B. N. H. S. xxxii. p. 746).

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begins to join the mixed hunting-parties, and is then more noticeable.

From about October or November it moves down-hill

(though I still saw some in Murree on 21 .November about 6500-7200 ft.), and until the beginning of March is common on the plateau, a few staying in Rawal Pindi until the middle of the month. Meinertzhagen attributes the birds of this area to his race limes, which, in my opinion, should certainly be recognised, though birds in my collection might perhaps be more rightly considered slightly intermediate between it and the typical form. This is to be expected with a species so highly susceptible to environment.

Certhia familiaris hodgsoni Brooks. Hodgson's Tree- Creeper. The only record for the district is that of Rattray, who says :—I once found a nest with three very hard-set eggs on the highest point near Murree, shooting the hen bird off nest. Height 7500 ft. This is the only instance in which I 'have seen the bird, and had I not shot the bird I should have taken it for C. liimalayana. It is possible birds are missed on this account." It is said, though I know not on what authority, to breed more commonly in the Oralis, and it certainly prefers a higher elevation to that afforded by the Murree Hills, for in the neighbouring Kashmir hills it breeds from 9000 ft. to the limits of tree-growth. Tichodroma muraria (L.). Wall-Creeper. A fairly common winter visitor to the district, where it may be found on bank-faces and cliffs in the rocky nullahs and low stony hills that intersect the plateau. It arrives about December (earliest dates 4 December, 1911, and 9 December, 1925), and stays on into March (latest dates 21 March, 1911 (Gujarldhan) and 6 March, 1926).

[Cinclus pallasii tenuirostris Bonaparte. Brown Dipper. Although there is no actual record of this species in the Rawal Pindi district, it must certainly occur along the G 2 Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries 84 Mr. Hugh Whistler : Birds of the [Ibis

Jhelum river from Kohala southwards, where the river forms the boundary of the district. Magrath records how he had a momentary view of a young bird in the speckled plumage below Thandiani, and it is, of course, common on the Kashmir rivers].

[Cinclus cinclus cashmeriensis Gould. Kashmir Dipper. I can find no authority for the statement that this Dipper occurs in the Murree Hills, although an occasional straggler may of course descend the Jhelum river.]

Larvivora brunnea Hodgs. Indian Blue Chat. Avery common summer visitor to the Murree hills, Galis,. and Thandiani, where it breeds from 5500 ft. upwards to about 9000 ft. about the end of June and the beginning of July. Buchanan found a clutch of eggs on 29 May. The bird is a most inveterate skulker in heavy undergrowth, and is not usually seen unless looked for ; the song, however, is one of the commonest sounds of the hill-jungles, consisting of three or four rather monotonous notes—-jerri, jerri, jerri or pliwee- phivee-plnvee in an ascending scale, followed by a rapidly repeated trill, tre-tre-tre-tretre, the last rather reminiscent of a Robin's song. The alarm-note is a harsh tack-tack like- that of the Stonechat, and in the close neighbourhood of the nest a faint anxious squeak is uttered. The male usually sings in the undergrowth where it lives, but occasionally leaves it to sing on the lower bough of a tree. This is a common fosterer for the local Cuckoos. Magrath's record (J. B. N. H. S. xviii. p. 197) of the supposed occurrence of Larvivora cyanea at Thandiani on 20 June appears to me to be based on a pair of Cyornis tricolor.

Saxicola caprata bicolor Sykes. Pied Bush-Chat. A very common summer visitor to the district, breeding both on the plateau and in the hills up to about 5000 ft. about Murree and in the interior to Thandiani. Breeding commences in April. First noted in 1926 on 25 February, and males were general and common by the middle of March ; I did not see a femalfe until -21st March, but they also became common in the last week of the month. Ono Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries 1930.] Rawal Pindi District, N. W. India. 85

male had clearly fixed its territory as early as 8 March. Latest date 1st October, near Kahuta.

Saxicola torquata indica Blyth. Stone-Ghat. In May the Stonechat breeds in great abundance over all the more open slopes of the Murree hills, whether cultivated or waste with a growth of berberis-bushes, at about 5000- 6000 ft. Some eggs may be found as late as July. At this elevation it also extends into the valleys about the Galis and Thandiani. In the hills it is a summer visitor.

In winter it is generally distributed on the plateau. There were signs of the return migration in March. Noted as high on Ghora Gali, 5000 ft., on 8 April.

Oreicola ferrea ferrea (Gray). Dark-grey Bush-Chat. One of the commonest and most familiar birds in summer in the Murree hills,the Galis, and 011 Miranjani and Thandiani, breeding from 6000 ft. to 10,000 ft. It is not found in heavy tree-jungle, but frequents open ground, gardens, and the bushy slopes about roads even in such busy centres as the Murree Post-Ofiice. It breeds from the beginning of May to the end of July, and two broods are reared ; the young seem to leave the nest rather earlier than most Passerine birds, hiding in thick covor for protection. The "geezing" alarm-note is a well-known sound in Murree, as the little birds are more excitable and nervous than the ordinary while nesting. They are commonly victimised by Cucuius canorus, and their nests suffer greatly from Crows and boys. The status of the species is not definitely known to me, but it probably winters at a slightly lower elevation in the hills. Stragglers at any rate visit Rawal Pindi in winter, as I saw a male in the Topi Raich on 1 February, 1926. Noted between Bansrah Gali and Sunnybank, 6000 ft., on 8 April#

(Enanthe picata (Blyth). Pied Wheatear. A fairly common winter visitor to the plateau, avoiding the foot-hills. Seen as early as 24 August (1913) between Mandra and Jatli. The majority leave by the beginning of March.

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries 86 Mr. Hugh Whistler : Birds of the [Ibis, (Enanthe capistrata (Gould). White-capped Wheatear. A common winter visitor to the plateau, and markedly more numerous than OS. picata. It reaches the edge of the foot-hills at Ivahuta (2000 ft.) and Kallar (1750 ft.), but does not enter them ; abundant between Jatli and Mandra on 24 and 28 August, 1913. Not observed after the first ten days of March, with the exception of a female procured at Gujar Khan on 25 March, 1911.

(Enanthe opistholeuca (Strickland). Strickland's Wheatear. A winter visitor in small numbers to the plateau, but apparently more common between Margala and Attock. Not observed further into the foot-hills than Taxila and

Kallar, 1750 ft. Earliest date 28 August, 1913 ; latest date 7 March, 1926. In these three species of Wheatear the preponderance of males over females is very marked throughout the whole winter.

(Enanthe isabellina (Cretzsch.) Isabelline Wheatear. A winter visitor to the plateau in very small numbers. A late bird observed on 7 April, 1926, was doubtless on passage.

(Enanthe deserti atrogularis (Blyth)- Desert Wheatear. Two males were seen near the Sohan road bridge on 3 January, 1926. [(Enanthe xanthoprymna chrysopyg'ia (De Filippi). Red- tailed Wheatear. Observed during the winter of 1925-6 on 25 December on Parhi Hill near Hatti, Campbellpore district, and at Attock bridge on 27 December and 27 February; so it is almost certain to occur about some of the low ranges of the Rawal Rindi plateau.] Enicurus maculatus maeulatus Vigors. Spotted Forktail. Breeds very commonly on the hill-streams (where they pass through forest) about Murree and the Galis, about 5500-6500 ft. (and probably both higher and lower). Magrath found them on the Sufed Pani stream below Kala Pana. Eggs may generally be found in May and

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June, but Buchanan found young in a nest at Ohangla Grali as early as 28 April. They appear to be resident, and to remain at much the same elevation in winter.

[Microcichla scouleri scouleri (Vigors). Little Forktail. Not actually recorded within the district limits, but Rattray found a nest with three hard-set eggs near Ohangla Grali, and Buchanan took eggs there on 14 May. Magrath says it is fairly common, and breeds on the Sufed Rani stream; so it probably occurs with us if only in winter.] Phcenicurus frontalis frontalis Vigors. Blue-fronted Red¬ start. 1 saw an adult male by the Murree Post-Office (7000 ft.) on 21 November, 1925. Phcenicurus erythronotus(Eversm.). Eversmann'sRedstart. This was first brought to my notice in Rawal Pindi district by Mr. B. H. Bird, I.C.S., who observed it on various dates between 31 January and 24 March, 1919, and sent me specimens to confirm the identification. In the winter of 1925-1926 I first met with it at 7000 ft. on the Murree ridge, where I saw three birds on 21 Novem¬ ber. A female was seen in the police lines, Rawal Pindi, on 12 January, and she remained about the same patch of ground until 16 March. From the middle of January until 31 March I observed about twenty individuals at Rawal Pindi, Margala, Taxila, Kahuta and similar localities. It is, of course, a winter visitor only.

Phcenicurus ochrurus phcenicuroid.es (Moore). Kashmir Black Redstart.

A common winter visitor to the plateau, found up to about 2000 ft. along the outer foot-hills.

[Phcenicurus ochrurus rufiventris (Vieill.). Eastern Black Redstart.

Meinertzhagen considers that a female obtained by him at Rawal Pindi on 3 October belongs to this race (Ibis, 1927, p. 584).]

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries 88 Mr. Hugh Whistler : Birds of the [Ibis, Chaimarrhornis leucocephalus (Vigors). White-capped Redstart. Major K. Buchanan found two nests of this species at Changla Gali on 29 May and 7 June (both belonging to the same pair), and Major Magrath found another pair breeding at Dunga Gali, but there is no record of the nest having been found within our district limits. In both the above cases the birds were solitary pairs. In winter it must be fairly common in theMurree hills, as I met several from Kohala to Riwat on 20 November, 1925, and saw one by the Murree brewery on 22 November. There were two at Kahuta on 11 February. A few move down to the Leh Gorge and the Sohan every winter, and I have records of birds as low as this on various dates from 26 November to 3 April.

Rhyacornis fuliginosa fuliginosa (Vigors). Plumbeous Redstart. The Plumbeous Redstart breeds commonly in May and June on every, mountain-stream round the Galis, though it is not known to breed in the Murree hills. It must appear there commonly, however, in winter, as a few arrive in the Leh Gorge at Rawal Pindi every year, where I have records between 19 January and 2 March. I saw it at Kohala* 1931 ft., on 8 April, and it is doubtless common along the Jhelum all the winter.

Cyanosylvia suecica pallidogularis (Zar.). Eastern Red- spotted Bluethroat. Three specimens procured in March and April at Rawal Pindi belong to this race, which is doubtless a common passage migrant. A single bird was seen at Khanna on 27 November.

Tarsiger chrysceus whistleri Ticehurst. Golden Bush- Robin. Recorded by Rattray, who says that he only met with one pair near Murree, where he obtained their nest with three

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fresh eggs and one egg of a Cuckoo. In July 1913 at Nathia Gali I found a moss-nest with four blue eggs in a hole in a yew-tree in heavy jungle about 4-| feet from the ground. The bird was flushed, and appeared to be of this species. I went back to the spot next day to verify the identification, but the nest had been robbed.

Ianthia cyanura pallidiora Stuart Baker. Red-flanked Bush-Robin.

Mr. B. H. Bird, 1.0.S., kindly sent me a specimen in the, plumage of the female or young male which he had shot at Rawal Pindi on 26 January, 1919. There is no other record from the district of this species, which breeds so commonly in the Kashmir Hills, but Captain Skinner met a female at Dunga Gali.

Adelura cseruleocephala (Vigors). Blue-headed Robin. A winter visitor to the Murree hills, and I found it very common in Murree at 6500-7300 ft. on 21 November, 1925. Numbers reach the neighbourhood of Rawal Pindi in January and February, and a few remain there at the beginning of March ; latest date 10 March, 1926. A straggler was seen as early as 6 November, 1925.

Saxicoloides fulicata cambaiensis (Lath.). Brown-backed Indian Robin. A common resident on the plateau, especially about the broken ravines and low stony hills with which it is inter¬ sected. It occurs up to about 2000 ft. on the fringe of the foot-hills. Eggs may be found in April and May.

Copsychus saularis saularis (L.). Magpie-Robin. Apparently a resident in small numbers in Rawal Pindi) and probably in other suitable places on the plateau. It is very common in summer in the foot-hills between Barakow and Tret, laying about the end of May, and these birds would seem to be summer visitors, arriving from the plains of India by way of the Himalayan foot-hills and the Siwaliks.

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Turdus boulboul (Latham). Grey-winged Blackbird. Breeds very commonly all over the Murree hills from the middle of April until the end of July, from about 7000 ft. downwards, though I do not definitely know its lower limit, which is probably about 5000 ft. It also occurs in the Galis and about Thandiani up to 7000-7500 ft. It is a very fine songster, and is much appreciated locally as a cage-bird. It is probably a resident, merely moving downwards to a lower zone in winter, as stragglers then appear on the plateau. I shot a female on 17 March, 1911, at Riwat, and. on 31 January, 1926, I saw a party of two males and two females in the Topi Rak at Rawal Rindi. Magrath remarks on the pugnacious character of the males.

Turdus castaneus castaneus (Gould). Grey-headed Ouzel. Breeds commonly round Murree, and still more numerously about the Galis and Thandiani, from April to July. It breeds from about 5000 ft. to 10,000 ft., occupying a rather higher zone than T. boidboul. Like that bird, it is a delightful songster. I have no definite information about the status of this Ouzel, but it is probably a resident, moving to a slightly lower zone in winter.

Turdus ruficollis Pallas. Red-throated Thrush.

On 24 February, 1926, I procured a female at Kallar, 1750 ft., near the edge of the foot-hills. It was shot by my orderly in some gardens where there were a number of Black-throated Thrushes, three of which he brought with it.

Turdus atrogularis Temm. Black-throated Thrush. A winter visitor to the Rawal Pindi plateau as well as the Murree hills and foot-hills from November until the end of

March, a few only lingering on into April. About January this species becomes very common on the plateau, probably in response to the driving out of the birds in the higher hills by snow. Mr. Stuart Baker kindly informs me that he has two clutches of eggs taken in the Galis by Rattray and Buchanan

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries 193°-] Rawal Pindi District, N.W. India. 91 in 1904 and 1905, the female being shot off the latter nest. Both nests contained three eggs, and were built on fir-trees at 9000 ft.-10,000 ft. There can be no doubt that this Thrush does not breed regularly in the Himalaya. If these eggs were correctly identified it appears that occa¬ sional pairs stay behind out of the huge winter migration to India.

Turdus unicolor Tickell. Tickell's Thrush. Rattray and Marshall both found several nests of this Thrush about Murree, and considered it fairly common. Marshal] found his nests in June ; Rattray and Buchanan also found it fairly common about the Grabs, nesting in May* June, and July. I met with it on one occasion only, when I found a nest with four fresh eggs on 28 May, 1918, in a nala below Murree Cemetery. Doubtless a summer visitor only.

G-eocichla citrina citrina (Lath.). Orange-headed Ground- Thrush.

Colonel C. H. T. Marshall (in his Murree paper) says : — " Builds about the beginning of June in the fork of a low tree about 6 ft. up. Lays three eggs "—which he proceed s to describe. This record probabl)r refers to a single nest found in a valley near Murree, and there is no other record for our district.

Turdus viscivorus bouapartei Verr. Himalayan Mistle- Thrush.

Two males obtained near Rawal Pindi cantonments on 29 January and 19 February, 1911. Hot otherwise observed.

Oreocincla dauma dauma (Lath.). Small-billed Mountain- Thrush.

A few pairs breed on Murree ridge, about 7000-7300 ft., where I saw newly-fledged chicks on 10 June, 19.11, and 21 May, 1912. It appears to be rather commoner in the Gabs and at Thandiani from 7000 ft. upwards, and Rattray

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and Buchanan obtained several nests from the end of May to July. Captain Cock found two fresh eggs at Dunga Gali on 18 May, 1878. Doubtless a resident species, only descending to a lower zone in winter.

Monticola rufiventris rufiventris (Jard. & Selby). * Chest¬ nut-bellied Rock-Thrush. Fairly common in summer about 6500 It.—7300 ft. on the northern face of the Murree ridge, where I found c/4 fresh eggs on 30 May, 1911. It is also found above 7000 ft. in the Gralis and at Thandiani, and Buchanan took four nests at Changla Gali in May, June, and July.

Monticola cinclorliynclia Vigors. Blue-headed Rock- Thrush.

A very common summer visitor to the Murree hills, being found in the more open forests, especialty of the chil-pine, from about 6000 ft. downwards. Buchanan found one nest at Changla Gali. Breeds in May and June. Seen at Nehr, 6000 ft., as late as 23 September. It arrives by way of the Siwaliks and Himalayan foot-hills, and has not yet been recorded from the Rawal Pindi plateau.

Monticola solitaria pandoo (Sykes). Blue Rock-Thrush. Status uncertain. Breeds fairly commonly at about 6000 ft. in the Murree hills, but the nests are very difficult to obtain. Cocks and Marshall took c/4 eggs on 7 June, and I found a nest with naked young on 24 May. Magrath found the birds fairly common on the bare rocky hills below Kala Pani in summer. From October to April single birds may be found anywhere on the plateau and the outer foot¬ hills up to about 2000 ft., but these are probably winter visitors from still further north.

[Monticola saxatilis (L.). Rock-Thrush. I shot a female on 29 September, 1913, between 8000- 9000 ft. on Miranjani Hill, near Nathia Gali, just outside our limits (vide J. B. N. H. S. xxii. p. 795).]

* M. erythroaaster auet.

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Myiophoneus temminckii temminckii Vigors. Himalayan Whistling-Thrush. Breeds commonly in April, May, and June about the mountain-streams of the Murree hills and Gralis and Than- diani, from 4000 ft. upwards, though it is scarce on the Murree ridge itself, which does not suit its requirements.. It remains common in the hills in winter, hut numbers drift down into the foot-hills and on to the plateau, where it becomes fairly common from October to April. The song may often be heard in the winter months.

Prunella atrogularis (Brandt). Black-throated Accentor. A not uncommon winter visitor to the district. Observed1

011 various dates between December 13 and March 14 both in the outer foot-hills at ^000 ft. and on the plateau about Rawal Pindi.

Hemichelidon sibirica gulmergi Stuart Baker. Sooty Fly¬ catcher. As a breeding-bird the Sooty Flycatcher is very rare at Murree, though I believe an odd pair or two do nest there on the actual ridge. One year Magrath saw numbers until the middle of May, doubtless on migration, after which they vanished again. In the Gfalis and at Thandiani they are common above 8000 ft., nesting in the last week of May, June, and Jul)-, and they are still about in September. During winter they entirely vanish from the district, and their winter quarters seem to be very imperfectly known.

Sipliia parva parva (Bechst.). Red-breasted Flycatcher. A common winter visitor to the plateau, with its numbers greatly reinforced towards the end of March by a rush of passage-migrants, which continue abundant until after the middle of April Magrath noted them at Murree in the latter part of April. No red-breasted adult males were seen during the winter. The autumn passage took place before my arrival, but it was probably just as marked, for passage- birds had not all gone until the end of October.

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[Cyornis tricolor tricolor (Hodgs.). The Slaty-blue Fly¬ catcher. Buchanan took c/3 fresh eggs at Changla Gali on 16 June, 1901, but I have no record within our area. It must occur in the Murree hills in winter. The pair of birds recorded from Thandiani by Magrath as Lcirvivora cyanea on 20 June appear to have been of this species.]

Cyornis superciliaris superciliaris (Jerdon). White-browed Blue Flycatcher. A very common summer visitor to the Murree hills, the Galis, and Thandiani, breeding in May and June at elevations ■of 6000 ft. and upwards. On 20 March, 1926, I saw what I believed to be a female of this species in the police lines at llawal Pindi ; otherwise I have no information as to the movements of this bird, which probably migrates eastwards along the Himalayas to the line of the Siwaliks on passage.

Stoparolamelanops melanops (Vigors). Verditer Flycatcher. A very common summer visitor to the Murree hills, the Grabs, and Thandiani, breeding from about 4000 ft. upwards in May and June. Nidification begins in the second half of April, and a few nests have eggs by the end of the month. As with the last species, its migrations avoid the plateau, as ■one seen in the foot-hills at 2000 ft. near the toll-bar on the Murree road on 14 March, 1926, is my only passage record.

Culicicapa ceylonensis pallidior Ticehurst. Grey-headed Flycatcher. A summer visitor which breeds fairly commonly in Murree and the Gabs from about 6000 ft. upwards in May, June, and early July. About July the birds become more notice¬ able, as they have finished breeding and join the mixed hunting-parties. They arrive in the hills towards the middle of March, and I saw several on passage about llawal Pindi from 15-17 March, 1926.

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Niltava sundara whistleri Ticehurst. Rufous - bellied Niltava.

A fairly common summer visitor to Murree, where it breeds in May and June, about 5500 ft. to 7000 ft. It has only been recorded in the Galis by Magrath, who saw a male, evidently nesting, at the highest point of Changla Gali, 9000 ft. ; but I saw one at Nathia Gali in late July, 1913. At Murree it is usually found in the heavier chestnut- and silver-fir jungle on the north of the ridge, where it frequents the undergrowth and the lower branches of trees, behaving much like the Blue-chat (Larvivora brunnea). Attention is attracted to it by the anxious long-drawn squeak uttered in the neighbour¬ hood of the nest, which, at one's nearer approach, changes to a harsh and grating alarm-note. The tail is occasionally flirted and spread. Terpsiphone paradisi leucogaster (Swains.). Paradise Fly¬ catcher. A common summer visitor to the Murree hills, nesting in May, June, and July from 5500 ft. downwards, doubtless right to the edge of the foot-hills. A few probably nest even in Rawal Pindi, as I saw a pair in the Topi Park on 12 July, 1911. Magrath records a single bird on 18 May as high as 7000 ft. on the southern slope of the Murree ridge. It appears as a passage-migrant in Rawal Pindi about the middle of April, and migrants were observed in the lower hills in September.

Rhipidura aureola aureola Lesson. White-browed Fantail- Flycatcher. Recorded as breeding at Murree by Colonel C. H. T. Marshall (in June) and by Rattray, but without any details as to elevation. I failed to find it at Murree, and my only personal record for the district is of a single bird seen near the Commissioner's house in civil lines, Rawal Pindi, on II January, 1926. Rhipidura albicollis albicollis (Yieillot). White-throated Faintail-Flycatcher. Colonel 0. H. T. Marshall describes the nest, and says

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" These nests are found in the lower ranges, at about 5000 ft. up," but there is no other record of the species in our area. The record is probably correct, however, as stragglers wander into the Jhelum district in winter from somewhere in the adjacent foot-hills. Lanius excubitor lahtora (Sykes). Indian Grey Shrike. A very common resident on the plateau, building in thorn- hushes in the fields in the latter half of March, and laying about the end of the month. Perhaps double-brooded, as I saw newly-fledged young on 24 August. Taxila on the west and Ivhairlie on the east mark its boundary on the fringe of the foot-hills.

Lanius vittatus Valenc. Bay-backed Shrike. A very abundant summer visitor to the plateau and the foot-hills, commencing to arrive about the end of March, and general by the middle of April, when nidification commences. They were still very common at the end of August, but all had gone before my arrival at the end of October. Stragglers winter on the plateau. Magrath records a single bird at 5000 ft. near Thandiani, on the ridge overlooking Nawashahr village, on 10 July, and Clocks and Marshall also state that it breeds as high as 5000 ft. in the hills. The majority, however, do not reach above 3000 ft.

Lanius schach erythronotus (Vigors). Rufous-backed Shrike. A summer visitor to the Murree hills, where it breeds in May and June abundantly, in the valleys between 4000 ft. and 5000 ft., and in smaller numbers up to 6000 ft., and even to 7300 ft. Magrath saw it near Thandiani at 5500 ft. on 10 July. It is fairly common in winter on the plateau up to the outer fringe of the foot-hills.

Lanius cristatus isabellinus H. & E. Isabelline Shrike.

. A winter visitor ; found at Rawal Pindi on 22 January, Ivahuta (2000 ft.), on 13 February, and two examples between Chhoa Ivhalsa and Kallar on 22 February, 1926.

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Tephrodornis pondicerianus pallidus Ticehurst. Common Wood-Shrike. A small party "'as found in the Topi Rakli on 31 January, 1926. Otherwise I only met with the species in February on the edge of the Eoot-hills about Kahufa, Kallar, and Dangalli, where it was apparently not uncommon.

Pericrocotus brevirostris brevirostris (Vigors). Short- billed Minivet. Breeds very commonly in May and June in the Murree hills, the Galis, and at Thandiani, at altitudes of about 6000- 7000 ft., and probably higher. With the fledging of the young, these beautiful birds collect into flocks about the middle of July, and are so found for the rest of the year. In winter they desert the higher hills, and then become common in the foot-hills, up to at least 3000 ft., and throughout the plateau. Observed in Rawal Pindi from 1 December to 29 March.

Pericrocotus peregrinus (L.). Small Minivet. Apparently resident, and not uncommon in the foot-hills up to 2000 ft. and along their base. A nest with three hard- set eggs was found in the Topi Rakli, Rawal Pindi, on 13 April, 1926. I suspend judgment on the correct name of this bird.

Pericrocotus roseus roseus (Vieill.). The Rosy Minivet. Colonel C. H. T. Marshall took a nest of this species with three eggs on 12 June at 5000 ft. near Murree. There is a full description of the nest and eggs in Hume's N. & E., 2nd ed. vol. i. p. 338.

Grauculus macei nipalensis Hodgson. Large Cuckoo- Shrike.

Found in small numbers, and, I believe, a resident in the low hill-jungles from 2000 ft. up to about 3500 ft. In winter occasional birds appear in Rawal Pindi, e.g., $ 21. 2. 1911, ? 19. 12. 1925. My three specimens, all females, are

ser. XII.— vol. v. h

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very large, with wings of 18P5—188 mm., bur. two of them lack the bars on the throat and breast.

Lalage melaschista melaschista (Hodgs.). Dark Grey Cuckoo-Shrike. Breeds in small numbers at Murree and Changla Gali at 6000-6500 ft., laying in May and June. Magrath saw a single example at 6000 ft. at Thandiani on 9 July ; status uncertain.

Dicrurus macrocercus (Vieillot). King-Crow. A very abundant summer visitor to the plateau, nesting in the latter half of May and in June. Fledged young are common in the hitter half of June. A few remain during the winter, and the immigrants commence to arrive about the middle of March, becoming common by the beginning of April. In summer they extend into the foothills and the valleys along the Jhelum, but probably to no great height. I have not seen them here above 2000 ft., but Magrath attributed to this species a pair nesting by Kala Pani Dak Bungalow on 20 May.

Dicrurus leucophceus longicaudatus A. Hay. Indian Grey Drongo. A common summer visitor to the Murree hills, Galis, and Thandiani from about 6000 ft. (or probably lower) up to at least 9000 ft. It nests in May and June. Migrants were observed in Rawal Pindi on 29 March and 13 April, 1926. Noted on 15 August at Bansrah Gali, 4500 ft.

[Chibia hottentotta hottentotta (L.). Hair-crested Drongo. Murree is quoted as the western limit of this species in the Himalaya in 'Novitates Zoologicse,' xxvi. 1919, p. 44, and in F. B. I. 2nd ed. vol. ii. p. 370, but I have no know¬ ledge of any authentic record that the bird occurs west of the Kangra Valley.]

Acrocephalus dumetorum Blyth. Blyth's Reed-Warbler. Passes in great numbers through Rawal Pindi on spring passage in April and May (earliest date 10 April, 1926)

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The song may then be heard everywhere in gardens and the Topi Raich. Magrath noticed them also common and in song- till the beginning of June in thick scrub on the south side of Murree ridge.

Acrocephalus agricola (Jerdon). Paddy-field Warbler. A specimen collected by Whitehead at Rawal Pindi, 1700 ft., on 15 September, 1905, evidently on autumn passage, is in the British Museum. Some small Warblers skulking in the reed-beds at Khanna on 24 March, 1926, may have been of this species, but I could not procure a specimen. It is probably common on passage.

Orthotomus sutorius sutorius (Forst.). Tailor-bird. A somewhat local resident, observed in Rawal Pindi and in the foot-hills near Kahuta, 2000 ft., and between Bharakow and the toll-gate.

Lusciniola melauopog-on mimica Madarasz. Moustached Sedge-Warbler. I obtained a single specimen on the Sohan on 29 March, 1926, in the flood-swept remains of a reed-bed. There were many small Warblers skulking in the reed-beds of Khanna on 24 and 28 March, 1926, including apparently this species, but I could not obtain a specimen.

Cisticola juncidis cursitans Franklin. Streaked Fantail- Warbler. Status uncertain, but observed commonly in the reed-beds and pampas-grass of the Sohan river and Khanna jheel from November to April, with indications that the birds were breeding towards the end of March. A pair was found in a wheat-field by the Leh on 12 April, 1926.

Franklinia gracilis (Franklin). Franklin's Wren-Warbler. A common resident in the low scrub-covered hills that extend from Margala and Taxila to Bharakow and Khairlie at 1700-2000 ft. Observed as high as Tret, 3000 ft., in August. It extends up the Jhelum gorge at least to Kohala. H 2

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries 100 Mr. Hugh Whistler: Birds of the [Ibis,. Franklinia Trachanani Blyth. Rufous-fronted Wren- Warbler. A very common resident on the plateau, extending into- the outer fringe of the foot-hills up to 2000 ft. Eggs laid about the middle of March and in early April. Sylvia hortensis crassirostris Cretz. Orphean Warbler. On 26 March, 1926, I caught a male near the Topi Raich in full plumage. It had no tail and no flight-feathers in one wing, and had perhaps escaped from the clutches of a hawk or cat.

Sylvia curruca affinis (Blyth). Indian Lesser Whitethroat. A winter visitor to the plateau, but much less common than in the Punjab plains. There is reason to believe that some form of Whitethroat breeds fairly commonly on the south side of Murree Hill and probably all through the Gralis and at Thandiani at an elevation of about 4000-5000ft. ; but the fact still remains to be authenticated, and the species identified by the production of skins.

Phylloscopus eollybita tristis Blyth. Siberian Chiff-Chaff. A fairly common winter visitor to the plateau, observed from the end of October until March. About the middle of March migrants appear on passage, and remain common until 20 April and probably longer. According to Magrath these migrants also appear in Murree. Although found anywhere in cultivation and trees, this species is very partial to the neighbourhood of water, and parties may be found in the reed-beds of Khanna, along the Leh, and even feeding amongst the lotus of the ponds in the Topi Rakh. All my specimens belong to this race and not to P. c. sindiamis, which must also occur.

Phylloscopus indicus (Jerd.). Olivaceous Willow-Wren. Very common in Rawal Pindi on spring passage; observed in 1926 almost daily from 20 March to 20 April, In manner it is very like a Wren, creeping about the brickwork of walls and porches, skulking in low bushes, and perching, sideways on the trunks of trees.

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Phylloscopus proregulus simlaensis TiCehurst. Pallas's Willow-Wren. Breeds commonly in the Galis and at Thandiani from 9500-10,000 ft., and perhaps lower, in May and June, but probably Murree is not high enough for it to breed there. Most eggs will be found in the last week of May. In winter it drifts downwards, and is then found in the foot-hills, a few descending even as low as Rawal Pindi from December to the beginning of March.

Phylloscopus subviridis (Brooks). Brooks' Willow- Warbler. A female was obtained in Rawal Pindi on 25 February, 1911. In the last week of March I occasionally heard a whirring song in civil lines, which was, I believe, uttered by this species. Magrath observed it on passage at Murree in the latter part of April.

Phylloscopus inornatus kumii (Brooks). Hume's Willow- Wren. Rattray records that he took a single nest of this species with four much incubated eggs, shooting the female off the nest ; but he unfortunately gives neither date nor locality. It is a common winter visitor to the plateau, where I have observed it from the end of October to early in April. Magrath observed it on passage at Murree in the latter half of April.

Phylloscopus nitidus nitidus Blyth. Green Willow- Warbler.

Magrath records that he met this species at Murree on migration towards the end of April, but no specimens were procured.

[Phylloscopus nitidus viridanus Blyth. Greenish Willow- Warbler. Rattray records the taking of a nest on 1 July, 1904, with c/4 slightly incubated eggs. He personally shot the hen bird from the nest, which was under the roots of a tree in

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11 cutting where the earth had been washed away, leading a tangle ol roots. The exact locality is not stated, but it was apparently in the Galis. Magrath saw a party oil five or six near the hill-top at Thandiani on 20 June.]

[Phylloscopus magnirostris Blyth. Large-billed Willow- Warbler. Not yet recorded actually within our limits, but in the Galis Buchanan, Skinner, and Rattray, found it fairly common, breeding in the middle of June and the first half of July. Buchanan took slightly incubated eggs on 7 August. It is only a summer visitor there.]

Phylloscopus occipitalis occipitalis Blyth. Large Crowned Willow-Warbier.

A very abundant summer visitor to the Murree hills (where it is the common Willow-Wren) and Galis, breeding from 6500 ft. upwards in May, June, and July. The nests are placed in holes in every kind of situation, and should be watched for eggs of the lesser known Cuckoos C. saturatus and C. poliocephalus. It is common on passage at Rawal Pindi in the last week of March and the first half of April, and I found it already common at Murree on 8 April.

Phylloscopus reguloides (Blyth) (i.e. trochiloides auct.). Blytld s Crowned Willow-Wren. Rattray states that this species is not common at Murree, but that he obtained two nests with eggs there in 1903, both in holes in stone walls supporting banks. Buchanan took three nests with fresh eggs at Changla between 30 May and 4 June, obtaining the birds from two of them.

Seicercus xanthoschistus albosuperciliaris (Jerdon). Grey¬ headed Fly catcher-Warbler. Rattray considered this bird rare, and took only one nest near Changla Gali, but that was probably because he was too late for it and also worked too high a zone. G. F. L. Marshall records eggs on 16 April. Magrath found it very common

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in April at Murree, and said that it was common at Thandiani in summer about the lower limits of the forest on the west of the ridge and about the open hill-sides below. I found it fairly common at Murree up to about 6500 ft. in summer. It is probably only a bird of seasonal elevational movement, as in winter it is fairly common in the fool-fills and about Rawalpindi in January and February, stragglers also being- noticed from 22 November to 21 March.

[Scotocerca inquieta striata (Brooks). Streaked Scrub- Warbler.

As Cocks wrote (N. & E. 2nd ed. i. p. 276), " It is common throughout the range of stony hills between Peshawar and Attock, and I have seen it on the hills between Jlielum and Pindi." It may occur within our actual boundary, but there is as yet no proof of the fact.]

Horornis pallidus pallidus (Brooks). Pale Bush-Warbler. This little skulker breeds in small numbers at 6000 ft. and

upwards on the southern face of Murree ridge, in the Gfalis, and at Thandiani. I believe that it must be double-brooded, and that this is the explanation of Magrath's comment on the curiously late date at which it commences to sing, apparently June to August. I myself did not notice the song in Murree until June. In Dharmsala I used to hear the song regularly in the second half of March, a time when no collector has been in Murree to hear the song before the advent of the first brood. It is a bird of seasonal altitudinal movement, and in November, December and January it appears in fail- numbers -at Rawal Pindi and about the base of the foot-hills, as at Hassan Abdal and Bharakow, wherever bush-scrub affords it sufficient cover.

Suya cringera crinigera Hodgs. Brown Hill-Warbler. A very common species in the Murree hills and Gfalis, breeding in June and July up to about 6000 ft. on the open cultivated hillsides or in patches of light jungle with scattered scrub, especially where the berberis is found. The traveller

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along the Kashmir road from April onwards will hear its ■curious reelingO crickingO songO ascendingO from the hillsides in every direction, uttered from the topmost twig of a tree or shrub or from the telegraph-wires. It is apparently resident or merely indulges in seasonal altitudinal movement, as in December I met it at Sangjani and Taxila, and in February found it common in the foot-hills from 1600-2000 ft. at Kahuta, Rajghar, and Salgran. While specimens collected near Murree agree well with the typical race, it is noteworthy that two birds obtained at Rajghar and Kahuta seem much closer to the Salt Range form S. c. striatula.

Prima gracilis lepida Blyth. Streaked Wren-Warbler. Odd birds were found in the bed of the Sohan river near Rawal Pindi in March and April, and an empty nest was found on 2 April, 1926 ; probably resident.

Prinia inornata inornata Sykes. Indian Wren-Warbler. Common, and doubtless a resident on the plateau from Sangjani to Kallar.

Cephalopyrus flammiceps flammiceps (Burton). Fire-Cap. A few pairs breed at Murree about 7000 ft,., laying in April and May. It is commoner in the Galis and at Xhandiani up to about 9000 ft. At Changla Gali Buchanan found a great number of eggs about the middle of May. Doubtless a summer visitor onl}'.

Oriolus oriolus kundoo Sykes. Indian Golden Oriole. A common summer visitor to the district, breeding both on the plateau and in the Murree hills up to about 5500 ft. Buchanan took several nests in May and June at Changla Gali. Earliest date at Rawal Pindi 10 April, 1926. There appears to be a rush of passage migrants through Rawal Pindi in the second half of April and at the end of August. [Rattray records that on 18 June, 1903, at Murree he found a nest with two incubated eggs of the typical race of Golden Oriole, O. o. oriolus, and that he shot the male for verification. Unfortunately, the bird was not preserved.]

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Pastor roseus (L.). Rosy Pastor. My sole records for the district consist of a flock seen at Grujar Khan Station on 27 April, 1911, a few towards Jatli on 28 August, 1913, and what appeared to be a flock at Margula on 15 August, 1928. It is curious how the vast multitudes of this strong migrant appear to leave and enter India by a line missing- out this district and passing a little to the south of it.

Sturnus vulgaris humii Brooks. Kashmir Starling. A male was procured by me at Rawal Pindi on 14 March, 1926. Considering that the headquarters of this bird are in Kashmir, it seems curious that it should not be common in winter in Rawal Pindi district.

Sturuus vulgaris porphyronotus Sharpe. Central Asian

•Starling.O A female was collected by Mr. B. B. Osmaston at Rawal Pindi on 12 December, 1924.

Sturnus vulgaris poltaratskyi Finsch. Finsch's Starling. This is the common Starling of the district, being found as an abundant winter visitor to the plateau from the beginning of November (and perhaps earlier) to the middle of March. A series of fourteen skins was collected.

Sturnus vulgaris nobilior Hume. Hume's Starling. A female was collected by me at Rawal Pindi on 1 December, 1925.

Sturnus vulgaris dzungaricus Buturlin. Buturlin's Starling. A Starling procured by Biddulpli at Rawal Pindi and assigned by Oates (F. B. I. i. p. 524) to the race purpu- rascens is now considered by Hartert and Stuart Baker to belong to Buturlin's race, if it is indeed a good one. The specimen is in the British Museum. It has no date, but is marked female.

Temenuchus pagodarum (Grmel.). Brahminy Mynah. Rattray records that he took a nest at 5000 ft. below Dunga Gali. I saw a. single bird by Rawal Pindi jail on

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11 April, 1926. The Rev. F. S. Briggs informs me that he has found it abundant at Abbottabad (just outside our limits) in May, July, August, and September. Doubtless a summer visitor only.

Acridotheres tristis tristis (L.). Common Mynali. Abundant and resident throughout the district, unless it retires in winter from the highest parts of the Murree hills, where it breeds up to 7000 ft. It is not found in the Galis. Nesting commences in the second half of April. This bird does not occur in Cock and Marshall's list, and it may well be a recent addition to the avifauna of Murree.

TEthiopsar fuscus fuscus (Wagl.). Jungle Mynah. Breeds commonly in June and July over the whole of the Murree ridge up to 7000 ft., but is not found in the Galis. Status unknown, but on 13 January, 1926,1 saw some by the Rawal Pindi jail, and A. E. Jones met with others in January 1927. Some doubtful records for the plateau in November and December.

Uroloncha malabarica (L.). White-throated Muuia. A common resident on the plateau, up to 2000 ft. on the edge of the foot-hills, as at Kabuta. Nests with young found in October aud November.

Amandava amandava (L.). Red Avadavat. Status uncertain, but probably resident. Observed in parties at Khanna jheel and the bed of the Sohan river from November to the beginning of April.

Coccothraustes coccothraustes humii Sharpe. Hume's Hawfinch. From 19 January to 26 March, 1926, I found that there was an evening flight of Hawfinches from the Leh Gorge over the Topi Rahlt between 6 and 7 P.M. The birds passed along singly, in pairs, or in small parties, the greatest number seen on one evening being about twelve, always following the same line and flying fairly low with a strong fast-dipping

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flight. Occasional birds rested for a time on the tops of low bushes. I saw this flight often enough to feel sure that it took place regularly every evening, and, though I wit¬ nessed it on 26 March, no birds appeared next evening. This Hawfinch was first described from Attock on three specimens collected by Delme-Redcliffe in March 1869 and February 1870. In the neighbourhood of Oampbellpore A. E. Jones found them fairly common between 1 December, 1918, and 16 February, 1919, and in the winter of 1925 I saw a pair at Attock on 28 December, and many others near Oampbellpore on 17 January. Buchanan met. it at Abbottabad as late as 16 April, 1900. Rawal Rindi is a slight extension of range.

Perisosspiza icteroides (Vigors). Black and Yellow Gros¬ beak. Breeds very commonly at Murree, the Galis, and Than- diani from 6000 ft. upwards, more especially in the jungles of high spruce-firs. Eggs may be found from the beginning of April until July, and the species is perhaps double- brooded. T. saw a flock at 7300 ft. in Murree on 21 November.

[Mycerobas melanoxantlius (Hodgs.). Spotted - winged Grosbeak. Not yet recorded actually in the district. Capt. Skinner took c/3 fresh eggs at 8000 ft. at Dunga Gali on 22 June, 1908, and shot the female for verification (J. B.N.H. S. xviii. p. 907). Magrath also met with a few of the birds near Dunga Gali on 23 June, and Buchanan observed a small flock several times at Dunga Gali in May 1904.]

[Pyrrliula aurantiaca Gould. Orange Bullfinch. According to Rattray a few pairs breed on the top of iViiranjani, 10,000 ft., and at 9000 ft. near Dunga Gali, but the species has not yet been recorded in the Murree hills, though stragglers may perhaps appear there in winter.]

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On 7 February, 1926, I saw two single birds, females or young males, sitting on the tops of " pilai" bushes in the low hills, 2000 ft., to the west of the Margala Pass. It is not uncommon in winter in the neighbourhood of the Kala Ohitta and Salt Range.

Carpodacus erythrinus roseatus (Hodgs.). Common Rose- Finch.

Very common on passage through Rawal Pindi from the second w,eek of April until the beginning of May. Earliest dates 10 April 1911, 11 April 1926 ; latest date 10 May 1912.

Carduelis caniceps caniceps Vigors. Goldfinch. Rattray took a nest with four fresh eggs at 5000 ft. below Dunga Gfali, and Magrath met with a pair on 20 May and a flock of eight or nine on 10 July at 5000 ft. near Thandiani. It must be a fairly regular winter visitor to the Rawal Pindi plateau. Oordeaux (^Ibis, 1894, p. 372) recorded that he had met flocks there in winter. Mr. A. E. Jones met

with some at Taxila in the last week of December 1922. In 1911 I observed a good many about Rawal Pindi between 18 February and 1 March. Mr. B. B. Osmaston obtained a specimen at Rawal Pindi on 1 January, 1924. In the winter of 1925-26 I did not, however, meet with it, so its numbers doubtless vary from year to year. Acanthis cannabina fringillirostris (Bp. & Sch.). Eastern Linnet. Some were seen by Mr. A. E. Jones at Taxila in the last week of December 1922. On 1 and 6 November, 1925, I found a flock by the River Leh feeding on the seeds of the Bhang plant. Metaponia pusilla (Pall.). Gold-fronted Finch. In the Fauna B. I. 2nd ed. vol. iii. p. 159, Rattray is said to have found this Finch breeding at Murree on 26 May.

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No details are given, and the record does not occur in Rattray's article, hut I presume the record rests on a single occurrence which must have been most exceptional. It is normally a breeding bird of the high-altitude desert country beyond the main Himalayan range.

Hypacanthis spinoides spinoides (Vigors). Himalayan Goldfinch. Breeds fairly commonly about Murree and the Grabs. According to Rattray they arrive at Murree about the middle of June and immediately start nest-building. He found the first eggs on 3 July. Buchanan took fresh eggs at Changla Gab on 14 July. I, however, met with them at Kotb on 26 May, 1911, when specimens procured were deep in moult. Observed at Ghora Gab on 8 November, and at the motor terminus (Chamber's Hotel), Murree, on 22 November, 1925. In December and January both Osmaston and I met with flocks at Rawal Pindi, and from 13 to 22 February (1926) I found occasional flocks on the fringejof the foot-hills at Kahuta, 2000 ft., Panjar, 2500 ft., and Khairlie, 1500 ft.

Fringilla montifringilla L. Brambbng. I shot a solitary female in civil lines, Rawal Pindi, by the Commissioner's house, on 7 January, 1911.

Gymnorhis xanthocollis transfuga Hartert. Yellow-throated Sparrow. A very common summer visitor to the district, breeding all over the plateau and in the hills probably up to 3000 or 4000 ft. Earliest dates 10 April, 1926, 11 April, 1911. Fresh eggs on 5 May, 1911. G. F. L. Marshall records eggs near Murree in July, and Buchanan took fresh eggs at Changla Gab on 16 July; but these records probably refer to low elevations in the neighbouring valleys.

Passer domesticus indicus J. & S. House-Sparrow.

, An abundant resident in the district, occurring in smaller numbers in the hills up to Ghora Gab (5000 ft.), while

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a few birds also occur in summer in Murree up to 6500 ft. It does not seem to be found in the Grabs, but Magrath records a single bird at 5500 ft. near Thandiani on 10 July. As elsewhere along the outer Himalayas, the Sparrows of Murree and Rawal Pindi appear to be intermediate in character between P. d. indicus and P. d. parkini.

Passer rutilans debilis Hartert. Cinnamon Sparrow. Breeds commonly in May, June, and July in Murree, and in smaller numbers in the Galis and at Thandiani, frequent¬ ing not only the jungle, but also houses, often in company •with P. d. indicus. It apparently only moves to a lower zone in winter, as in February I met with a few at Margalla, Rawal Pindi, Kahuta, and Panjar, and in March at Kallar— that is, along the outer fringe of the foot-hills—at a height of 1700-2000 ft.

[Petronia petronia (L.). Rock-Sparrow. Although just over our boundary, it is worth mentioning the fact that I saw a flock of twelve to fifteen Rock-Sparrows at Attock on 30 December, 1925. They are recorded, with full details, in the Journal Bombay N. II. Society, xxxii. p. 218.]

[Pringillauda nemoricola altaica (Eversm.). Stoliczka's Mountain-Finch.

Buchanan informs me that he obtained this bird at Miran

Jani on 2 November, 1900—that is, just outside our limits. It probably visits the Murree hills in winter.]

Emheriza schoeniclus pallidior Hartert. Reed-Bunting. A common winter visitor to the plateau; found in small reed-beds at Khanna, Kallar, and the Sohan, and on stony bush-studded ground in the nullahs about the Sohan. Earliest and latest dates 27 November and 24 February, 1925-26.

Emberiza fucata arcuata Sharpe. Grey-headed Bunting. In the Fauna B. I. 2nd ed. vol. iii. p. 200, a nest of eggs is described, taken by Rattray at Murree on 30 May. Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries 193°-] Raival Pindi District, N. W. India. Ill

Emberiza leucocephala Gmelin. Pine-Bunting. Only observed on 1 February, 1926, when numbers were found in some low ground filled with Pilai-t.rees on the plain to the north-east of Bawal Pindi City. A few were also found feeding on fallow fields nearby in company with Finch-Larks {Pyrrhulauda grisea).

Emberiza stewarti Blyth. White-capped Bunting. Breeds commonly, apparently from the middle of Ajuril to July, between 5000 and 7500 ft., in the Murree hills and Galis, and about Thandiani on the open hillsides below the forests. In winter they move down into the foot-hills about 2000 ft. Many must, however, go farther afield, as from about 25 March to 20 April they become common about Rawal Pindi and the neighbourhood, evidently on migration. Emberiza cia stracheyi Moore. Himalayan Meadow- Bunting. Breeds very commonly in May and June (and doubtless later) in the Murree hills, the Galis, and at Thandiani, about 6500 ft. I am not aware of its exact elevational dis¬ tribution, but in winter it certainly also descends to a lower zone as far as 2700-3000 ft.—that is, to about the end of the chil-forests. Below that limit it is replaced in winter by E. c. par.

Emberiza cia par Hartert. Transcaspian Meadow-Bunting. A very abundant winter visitor to the plateau, extending up to the base of the foot-hills as at Kahuta, 2000 ft., Rajghar and Salgran, 1750 ft. None were seen after the end of March.

Emberiza icterica Eversm. Red-headed Bunting. Noted at Rawal Pindi on 5 May, 1912, and towards Jatli on 28-29 August, 1913. Probably a regular passage migrant. Emberiza striolata striolata (Licht.). Striolated Bunting. Probably resident, but not common. Occasional pairs were found on the low stony hills with bush-scrub, as at Sarain (January and February) and Kahuta (February 15).

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Meloplras melanicterus (Gmelin.). Crested Bunting. Breeds commonly in June in the Murree Hills in a zone between 3000 and 6000 ft., wherever the hillsides are free of forest. Buchanan took incubated eggs near Changla Gali on 25 July. Probably a summer visitor only, but I saw a pair at Tret on 2 September.

Chelidon cashmeriensis Gould. Kashmir House-Martin. A House-Martin breeds very commonly in the Galis and at Thandiani, about 8000-9000 ft., laying the eggs of the first brood towards the end of May. According to Magratli,. the young leave the nests from the beginning to the end of July, and after this a second brood is reared, the young being still in the nests in the last week of September. There is, however, much irregularity, owing to the destruction of nests and other causes, and fresh eggs or young may be found at any time in the same colonies, so that the sequence of the broods is not as clear as this account would imply. In some cases the ordinary mud-nest is not constructed, the birds laying in holes between the walls and roofs of houses. Rattray says that they are not found at Murree, but Magrath records them breeding in considerable numbers in the vicinity of the water-tanks, and I noticed them breeding there in 1918 and on the mall in 1912. This Murree colony at the lower height of 6000-7000 ft. may therefore be of very recent origin, though in any case the birds are not likely to have bred there before the station was founded and some of the forest cleared. Specimens are lacking for examination, but the birds are believed to belong to the form cashmeriensis, though Magrath was of opinion that he saw a few urbica in the colonies at Thandiani and Murree. Hume originally recorded the Thandiani birds as urbica (S. F. i. p. 323).

Riparia riparia indica Ticehurst. Small Sand-Martin. The small Sand-Martin breeds very commonly on the plateau from Rawal Pindi to Attock; a colony on the Haro river had young ready to fly in most nests, and fresh eggs

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and incomplete clutches in others, on 1 March, 1926. It appears to he a winter visitor for the purpose of breeding only.

Ptyonoprogne rupestris (Scop.). Crag-Martin. Small colonies of Crag-Martins breed in May and June at Dunga Gfali and Bhaganota, but I am not sure whether there are any in the Murree hills. They are, however, common in the outer foot-hills and about the nullahs of the Sohan in winter from December to the middle of February.

Hirundo rustica rustica L. Common Swallow. Although the Swallow breeds in immense numbers in the Vale of Kashmir, it appears to be scarce as a breeding-bird in the Murree hills. Hume mentions a nest which he received with four eggs and both parents from Murree, but I can find no other definite record. I certainly found it common at Biwat, 4500 ft., on 23 May, 1912, and in 1918 I often saw a few birds in June, July, and August feeding in company with other Martins and Swallows at Murree. The majority of the latter were young birds, and it is possible that these represented small breeding colonies in the valleys that drain into the Jhelurn ; these may, however, have been late and early birds of the Kashmir colony. On my way into Kashmir on 8 April, 1928, I saw a few birds at Charra Pani, 2500 ft., and Phagwari; whilst on the return journey on 15 August flock after flock was seen resting on the telegraph-wires all along the motor-road from Bharakow to Rawal Pindi, and stragglers were seen in the evening towards Margala. In December 1925 and January 1926 small parties were occasionally observed about water on the plateau from Rawal Pindi to Attock.

Hirundo smithii filifera Stephens. Wire-tailed Swallow. A very abundant summer visitor to the outermost fringe of the foot-hills, about 1600-2500 ft., first observed on 7 April (1926). It starts to breed at the end of the month, and probably has a second brood in July.

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries 114 Mr. Hugh Whistler : Birds of the [Ibis,

Hirundo fluvicola Jerdon. Indian Cliff-Swallow. Apparently a summer visitor only. One breeding-colony only is known to me below the Sohan bridge on the Grand Trunk road just below Rawal Pindi. It is quite inaccessible. The birds usually start to breed there, I believe, at the beginning of April, but in 1919 young birds were reported in the colony as early as 6 April.

Hirundo daurica nepalensis Hodgs. Hodgson's Striated Swallow. Breeds commonly in the Galis and at Thandiani, and in smaller numbers at Murree, at 6000 ft., in May and June. The birds are at their breeding-stations by the first week of April, and leave correspondingly early, for none were seen higher than 2000 ft. when I travelled along the Murree road on 15 August. Where the elevational boundary between the range of this form and the next is found I do not know, but Striated Swallows appear to breed along the whole of the Murree road and also along the Jhelum valley in Kashmir. Hirundo daurica erythropygia Sykes. Sykes's Striated Swallow. A summer visitor to Rawal Pindi, breeding there com¬ monly under culverts and bridges. Eggs found on 12 and 18 July, 1911. It is difficult to identify Striated Swallows in the field, but either or both of the above races arrive in the district about the middle of February. On 3 April, 1926, a marked migration was obviously in progress, parties flying at intervals in a northerly direction up the Leh gorge. Migrants of some race are common in August and September both on the plateau and in the hills.

Motacilla alba dukhunensis Sykes. White Wagtail. A common and generally distributed winter visitor to the plateau, and also no doubt a passage-migrant. Of the specimens procured one belongs to this race ; the others are birds in the immature plumage in which M. alba alba and M. alba dulchunensis cannot be separated.

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries I<330-] Ravoal Pindi District, N.W. India. 115

Motacilla alba alboides Hodgs. Kashmir Wagtail. Common with other races of alba along the banks of the Leh at the end of October and in November, but not seen after 28 November.

Motacilla alba personata Gould. Masked Wagtail. Generally distributed on the plateau as a winter visitor, and, if anything, commoner than M. a. dukhunensis and the form more likely to be met with along the outer fringe of the foot-hills. There were signs of a spring passage in March and the first half of April.

Motacilla maderaspatensis Gm. Large Pied Wagtail. A common resident in the well-watered ravines which are found from Attock to Kahuta along the the junction of the plateau and the foot-hills from 1500 ft. to 2000 ft. It is also found in the Salt Range and the Kala Chittar hills, so it probably occurs in suitable places throughout the plateau. They pair early in February, and the males are in song about the beginning of March.

Motacilla cinerea caspica (Gmelin). Grey Wagtail. The Grey Wagtail is not known to breed in the Murree hills or Galis, though it arrives there very early from its breeding-haunts in the inner ranges. Magrath mentions seeing a young bird on the stream at Kala Pala on 9 July. In the second half of July, 1913, I found it quite numerous on the hilly portion of the Rawal Pindi-Murree road, and it was still common there on 3 September, though scarcer again on 29 September. A few winter in the district, and the return migration commences about the middle of March, by which date the full breeding plumage may be seen. On 12 April I found half-a-dozen collected together to roost in the herbaceous plants that covered a tiny island of the Leh.

Motacilla flava beema Sykes. Sykes's Blue-headed Wag¬ tail. I obtained a female at Rawal Pindi on 4 May, 1911.

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Motacilla flava thunbergi Billberg. Grey-headed Wagtail. I obtained two males on 4 May, 1911, at Rawal Pindi. Magrath says that in the vicinity of Tret, 3500 ft., this Wagtail was observed in considerable numbers on spring passage, and individuals were seen up to the middle of May. Motacilla feldegg Mich. Black-headed Wagtail. On 5 April, 1926,1 saw an adult male with a party of White Wagtails on the R. Sohan. An immature specimen shot by Mr. B. B. Osmaston at Rawal Pindi on 16 December, 1924, out of a small party appears to belong to the race melanogriseus. These records of Yellow Wagtails are far from repre¬ senting the true situation in the district, where I believe several forms are common on passage in April and May.

Motacilla citreola werse (Buturlin). Yellow-headed Wagtail. Observed in small numbers in the neighbourhood of Rawal Pindi in March and April, 1926. Anthus trivialis trivialis L. Tree-Pipit. In 1913 I met with parties of Tree-Pipits on the top of Miranjani, 10,000 ft., on 22 September, so this species probably passes through the Murree hills on migration, as it does at Simla and in the Kangra Valley. A party seen at Rawal Pindi on 31 October, 1925, would be laggards from this autumn migration. In spring numbers pass through Rawal Pindi, and doubt¬ less here, as further eastward, they work up slowly through the hills. Magrath saw migrants at Murree towards the end of April. My earliest date is 25 March, but they do not become numerous until April, and the passage continues into May, latest date 11 May. The single specimen obtained is indistinguishable from the typical form.

Anthus sordidus jerdoni (Finsch). Brown Rock-Pipit. Colonel C. H. T. Marshall records that this species breeds from May to the middle of July in the Murree hills below

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6000 ft. Magrath records watching a female carrying food to the nest on the hare hillside below the forest at Thandiani on 10 July. I suspect that this species breeds right down through the foot-hills on to the broken ravines about Rawal Pindi, as at the middle of March it was in pairs there, and was often seen indulging in a curious mounting hovering flight which was probably a nuptial display. It was occa¬ sionally met with during the winter along the outskirts of the foot-hills.

Anthus rufulus rufulus Vieillot. Indian Pipit. Observed commonly in March, when the birds were in song and obviously on their breeding-territory^ and I found c/4 eggs at Khanna on 24 March. Probably a summer visitor for the most part, but I shot one by the R. Sohan on 29 November, 1925.

Anthus campestris griseus Nicoll. Eastern Tawny Pipit. Observed fairly commonly on the plateau throughout the winter. Four specimens preserved clearly belong to the small-billed eastern race.

Anthus roseatus Blyth. Hodgson's Pipit. A common winter visitor to the channels of the Leh and Sohan near Rawal Pindi; observed from the beginning of January until nearly the middle of April. Magrath met it on passage at Murree towards the end of April.

Anthus spinoletta blakistoni Swinhoe. Chinese Water- Pipit. A common winter visitor to the district, especially partial to the channels of the Leh and Sohan about Rawal Pindi ; observed from the beginning of November to the beginning of March.

Anthus spinoletta japonicus T. & Sch. Japanese Water- Pipit. Mr. B. B. Osmaston shot a male by the Leh stream at Rawal Pindi on 4 December, 1924, and the specimen is now in my collection.

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Oreocoris sylvanus (Hodgs.). Upland Pipit. This bird, according to Rattray, breeds commonly in the neighbourhood of Murree and the Galis. Eggs were taken at Murree on 6 July.

Otocoris pencillata albigula Bonap. Pamir Horned Lark. On 1 March, 1926, I secured a fine male on the Grand Trunk Road between Serai Kala and the Nicholson monu¬ ment at Margala at about 1800-1900 ft. It was alone, feeding on the road after the manner of a Crested Lark (c/. J. B. N. H. S. xxxii. p. 218).

Melanocorypha bimaculata bimaculata (Menet.). Eastern Oalandra Lark.

I obtained a male from a flock in the wheat-fields near Khanna road on 18 February, 1911. In the winter of 1925-6 I believe that I saw a few near Rawal Pindi between 29 November and 10 January, but I could not procure a specimen in confirmation.

Alauda arvensis dulcivox Brooks. Eastern Skylark. A very abundant winter visitor to the plateau, observed from the beginning of November to the end of February.

Calandrella brachydactyla longipennis (Eversm.). Short- toed Lark. A common winter visitor in flocks to the plateau, observed in January, February, and March. Latest date 14 March, 1926.

[Calandrella raytal adamsi (Hume). Indus Sand-Lark. 28 February, 1926 : common and in song on an island of the R. Indus above Attock.]

G-alerida cristata chendoola (Frankl.). Crested Lark. A very abundant resident throughout the plateau, extending into the rough stony ravines about the base of the foot-hills at Margala, Kahuta, 2000 ft., Salgran, 1750 ft., and Khairlie. I took c/3 eggs on 14 May, 1911, at Rawal Pindi.

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Ammomanes deserti phoenicuroides (Blyth). Desert-Lark. A resident, but never .numerous, in the stony nullahs and low hills that are found on the plateau and about the base of the foot-hills up to 2000 ft.

Pyrrliulauda grisea siccata Ticehurst. Ashy-crowned Finch-Lark.

Status uncertain. Occasional flocks or odd birds observed about the neighbourhood of Khanna and the Sohan river in November, February and March.

Zosterops palpebrosa occidentis Ticehurst. Northern White- eye. Breeds very commonly in the Murree hills from about 6500 ft. downwards, and probably throughout the foot-hills. Gr. F. L. Marshall records eggs as late as 16 June, but the majority are laid earlier. Rattray found two nests near Ohangla Gali, but Magrath records that he met with only two small parties at Thandiani ; neither, however, mention the altitude. These birds are, of course, only summer visitors to this area, leaving about September. In winter it is found on the Rawal Pindi plateau, though its numbers appear to vary in different years, and in some winters at any rate it is far from common.

Cinnyris asiatica. Purple Sunbird. A very abundant summer visitor, first noticed on 12 March in 1911, and on 4 March'in 1926, after which it was common by 6 March. Breeding commences as soon as the females arrive, which appears to be a week or ten days later. I found c/3 eggs on 25 March.

Piprisoma squalidum squalidum (Burton). Thick-billed Flower-picker. I saw one at Salgran, 1750 ft., on 19 February, 1926, feeding at the parasitic plant with red flowers which is common on trees in the outer foot-hills.

[To be continued.]

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