Ornithology of Gilgit. 569 



specimens of A. nipalensis from Sikkim ; but that species is 

 so close to A. alpinus, Bechst., that it is impossible to insert 

 an intermediate species between them. The Gilgit bird 

 agrees best with A. nipalensis, and is, no doubt, properly- 

 referred to that form. 



130. Accentor altaicus, Brandt. 



A rare cold-weather visitor, except in severe winters. A 

 male shot in January at an elevation of 8000 feet measured 

 — wingS'S inches, tail 2'4, tarsus 0*9, culmen 0"6. 



131. Accentor jerdoni. Brooks. 



Gilgit specimens of this Accentor are identical with an ex- 

 ample from Dharmsala, obtained and named by Mr. Brooks. 

 This species seems to be perfectly distinct from the eastern 

 A. strop hiatus, Hodgson. The differences are pointed out 

 by Mr. Brooks in his original description (J. A. S. B. 1872, 

 p. 327). In A. jerdoni the head, between the lateral black 

 streaks, is quite plain, while in A. strophiatus the head is 

 boldly streaked exactly like the back. I note, however, that the 

 bill is variable, and that there is no constant difference between 

 the two species in this respect. I have examined a specimen 

 oi Accentor multistriatus, David, from " Yangkyonpo,^^ in Mr. 

 Seebohm^s collection ; and it seems to me the same in every 

 respect as A. strophiatus. 



132. Accentor atrogularis, Brandt. 



A winter visitor only to the main valley, arriving about the 

 middle of October and leaving in the third week in March. 

 The birds are usually found in pairs, and are not very shy. 

 I have shot specimens of this Accentor in orchards, where 

 they were running about on the sward near rose-bushes; 

 when alarmed in such situations they occasionally seek shelter 

 on the lower branches of small fruit-trees. 



133. Accentor fulvescens, Severtzoff. 



This species is a winter visitor to Gilgit, and is common 

 there from the first week in October to the third week in 

 March ; it comes to us from the north. I have now forty- 

 live specimens of this Accentor ; and I have no hesitation in 



