88 Major J. Biddulph on the Birds of Gilgit. 



tl73. Leucosticte brandti^ Sev. 



This is the bird which I procured in 8874 in the moun- 

 tains west of Kashghar, and took for M. htematopygia ; but 

 M. Severtzoffj on examining my collection, identified it as 

 Leucosticte brandti. It first appeared about January 20, 

 single specimens being mixed up in flocks of Carpodacus 

 rubicillus. It gradually became commoner ; but I never saw 

 more than three or four together at a time. It disappeared 

 about March 10. 



Measurements of a male taken in the flesh : — Length 7^ 

 inches, wing 4|, tail 3^, tarsus |, bill at gape nearly ^ inch ; 

 irides grey-brown. Out of eleven specimens secured, none 

 had a black bill like those obtained by me in 1874 in the end 

 of March and beginning of April. It is probably distinctive 

 of the breeding-plumage. 



This species can be readily distinguished from M. hama- 

 topygia by its greater size and the rose-coloured shoulder- 

 patches. The rose tints on the rump are paler and less con- 

 spicuous than in M. hcematopygia ; and the general tone of 

 the plumage is conspicuously paler. 



174. Fringillauda sordida (Stoliczka). 



A continuous resident in the district, appearing in flocks 

 of forty or fifty at the lower elevations during the winter. 

 In summer it goes up to 10,000 feet and higher. The young 

 birds apparently do not acquire the rufous-brown head till 

 the second year. I saw an immense flock of this Finch at 

 Astor in November, and picked up twenty-six after one shot. 

 This is probably the red-headed Sparrow said to appear in 

 Leh in winter. The axillaries in this species are white instead 

 of yellow, as in F. nemoricola. 



175. Calandrella brachydactyla (Leisl.). 



A few appeared in March, but were not seen again in Gil- 

 git. In September and October I obtained a few higher up 

 the Indus, towards Iskardo. The March specimens are in 

 very faded plumage ; those got in the autumn are in fresh 

 plumage with the rufous edgings to the feathers perfect. 

 The males are 6*5 inches long, wing 3*75 to 4*0, tail 24 to 



