414 BIRDS OF TNDTA. 



This remarkable genus has some affinities for the Larks, both 

 by its coloration and structure. Blyth latterly referred* it to the 

 genus Leucosticte, Sw., which is usually considered the same as 

 Montifringilla. Bonaparte considers that it has analogies for tlie 

 Sparrows. 



753. Fringillauda nemoricola, Hodgson. 



As. Res, XIX. 158 — Fr. longipennis, BoNAr. MSS. — Bonap. 

 andScHLEG., Mon. Lox, pi. 47 — Horsf., Cat. 748 — Montifringilla, 

 apud Blyth, Cat. 652. 



The Himalayan Laek-finch. 



Descr. — Above dusky brown, edged with rufous on the back 

 and scapulars, as in the Larks ; quills and tail dusky with pale 

 edgings ; the long wing-coverts and tertiaries have a broad edging 

 of pale rufous or whitish ; upper tail-coverts blackish with white 

 tips ; beneath, the plumage is light earthy grey, pale and albescent 

 on the vent and lower tail-coverts, which are white with dusky 

 centres. 



Bill and legs fleshy-brown ; irides red brown. 



Length 6J inches ; extent 11^ ; wing 3| ; tail 2|. 



This curious Lark-like Finch is found throughout the Hima- 

 layas, most common towards the North-west. Hodgson states 

 that its habits are very like those of the arboreal Larks ; and that 

 it feeds on the skirts of the forests. Adams says that they are 

 seen in large flocks feeding round the margin of the melted snow, 

 and coming to the lower ranges in winter. "Their stomach," says 

 Hodgson, " is a powerful gizzard, and their food consists of kernels 

 and hard seeds, which they digest by means of trituration with 

 gravel." I did not obtain this bird in Sikim, but it is noted iu 

 Horsfield's Catalogue as having been procured at Darjeeling by 

 Dr. Pearson. 



Those remarkable birds, the Plant-cutters of South America, 

 Phytotoma, are placed among the Finches by Gray and others as a 

 separate sub-family, but they perhaps belong to the great group 

 of the Tanagers. They have the margins of the bill serrated. 



