LOPIIOPHANES. O/ 



(68) Lophophanes dichrous dichrous. 



The Beown CiiEbTED Tit. 



Pariis dichrous Hodg8., Blytb, J. A. S. B., xiii, p. 493 (1844) (Nepal). 

 Lophophanes dichrous. Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 59. 



Vernacular names. Xone recorded. 



Description. Up[)er plumage brownisli grey ; the wiug-feathers 

 very narrowly edged witl) hoary grey ; forehead and sides of 

 the head fulvous mottled with brown ; a half collar round the 

 hind-neck, interrupted at the nape, cream-colour ; chin and 

 throat fulvous grey ; lower plumage ochraceous. 



Colour of soft parts. Bill dusky bluish ; feet plumbeous ; iris 

 brick-red (Jerdon). 



Measurements. Length about 115 mm. ; wing about 65 to 

 71mm. ; tail about 55 mm. ; tarsus about. IS mm. ; julmeu about 

 11 mm. 



Distribution. Himalayas ; South Kashmir, Garhwal, i^epal and 

 Sikkim. 



Nidification. The nest of tliis Tit was taken by Mr. B. B. 

 Osraaston in the Tons Valley first with the young in 1894 and 

 finally with eggs in 1899. The nests are described as pads of 

 moss with a lining of fur placed in small holes in pear and other 

 trees. They were taken at an elevation between 8,000 and 

 10,000 feet iu April and May. The eggs are described as " white, 

 spotted and blotched fairly thickly all over with chestnut markings." 

 They measured •67x*51 in. (:=17*0xl3"0 mm.). 



The nest with eggs was placed in a natural hole in a rotten 

 branch of a pear-tree beside the Chakrata-Simla road and in 1917 

 a second nest with five eggs was taken near Chakrata similar to 

 the other but lined with hair. This too contained five eggs 

 measuring •69 x '50 in. ( = 20-0 x 12-7 mm.). 



Habits. Those of the genus. 



(69) Lophophanes dichrous welisi. 



The Yunnan Brown Crested Tit. 



Lophophanes dichrous loellsi Stuart Baker, Bull. B. 0. C, xxxviii, 

 p. 8 (1917) (W. Yuunan, Yaugtse big bend). 



Vernacular names. None recorded. 



Description. This form differs from both L. d. dichrous and 

 L. d. dichroides in being much darker above and paler below, more 

 buff than rufous. The head and back are practically coucolorous 

 and do not contrast, a distinctive feature in the latter race. 



Dimensions and colours of soft parts as in Z. d. dichrous. 



Distribution. Yunnan and N. Shan States. 



Nidification and Habits. Nothing recorded. 



