Ornithology of Gilgit. 591 



/ 225. Crex pratensis, Bechst. 



I obtained only a single specimen of the Corncrake at 

 Gilgitj on the 8th October ; the bird was found on a small 

 watercourse which ran by the side of a field of Indian corn. 

 The species was never observed on any other occasion. My 

 example, a female, measured — length 10 inches, wing 5*4, 

 tail 2*25, tarsus 1*5, middle toe and claw 1'5, bill from gape 1 ; 

 the bill was flesh-coloured, grey at the tip; irides brown; feet 

 drab, claws pale brown. The specimen agrees perfectly in 

 plumage with English examples with which I have com- 

 pared it. 



226. Rallus aquaticus, Linn. 



A migratory species in Gilgit, occurring in small numbers 

 from the middle of March to the end of April; I did not 

 ascertain the date of its passage in autumn ; but it does not 

 seem to breed in the district, and certainly is not found 

 there in winter. My specimens agree perfectly with Euro- 

 pean examples of this species. Rallus indicus, of which I 

 have examined Chinese, Japanese, and Indian examples, is 

 distinguished from R. aquaticus by having a dark brown or 

 dusky stripe continued from the lores under the eye and over 

 the upper part of the ear-coverts ; but there is apparently no 

 other constant difference. 



227. CicoNiA NIGRA, Liuu. 



The Black Stork is found in Gilgit only on migration in 

 spring and autumn. On its passage north it was observed 

 from the middle of February to the third week in April, 

 sometimes in large flocks of over one hundred birds; in 

 autumn it seems to pass over without halting in the district. 

 A fine adult male shot on the 16th April measured — length 

 43'5 inches, wing 22"5, tail 10*3, tarsus 8"5, bill from gape 

 8-25 ; weight 7 lb. 



-f- 228. Ardea cinerea, Linn. 



This Heron is common in Gilgit, according to my obser- 

 vation, throughout March and April, when on its way to the 

 north, and from the middle of August to the beginning of 

 October, when repairing southwards ; I have no evidence of 



