594 On the Ornithology of GiJgit. 



Larus RiDiBUNDUs^ Linn. 



The Black-lieaded Gull, which is not included in Major 

 Biddulph's list of Gilgit birds, is a rare visitor to the district, 

 apparently on migration. I obtained only one specimen^ a 

 male in winter plumage, on the 2nd May. 



-L247. Hydrochelidon hybrida (Pall.). 



This Tern is tolerably common about Gilgit in spring and 

 autumn. I shot many specimens from the 22nd April to the 

 13tli May, when on its way to its breeding-haunts, and again 

 from the 23rd August to the 8th October, while it was pass- 

 ing southwards. 



248. Hydrochelidon nigra (Linn.). 



This species must be expunged from the list of birds of 

 Gilgit. Major Biddulph misunderstood my remarks about 

 the five Terns I had shot [antea, p. 102). I was referring 

 to something that had been published about the diagnosis of 

 the three species of HydroQhelidon ; and I intended to say 

 that, if measurements alone were to be relied upon, some of 

 my specimens might be H. leucojJtera or H. nigra. As a 

 matter of fact all the examples referred to are immature H. 

 hybrida. It is to be hoped, therefore, under these circum- 

 stances, that Gilgit will not be quoted as a locality for the 

 Black Tern. 



f 249. Phalacrocorax carbo (Linn.). 



This Cormorant is tolerably common along the larger rivers 

 in the district. It is a summer visitor to Gilgit, and doubt- 

 less breeds there; I observed it continuously from the first 

 week in March to the middle of September, but never saw it 

 in winter. The following are the measurements and weight 

 of a female in the plumage of the first year, shot on the 21st 

 April : — Length 30'5 inches, wing 12" 7, tail 7, outer toe and 

 claw 36, tarsus 2"1, bill from gape 3*6 ; weight 3 lb. 13 oz. 



^ 



