Capt. Beavan on various Indian Birds. 83 



single file from tree to tree, keeping up an incessant low twitter- 

 ing. I procured my first specimen there on April 11th, 1866. 

 It differs from Dr. Jerdon^s description in the black eye-stripe 

 extending quite round the nape, and being followed by pure 

 ashy on the back ; the upper tail-coverts are cinereous-ashy, and 

 the irides are yellow, not brown, as stated by that author. 

 Length 4-375 ; wing 2; tail (abraded) 2; tai-sus '625 ; extent 

 5*5 ; bill from front "5. In another specimen, procured on June 

 29th, the black eye-stripe does not quite meet at the nape. The 

 irides are bright yellow; legs dirty orange, or reddish brown, 

 with the claws darker; bill black. Length 4*125 ; wing 2 ; tail 

 l'87o; tarsus barely "625 ; bill from front "25, from gape -375 ; 

 extent '575. 



638. LoPHOPHANES MELANOLOPHUs. Crested Black Tit. 



At Simla, April 20th, 1866, I found a nest of this species 

 with young ones in it, in an old wall in the garden. I secured 

 the old bird for identification, and then released her. The nest 

 contained seven young ones, and was large in proportion. The 

 outside and bottom consists of the softest moss, the nest being 

 carefully built between two stones, about one foot inside the 

 wall ; the rest of it is composed of the finest grey wool or fur. 

 Diameter inside 2-5 in. ; outside about 5 inches. Depth inside 

 nearly 3 ; outside 3*625. A specimen in the flesh, kiUed on the 

 29th of June, measured as follows : — Length 4*5 ; wing 2*5 ; 

 tail 1*875 ; bill from front -375 ; extent 6-75. The bill is jet- 

 black ; irides brown ; legs and claws dark plumbeous-blue. 

 This specimen, in moulting plumage, has the head and throat 

 dark brown, inclining to ashy, but a few shining black feathers 

 appear here and there. 



641. LoPHOPHANES BEAVANi. Sikhim Black Tit. 



This bird, which Mr. Blyth did me the honour of naming 

 after me, I found, as mentioned by Dr. Jerdon, on Mount Tong- 

 loo, near Darjeeling, in 1862; but, I regret, I have recorded 

 nothing of its habits. 



644. Parus monticolus. Green-backed Tit. 

 Darjeeling collection, 1862. Four specimens, 

 Simla, April 11th, 1866. — A specimen in beautiful plumage, 



u2 



