72 Major J. Biddulph on the Birds of Gilgit. 



extract from Griffith's MS. notes; but subsequently to this 

 the bird does not appear to have been obtained, nor is its 

 correct habitat defined. 



A number of specimens were obtained in the main valley 

 about fifteen miles above Gilgit, among thick bush and tree- 

 jungle, about the middle of May. In these the chin and 

 throat are of a deep blackish maroon, rather than jet-black 

 (as described by Moore) ; and towards the breast the lower 

 margin of the dark patch is narrowly but distinctly fringed 

 with chestnut. In other respects they agree exactly with 

 the original description. 



The dimensions, taken in the flesh, are as follows : — 



Adults — length 4-75 to 4*8 inches, wing 2-2 to 2*23, tail 

 2-2 to 2-25, tarsus 0-63, bill at front 0-25. 



Young — length 4*3 inches, wing 1'95, tail 1'8, tarsus 0'55. 



In the young birds the dark throat-patch is only partially 

 developed and is blackish mixed with white. 



126. Parus melanolophus, Vig. 



A constant resident, but seldom comes below 7000 feet, 

 even in winter. 



A number of specimens were obtained — all males, strange 

 to say ; the buff tint of the spots on the wing-coverts appears 

 to be a mark of nonage, the pure white being obtained when 

 the birds are fully adult. 



lu many specimens the white tips to the secondaries are 

 absent, and in others only faintly marked ; their full deve- 

 lopment appears to take place in the adult bird. 



The axillaries and under wing-coverts are rufous, as well 

 as the flanks. The plate in Gould^s handsome work ' The 

 Birds of Asia ' represents this species very accurately. 



127. Parus rufonuchalis, Blyth. 



This species is distinguishable from P. beavani by its larger 

 bill and by the black extending further down the breast ; the 

 bill in P. beavani is similar to that of P. melanolophus. 



It is a permanent resident at about 9000 feet, but seldom 

 descends even in the depth of winter to the main valley. It 

 is very common where found. 



