HJEMATOSPIZA. 209 



difference in size between the Hiinalayau birds and L. curvirostra, 

 from Northern Europe, on the one hand, and L. japonica, from 

 Japan, on the other ; and the only Crossbills which approach the 

 Indian birds in size are some from America. Sharpe's view that 

 all these Crossbills form but one species is no doubt correct ; at the 

 same time the Himalayan Crossbills are in my opinion quite dis- 

 tinguishable from all others in size, and it is consequently more con- 

 venient to retain them as distinct. 



Distribution. The Himalayas from Chiui and Lahul to iSikhim, 

 extending into Tibet and Western China. 



Habits <$fv. Inhabits the pine-forests and is highly gregarious. 



Grenus H^EMATOSPIZA, Blyth, 1844. 



The genus Hcematospiza is closely allied to Loxia, the male being 

 red and the female green, but the bill is of a normal shape and very 

 stout and strong. The wing is of considerable length, reaching 

 beyond the middle of the tail. A curious feature of this species 

 is the white colour of the bases to the feathers of the head and 

 neck ; these white bases show up when the feathers are dis- 

 arranged and are hardly ever completely hidden. 



751. Haematospiza sipahi. The Scarlet Finch. 



Corythus sipahi, Hodgs. As. Res. xix, p. 151 (183G). 



Hseinatospiza boetouensis (Lath.), Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiii, p. 951 



(1844) ; id. Cat. p. 122. 

 Ilfematospiza sipahi (Hodgs.), Blyth, Cat. p. 342 ; Horsf. fy M. Cat. 

 ii, p. 454 ; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 394 ; Godw.-Aust. J. A. S. B. xxxix, 

 pt. ii, p. 110 ; Hume, Cat. no. 735. 

 Carpodacus sipahi (Hodgs.), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. xii, p. 397. 

 The Scarlet Grosbeak, Jerd. ; Phanying-pho biu, Lepch. ; Labbia ma- 

 phoo, Bhut. 



Fig. 57. — Head of H. sipahi. 



Coloration. Male. The whole head and body brilliant scarlet, 

 the concealed bases of the feathers ashy; wings black, every 

 feather margined with scarlet ; tail black with narrow crimson 

 margins; thighs black ; under tail-coverts black, with scarlet tips ; 

 axillaries and under wing-coverts ashy, with very small scarlet tips.. 



yoi. n. p 



