CTS") 
\ 
and 2nd quills longest ; tail short and forked ; hind toe long ; claws 
curved. These birds are arboreal in their habits, gregarious and 
frequent high altitudes. 
(734) Loxta Himatayana, Himalayan Cross-bill, you are hardly 
likely to meet in or near Darjeeling, as these peculiar and brightly 
coloured little birds prefer high altitudes, where the pine tree flour- 
ishes, and near the snow line. I saw a number in the cold weather, 
settle close to the house, after a heavy fall of snow on Phalut ; but 
this isa rare occurrence. Himalayan Cross-bill is 5? inches ; colour, 
above, is ashy brown, on the head, neck, back, wings and tail, 
feathers are edged red; the lower parts are a pretty roseate red, 
also portions of the head and neck. In colour they seem allied to 
Rosefinches ; bill is lengthened ; tip of the mandibles cross one over 
the other which gives the bill a strong scissor like action, it cuts 
through with considerable ease and facility the more tender pine 
and juriper twigs when these birds are feeding on the seeds, ete. 
They frequently indulge in fruit and berries. 
GENUS Ha&MATOSPIZA, is the second type of Grosbeaks, found in 
the district. We noticed in the former group Hesperiphona the 
large clumsy looking bill. The bill of this latter bird, though big is 
much smaller than Grosbeaks we have been considering. The bill 
is longer and not so bulged at the sides, upper mandible curved : 
wings 2nd, 3rd and 4th primaries longest ; tail even. These birds 
grade more easily into the bull-finches. 
(735) H&MATOSPIZA SIPAHI, Scarlet Grosbeak, is the richest 
coloured species of this interesting family of finches. The Scarlet 
Grosbeak seldom visits Darjeeling. In winter it is found in the out- 
skirts of dense forests about 4,000 or 5,000 feet elevation. About 
June it betakes itself for the congenial (at this season of the year) 
heights above Tongloo. At times you see a solitary pair feeding 
chiefly on fruit, like the Black and Yellow Grosbeak it is partial to 
ripe cherries. It clings to thick whip like stems to reach the ripe 
fruit. Little difficulty need be experienced in distinguishing this red 
coated soldier. The magnificent colour of the male shows out dis- 
tinctly, whilst feeding or taking a constitutional among the branches 
Sipahi is 7% inches ; bill yellow: legs brown ; irides hazel. Male is 
a brilliant scarlet ; wings and tail dusky brown edged with scarlet : 
lower tail coverts with dusky streaks. Female is more chestnut in 
colour, feathers bordered with greenish yellow, which gives the bird 
a less sombre appearance ; rump bright yellow ; beneath olive yel- 
low with roundish marks. 
