SITTIN.E. 385 



248. Sitta himalayensis, Jardine and Selby. 



111. Orn. 3, pi. 144 — Gould, Birds of Asia, pi. — Blyth, Cat. 

 1143 — HoRSF., Cat. 1048 — S. nipalensis, Hodgson — S. vitticauda, 

 Jameson — S. indica, Burton — Siddt/i-phip, Lepch. 



The White-tailed Nuthatch. 



Descr. — Above deep slaty-blue, with a purplish tinge ; below 

 pale rufescent-whitish, deepening gradually, and becoming full 

 rusty on the lower flanks, vent, and lower tail-coverts ; a black 

 band from the nostrils, through the eye, to the shoulders ; quills, 

 and lateral tail-feathers, blackish ; a white spot at the base of the 

 two central rectrices, and the lateral ones blanched towards their 

 tips. 



Bill dusky-bluish, changing to fleshy-grey towards the base ; 

 irides dark brown ; legs fleshy-grey. 



Length 4^ to 4| inches ; wing nearly 3 ; tail 1^ ; bill at front 

 t'o ; foot 11 



This Nuthatch is found over most of the Himalayas. It is 

 numerous in Sikhim, from 5,000 feet or less, to at least 10,000 feet. 

 It is very abundant about Darjeeling, frequenting large trees, some- 

 times at the top, frequently at their base, running round the trunks, 

 up and down, and also on the horizontal branches as well. It picks 

 various insects off the bark, and now and then makes a dart at 

 one in the air. It is usually seen in small parties. It differs 

 structurally from the other Indian Sitta by the bill being wider and 

 more depressed at the base. 



249. Sitta leucopsis, Gould. 



p. Z. S. 1849— HoRSF., Cat. 1050— Gould, Birds of Asia, 1, 

 pi. 10. 



The White-cheeked Nuthatch. 



Descr. — Crown of head and back of neck jet-black ; all the 

 upper surface deep blue-grey ; primaries black, edged with grey ; 



3 c 



