C rhe 3) 
(725) HESPERIPHONA ICTERIOIDES, Black and Yellow Grosbeal:. 
This handsome (in colour) bird is seldom found in Darjeeling. It is 
frequently seen in the cold weather at a lower elevation. It comes 
into Darjeeling usually when wild cherries are ripe, for it appears to 
be particularly partial to this fruit. It eats first the juicy parts by 
paring it away, then it cracks the hard stone between its powerful 
mandibles to get at the kernel, which it eats with much relish. The 
cracking of these cherry stones draws attention to the leafless (as it 
appears in winter) tree. The next to attract, a bystander, is the 
biggish odd looking bird prettily marked, with a large conical bill. 
Ictertoides is 9 inches in size ; bill yellow ; colour of the male Gros- 
beak is striking, rich patches and streaks of yellow against the black, 
gives it a well marked appearance ; head, neck, wings, lower flanks 
and tip of the tail are black ; the rest of the plumage is_ bright yel- 
low, a little paler on lower parts of the bird. The female is olive 
grey in colour; back and rump dull yellowish brown; quills 
and tail black ; under tail coverts and lower part of the body more 
fulvous yellow in colour. 
(727) Myceropas MELANOXANTHOS, Spotted-winged Grosbeak, 
is rare and difficult to find in Darjeeling or the district. It usually 
frequents pine forests and secluded corners of the Singalillas, on 
higher altitudes. 
GeENus Pyrruuta, (Bull-finches), These birds ought to be better 
known, owing to the familiarity, doubtlessly, with species common 
in Northern Europe and America. Bull-finches found in the district, 
usually frequent high altitudes. They resemble the latter birds in 
structure and habits ; but differ a good deal in colour. Pyrrhula 
have short, thick tumid bills ; wings rounded 2nd, 3rd ard 4th pri- 
maries are longest ; feet with broad soles; tail longish; plumage 
soft ; tarsus short. Bull-finches are arboreal in habits ; associate in 
flocks ; feed much on the ground. 
(729) PYRRHULA ERYTHROCEPHALA, Led-head Bull-finch, is us- 
ually observed in small parties of sixes or sevens, at times of both 
sexes, at others, consisting chiefly of females, this is more in winter. 
They settle on the land to forage about. I noticed these birds on 
several occasions feeding on back yard slopes of the hill at Sukyapokri, 
and on the way up to Sandakphu. They are made out without much 
difficulty ou side of the road, after leaving Tongloo, when among 
thick forests and jungles. It often alights on the top of a twig near 
by, giving ample opportunity of making it out and of observing its 
characteristics or listening to its rich warble. It is 6 inches in size ; 
bill black ; irides light brown ; colour of the male, ahove, the back 
and wing coverts are dull reddish ash ; head crimson, also, sides of 
