76 



PARID,^. 



insects, many seeds and fruits and in times of stress practically 

 anything that comes to hand. A meaty bone is a tempting bait 

 to them as is a split cocoa-nut hung in a tree near their haunts. 

 Tliey are essentially arboreal -in their habits but occasionally 

 descend to the ground after insects. Their note is a rather shrill 

 whistle and their flight rather feeble and dipping. They are 

 resident birds almost wherever found, moving about to some 

 extent according to the seasons. 



(52) Parus major intermedius. 



The Afghan Gbey-Tit. 



Panis hocharensis var. intermedms Sarudnv, Bull. See. Imp. Nat. 

 Moscow, (No. 3), vol. iii, p. 789 (1890) (S.W. Transcaspia). 



Vernacular names. None recorded. 



Description. A very pale race, tlie upper parts a clear blue- 

 grey, the under parts almost pure white with very little tinge of 

 vinaceous ; the nuchal patch is white and conspicuous and the 

 grey of the tail pale and extensive. 



Colours of soft parts as in cinereus, but the legs are pale slaty 

 grey. 



Measurements. A rather large bird with a comparatively short 

 tail. AVing 08 to 75 mm. ; tail 52 to 63 mm. 



Distribution. Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Cbitral, East Persia 

 and S.AV^. Transcaspia. 



Nidification and Habits as in cinereus ; the eggs average 

 about 17'5xl3'6 mm. Its nest and eggs were taken by White- 

 head at Kalhutty, Baluchistan, and by Harington in the Khagan 

 Valley. Fulton found it up to 12,000 feet in Chitral, where it was 

 very commoii, and took two nests from holes in Walnut-trees. 



(53) Parus major kaschmiriensis. 



The Kashmir Ctkey-Tit. 



Parus major kaschmiriensis Hartert, Yog. Pal., i, p. 345 (1905) 

 (Gilgit). 



Vernacular names. None recorded. 



Description. A dark bird distinguishable from all others of the 

 dark forms by its greater size ; both upper and lower parts are 

 not as dark, liov\ ever, as in cinereus, but the nuchal patch is grey 

 and very inconspicuous. 



Colours of soft parts as in cinereus. 



Ideasurements. AVing 70 to 79 mm.; tail 60 to 70mm. 



Distribution. Kashmir, Garhwal, Simla, and Hills of the North- 

 AVest. 



