C168) 
the neck and ear-coverts ; a black and white band on the forehead 
and base of the bill ; lower back (rump) and upper tail-coverts pure 
white ; tail glossy black ; median or middle coverts, of the wings, 
black, greater coverts ash ; bright red on the breast, lower parts of 
the body plumage slightly orange in tinge ; lower tail coverts white ; 
flanks fawn coloured. 
(731) PyRrRHuLA NIpALENsis, Brown Bull-finch, is the next bird 
of this group you are likely to meet, other species are rare. It is 
usually found on high altitudes on the Singalillas, the water-shed 
boundary of Nepal, where this species is more abundant. It comes 
to Darjeeling during winter, where it remains, the greater portion 
ot the cold weather. It is, seen feeding in our gardens and bare hill 
sides. It is 64 inches in length ; irides brown. The glossy black 
wings and tail help to make it out, together with its conical greenish 
bill. Tail is longer and more forked than the former species ; 
colour, above, is ashy brown ; upper tail coverts are glossy black ; 
wings and tail are tipped white; tertiary feathers have crimson 
edgings ; a pale broad bar on greater coverts; under tail coverts 
and lower parts of the body are white. This interesting bull-tinch 
has been found only in the district and adjoining states of Nepal 
and Sikkim. 
(733) PYRRHOPLECTES EPAULETTA, Golden-headed Black Bull-finch, 
is another species likely to be met with without much difficulty on 
higher altitudes, though it is much rarer than either erythrocephala or 
Nipalensis. In spring, they are seen on the road to Sandakphu, on 
bushes and jungles. Like their congeners they are found on sunny 
sides of the hills and seem to care, little, for the shade. In size it is 
5} inches. The head of the male is bright golden orange ; rest of 
the plumage is brownish black excepting a few axillary tufts of 
golden yellow, and a little white on the tertiaries. This bird is 
considered rare, and found only in this district. Female is not so 
well marked. It is reddish brown, above with grey on the neck 
and parts of the head greenish red on ear-coverts ; golden orange 
axillaries, dusky colored primaries and tail, white on the tertiaries ; 
bill, legs and irides brown. 
III.—CROSS-BILLS. 
- These birds are remarkable, chiefly for the peculiar form or 
structure of bill ; one mandible over the other, in shape of a cross. 
They are closely alhed to Bull-tinches and Rose-finches. 
GENUS LOX1A, have the bill lengthened, strong and compressed, 
tip hooked ; ends of the mandibles crossed ; wings fairly long, Ist 
