Major J, Biddulph on the Birds of Gilgit. 



273 



show two races, more or less well marked, and differing in 

 size and colour, but connected by intermediate forms, which 

 may be hybrids, as the two races apparently exist side by 

 side in Gilgit and in some other localities. As in some spe- 

 cimens the measurements slightly overlap, I have not taken 

 difference of size as a point of diagnosis, but simply colour. 

 The males show a constant difference in the amount of white 

 on the back part of the neck. The race which I will call 

 form A shows a white patch on the side of neck, but 

 not extending round to the back of it. In no specimen is 

 there any white discernible on the nape of the neck. The other 

 race, which I will call form B, also has a white patch on 

 each side of the neck, which extends round to the back, meeting 

 the white from the other side, so as to form a complete demi- 

 collar when viewed from above. This is most conspicuous 

 in breeding-plumage ; but specimens procured at all seasons 

 show some trace of white on the nape. Separating the nine- 

 teen males in my collection with reference to this point alone, 

 I find they measure as follows : — 



Wing-measurement, 

 inches. 



30 



30 



2-99 



2-9 



2-85 



2-85 



2-75 



2-7 



Form A. 



Locality. Season. 



Kumaon Terai .... March. 



.Gilgit April. 



j> » 



„ September. 



„ AP"1- 



)) w 



„ September. 



Astor „ 



Form B. 



Wing-measurement. Locality. Season, 

 inches. 



2-75 Gilgit September. 



2-72 Wakban April. 



27 Yassin Aiigu.st. 



2'7 ,< i» 



