Qmitholoy^ of Gilgit. 443 



in plumage, but the female is smaller than the male. Twelve 

 males measured : — length 7 to 7"4 inches, wing 4"1 to 4*35, 

 tail 2-9 to 3-1, tarsus 1 to 1-1, bill from gape 0-95 to 096; 

 five females measured: — length 6*7 to 6"85, wing 3'9 to 4*02, 

 tail 2-5 to 2-8, tarsus 0-9 to 1, bill from gape 0-85 to 0-95. 

 The black band on the lateral tail-feathers varies in depth 

 from 0'5 to 0*85 ; the second primary equals the sixth in 

 length. 



Saxicola albonigra is distinguishable from Saxicola picata 

 by having the sexes coloured alike, by being much larger, 

 and by having a differently shaped wing. 



From the male of S. picata, with which alone it could be 

 confounded, its large size, different wing-formula, brighter 

 colours, and less extended black on breast and back at once 

 separate it. 



77. Saxicola. morio, Hempr. & Ehr. 



81. Saxicola hendersoni, Hume. 



This species is common in Gilgit from the third week in 

 April to the end of June, and again from the beginning of 

 September to the first week in October. Most of the birds 

 that visit us in spring go further north, but a few probably 

 breed in the district. I preserved fifty-five specimens of this 

 species, and after comparison with the types in the British 

 Museum I entertain no doubt that Saxicola hendersoni is 

 merely a synonym of S. morio. S. hendersoni was described 

 from specimens in autumn plumage; but I for some time 

 thought that even in breeding-plumage it could be distin- 

 guished from typical S. morio by having more white on the 

 lateral tail-feathers. Every intermediate stage, however, is 

 represented in my collection, from a broad black band on the 

 ends of the feathers next to the uropygials to the form in 

 which the white runs right down to the tips of these rectrices. 

 Major Biddulph has correctly pointed out that the female of 

 this species is quite unlike the male in colour. In my series 

 the length of the wings varies from 3*35 to 3*8, and the 

 second primary is intermediate in length between the fifth 

 and sixth. 



