657 



BIRDS NESTING IN THE MURREE HILLS AND GULLIES. 



By Lt.-Colonel R. H. Rattray. 



Part II. 



(With Plates C, D and E.) 



(Continued from page 428 of this Vol.) 



673. Merula oastanea. — The Grey-headed Ouzel. 



Common round Murree, but one of the commonest birds round 

 Changla and Dungagalis. Nests were in varied situations. I found 

 them in banks, holes in rocks, among roots of dead fallen trees, and in 

 a hole in tree trunk up to 10 or 12 feet from ground. Birds very 

 tame ; did not leave nest until I came within 3 or 4 yards of tree or nest. 

 The two photographs shew typical nest in bank and one in roots of old 

 dead tree. 



676. Merula boulboul. — The Grey-winged Ouzel. 



Very common everywhere ; found nests almost daily. 



678. Merula unicolor. — TickelPs Ouzel. 



Common, but not nearly so much so as the last two species both near 

 Murree and the Galis. Numerous nests and eggs. 



690. Petrophila erythrogastra. — The Chestnut-bellied Rock- 

 Thrush. 



Birds fairly common, but nests very hard to find. I used to see and 

 watch one pair daily, but failed to find nest. I found one near Murree 

 with 4 well-grown young ones. Nests often in very nasty places on 

 side of steep khuds. 



691. Petrophila cinclorhyncha. — The Blue-headed Rock-Thrush. 

 Common near Murree, less so higher up. Numerous nests and eggs, 



and on two occasions eggs of the Common Cuckoo in nests. 



693. Petrophila cyanus. — The Western Blue Rock-Thrush. 



Rare. I only saw birds near Murree, and during two seasons there 

 only obtained 2 nests, both in holes in rocks. 



698. Oreooinola dauma. The Small-billed Mountain- Thrush. 



Only found on the higher hills round Changla and Dungagalis ; the 

 bird though common is very shy and retiring, and has to be looked 

 for. I found 3 or 4 nests during June. 



741. Pyonorhamphus icteroides. — The Black and Yellow Gros- 

 beak. 



