Descriptive List of Birds 



Very common at Almora and in the Kashmir 

 valley. Common also below the other western hill 

 stations, e.g. at the Brewery below Naini Tal. 



Chats 



Chats are robin-like birds, that feed entirely 

 on insects ; these they often catch on the wing 

 after the manner of flycatchers. They fre- 

 quent open country. 



74. Pratincola cafrata : The Common Pied 

 Bush Chat. F. 608, J. 481, -I. W. K. 



Cock : Plumage black, except for white 

 wing-bar and large patch on lower back. 



Hen : Plumage grey, streaked with brown 

 and, on the lower back, tinged with red. 



The cock has a sweet little song. 



This species is not seen at most hill stations, 

 as it does not seem to ascend the Himalayas 

 above 6000 feet. It is common in the Kashmir 

 valley and at Almora. 



75. Pratincola maura : The Indian Bush 

 Chat. F. 610, J. 483, -I. W. K. 



Cock : Upper plumage dark brown, almost 

 black. Large white patch on each side of 

 neck ; these patches sometimes unite to form 

 a collar. Lower back white. Breast orange : 

 rest of lower plumage russet, 

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