Birds of Kohat and Kurram. 220 



[7G1.] Carpodacus erythrinus. The Common Rose 

 Finch. 



Marshall, J. B. N. H, S, xiv. p. 604 (Quetta: common at 

 9000 ft. in May) ; Fulton, op. cit. xvi. p. 52 (common from 

 10,000 to 15,000 ft. in July, and at 5000 ft. in winter) ; 

 Ward, op. cit. xvii. p. 484 (found everywhere). 



179. S ad. Kohat, 1760 ft., 3rd April. 



Major Magrath has made the following notes on this 

 species : — " Visits the district in considerable numbers on 

 the spring and autumn migrations, passing through on the 

 former in March and April, and on the latter in September 

 and October, when mostly young birds are seen. A good 

 deal of damage is done by this species to the fruit-trees, which 

 it attacks by eating the buds after the manner of Bull- 

 finches. The song may be rendered thus, to-weet-tew." 



In the summer I found the bird abundant in several of the 

 valleys of the Safed Koh from 6500 to 8500 feet, where in 

 the early morning the loud though rather monotonous song 

 resounds on all sides. 



[763.] Erythrospiza gith^ginea. The Desert- Finch. 



Perreau, J. B. N. H. S. xviii. p. 186 (one shot: Chitral). 



88. (? ad. Kohat, 1760 ft., 18th January, 1906. 



This example was procured by Major Magrath out of a 

 small flock at the foot of the hills. Subsequently I fre- 

 quently met with the birds, generally feeding on stony 

 ground, but once in young crops. They are probably resident. 

 I came across a pair near Thall on the 19th of May which, I 

 believe, had a nest, but I failed to find it. 



[764 b.] Rhodospiza obsoleta. The Persian Desert- 

 Bullfinch. 



Watson, J. B. N. H. S. xv. p. 145 (common in gardens in 

 August and September and again in March : Chaman, 

 4450 ft., near Quetta). 



74. cJ ad. Kohat, 1760 ft., 8th January. 



Gates (Fauna Brit. Ind,, Birds, ii. p. 233) wrote that this 

 species was likely to be found within Indian limits. Capt. 

 Watson procured, I believe, the first authenticated examples 



SER. IX. VOL. III. R 



