NUCIFEAGA. 67 



Distribution. The Himalayas from the extreme N.W., Xepal, 

 Sikkim, Bhutan ijito Tibet. Its distribution still requires a 

 considerable amount of consideration as it seems to overlap in 

 many places with the next. 



Nidification. Hume took its nest with young in May near 

 Simla, 6,500 feet, and Mr. A. E. Jones found a nest with young 

 and one addled egg in April in the same district, whilst Whymper 

 took nest and eggs in Garhvval 16.5.06 at 10,500 feet. The 

 nests are described as being like neat Crows' nests but with a 

 thick lining of fir-needles and grass. Two clutches of eggs were 

 obtained for me in Tibet on 30.4.20, botli of which were second 

 layings after the fix'st had been destroyed. The two chitches con- 

 tained three and four eggs, but all wereunfortunately broken except 

 one. This, and the eggs taken by Messrs. Jones and Whymper are 

 similar in character to those of tlie European bird, except that 

 they are duller pale sea-green in colour and have much larger 

 blotches of olive-sienna and neutral tint. 



My egg measures 35'0 x 26-0 mm. 



Habits. This bird keeps much to forests of pine, cedar and fir 

 between 3,000 and 12,000 feet, and subsists largely on the seeds 

 of tiiese trees ; . but they also eat other seeds and fruits as well as 

 insects. Though not regularly gregarious, they are said sometimes 

 to collect in small parties. Their notes are harsh and loud. 



16. — Heiirl of X multijninctata. 



(^7) Nucifraga multipunctata. 



The Lvhgkr-spotted Xutceacker. 



Nucifrar/a multipunctata Gould, P. Z.S., 1849, p. 23 (N.AV. Hima- 

 layas) ; Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 41. 



Vernacular names. Khah-lcharra (Pushtu) ; Tong-she-slui-(ja 

 (Tibetan). 



Description. Differs from the Himalayan Nutcracker in being 

 darker, a chocolate rather than an umber-brown, and in being much 

 more profusely marked with white. The lores and narial bristles 

 are white or black and white ; the rump and upper tail-coverts 

 have a white spot on each feather ; the wing-coverts and quills are 



f2 



