Major J. Biddulph on the Birds of Gilgit. 101 



243. Mergus castor (Linn.). 



I have several times come across the INIerganser in winter, 

 in the mountain-streams^ but never secured a specimen. 



244. PoDiCEPs PHiLiPPENsis, Gmcl. 



One specimen was secured by Dr. Scully out of a small 

 flock on 29tli March ; but they are seldom seen, and ap- 

 parently do not stop at all on their passage through. 



245. Larus affinis, Reinh. 



A single specimen which appears to be L. leucojihceus 

 (Licht.), but which now, according to Mr. Howard Saunders 

 (Stray Feathers, vii. p. 463), stands as L. affinis, was pro- 

 cured. Top of the head almost white, sinciput and ear- 

 coverts darker, neck and upper plumage generally of various 

 shades of brown, each feather edged with whitish except on 

 the back, where the edgings are grey. Primaries brownish 

 black, faintly tipped with whitish ; secondaries brown, con- 

 spicuously tipped and fringed on the outer margin with 

 white ; inner web broadly margined with white, the basal 

 portion being completely white ; greater primary coverts 

 brown bordered with white ; secondary coverts broadly edged 

 with grey ; lesser coverts coloured like the upper surface ; 

 tertiaries and scapulars brown tipped with white; upper tail- 

 coverts white, with a few brown spots; tail pure white at 

 base, with a broad black terminal baud ; undersurface white, 

 suffused with brown on the neck and sides of the breast ; 

 under tail-coverts white, with a large brown spot on outer 

 web near tip ; axillaries pure white, a few of them with a 

 brown spot at tip; under wing-coverts white, barred with 

 brown. 



Dimensions (taken from dried skin) — wing 17*15 inches, 

 tail 7"3, tarsus 2*65 (longer by 0'4 than the middle toe with 

 claw, which, according to Mr. Howard Saunders, serves to 

 distinguish this species from L. cachinnans and L. argen- 

 tatiis) . Bill blackish, with horny tips, yellowish at base of 

 lower mandible; length from gape 3"25 inches, legs and feet 

 vellow. 



