NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF CHITRAL. 49 



(476) Lanius brythronotus. — The Rufus-backed Shrike. 

 Also a common summer visitor, arriving in the middle of April and 

 leaving in September, ascending in June to elevations of 7,000 feet. 

 (477) Lanius tephronotus. — The Grey-backed Shrike. 

 I obtained only one specimen (female) at Drosh, 5,000 feet, on 8th 

 April, and it is probable that my identification of the specimen was 

 incorrect. It may however have been a stray bird in a flight of either 

 of the other species Lanius vittatus or erythronotus. 



(495) Pericrocotus brevirostris. — The Short-billed Minivet. 

 A summer visitor, arriving in the middle of April. It is common at 

 elevations of 7,000 to 10,000 feet in the wooded valleys of Lower Chitral- 

 They are certainly migratory, perhaps only locally, as I saw none in 

 the valley even as low as 4,000 feet between October and April. 



Family Oriolidce. 

 (518) Oriolus kundoo. — The Indian Oriole. 

 Very common. A summer visitor, arriving in large numbers during 

 the beginning of May and leaving in August and September. 



The beautiful flute notes of this bird can be heard during the summer 

 in every village orchard in the Shishi Koh and in the Chitral Valley as 

 far as Sanoghar (8,000 feet). 



Family Sturnidce. 

 (532) Sturnus menzbieri. — The Common Indian Starling. 

 Common. A winter visitor. I was surprised to find none present even 

 on the high grazing grounds at 15,000 feet during summer. It evidently 

 migrates north, leaving in April and returning in October and November. 

 (542) Agropsar sturninus. — The Daurian Myna. 

 Only one specimen $ was obtained out of a flock of some 17 birds. 

 I got the specimen on 16th July at 11,000 feet at the head of the 

 Turikho Valley. The previous known distribution within Indian limits 

 is Burmah, so that its presence so far west is very interesting. 



(544) Temenuchus pagodartjm. — The Black-headed Myna. 

 Very numerous in summer. This species arrives during the end of 

 April and beginning of May. None were seen above Chitral. Breeds 

 at elevations of 5,000 and 6,000 feet. 



(549) Acridotheres tristis. — The Common Myna. 

 Common at lower elevations throughout the year, and up to 8,000 feet 

 in summer. I saw none in the upper valley above Chitral. 

 7 



