416 Mr. J. Scully on the 



1 



3. Gyps himalayensis, Hume. 



This fine species^ as seen on the wing^ has the whole body 

 white, sharply contrasted with its black wings and tail ; its 

 great size and majestic flight make it a very characteristic 

 adjunct of Gilgit scenery. I have seen it in winter at eleva- 

 tions not exceeding 5000 feet ; but it never seeks its food close 

 to the villages, like the Bearded Vulture. The following are 

 measurements in the flesh of a fine adult female : — Length 

 3 feet 11 inches, expanse 9 feet 3 inches, wing 31 inches, 

 tail 16'4, tarsus 46, mid toe s. u. 4'3, bill from gape 3' 15. 



5. Gypaetus barbatus, Linn. 



The Lammergeyer is held in respect by the natives of Gilgit, 

 who have some story to the effect that the bird was a com- 

 panion of their Prophet. Once I fired at one of these birds 

 as it sailed over a field ; and, in its alarm, it dropped a large 

 bare bone, which nearly struck me. An adult male, with 

 the lower surface rusty red, measured, length 3 feet 10 inches, 

 expanse 8 feet 9 inches, wing 32 inches, tail 21-7, tarsus 3-6, 

 mid toe s. u. 3*6, bill from gape 3*8. Iris bright orange. 



6. Falco peregrinus, Tunstall. 



Peregrines are found in Gilgit in October when migrating 

 southward, and in April on their passage to the north. I 

 doubt whether they " breed in the neighbourhood of Gilgit 

 at about 6000 feet.^^ A male Peregrine, shot on the 25th 

 April, agrees with Sharpe's description of the adult male 

 (Cat. i. p. 377), except that the feathers of the mid abdomen 

 are not cross-barred, but have merely small dart-shaped 

 marks ; the flanks are pale grey, cross-barred with black ; and 

 the forehead is not whitish, but slate-grey, with black shafts, 

 like the rest of the head. Length 16 inches, wing 12-25, 

 tail 6*5, tarsus 1-8, mid toe*. m. 2*15, bill from gape 1*15, 

 weight 1 lb. 4 oz. 



Falco sacer, Gmelin. 



This species must be added to the list of birds of Gilgit. 

 A specimen was captured in Gilgit in October 1879, when it 

 was doubtless migrating southwards. The bird was imma- 

 ture ; but, after careful examination, its large size and large 



