Major J. Biddulph on the Birds of Gilgit. 93 



Spotted Dove of the plains, which approaches T. tlgrina. 

 In one specimen the huff spots on the feathers are enlarged 

 so as almost to make the back uniform, while all the 

 tints are paler and more delicate than usual ; four other 

 specimens are undistinguishable from those generally obtained 

 in the western Himalayas. — G. F. L. M.] 



193. Tetraogallus himalayensis (Gray). 



Common everywhere in favourable ground. It makes its 

 nest at about 8000 or 9000 feet, and breeds early. Directly 

 the young are hatched they go up to the lower edge of the 

 snow — in fact, as high as they can. I procured a nestling about 

 three days old on 28th May. Six eggs (which were hatched 

 two days afterwards under a hen) were brought in the last 

 week in June ; the old bird was also snared and brought in, 

 and being let loose she wandered round the tent all night. 



I have never seen these birds in large flocks like T. tibetanus ; 

 they are generally in pairs only. In the depth of winter a 

 few collect together, but when disturbed separate at once. 



In the nestling the lower plumage is silky white unspotted ; 

 the upper part white tinged with rufescent, here and thei-e 

 variegated with dark-brown markings, darkest and best- 

 defined on the head. Wings and tail pale rufous, mottled 

 with dark brown, except on the terminal fringe. 



194. Caccabis chukor (Gray). 



Very common. In summer it breeds at all elevations from 

 5000 feet to 10,000 feet, the nests at the highest elevations 

 being hatched latest. At 5000 feet some of the young birds 

 are able to fly by the first week in June. I took a single 

 fresh egg out of a new nest on the 5th May. 



A nestling obtained on the 22nd July at about 6000 feet 

 elevation, with the wing only 3*6 inches long, unable to fly, 

 had the top of the head earthy brown with a slight rufescent 

 tinge, ear-coverts deep brown, chin, throat, and cheeks white, 

 the rest of the plumage pale earthy brown, each feather with 

 a pale huffy -white tip, largest on the abdomen, where the 

 brown is almost lost ; upper plumage rather darker, barred 

 with pale bufi", the bars edged with narrow interrupted 



