PYRRHOCORAX. 69 
The Indian bird seems to average much larger than the English 
though not larger than the Continental bird. 
Distribution. Northern Africa, Europe and N. Asia. In India 
it is found throughout the Himalayas to Eastern Tibet. 
Fig. 18.—Foot of P. pyrrhocorax. 
Nidification. The Red-billed Chough breeds freely in Tibet, 
Ladakh and Northern Kashmir, breeding generally in cliffs, but, in 
Tibet, frequently in the Tibetan houses and buildings whether 
occupied or not. They are early breeders, laying in the end of 
March and April and often having a second brood. The eggs are 
like those of the English bird, but much duller and more brownish 
in tint and they average much bigger, 41:7 x 28-4 mm. against 
40°7 x 27-9 mm. Whymper took its eggs at the end of April in 
Garhwal at,9,000 and 12,400 feet. The nests were of sticks 
with wool lining, placed in clefts of rocks. 
