64 CORVID^E. 



Vernacular names. None recorded. 



Description. A broad black raoustachial band; lower part of 

 rump, upper and lower tail-coverts, vent and thighs white ; with 

 these exceptions the whole plumage of the head, neck and body is 

 a rich vinaceous fawn-colour ; tail black, with some interrupted 

 ashy bars near the base of the central pair of feathers : wings as 

 in Itucotis. 



Colours of soft parts. Bill dusky ; margins of eyelids dull 

 brick-red ; iris reddish brown ; tarsi and toes pale pinkish fleshy ; 

 claws livid. (Scully.) 



Measurements. Length about 300 mm. ; wing 160 to 178 mm. : 

 tail about 180 mm. ; tarsus about 32 mm. ; culmen about 

 26 mm. 



Distribution. Western Himalayas from Cashmere to Nepal and 

 Garhwal. 



Nidification. Breeds in April, May and June, making a nest of 

 twigs and roots, lined either with grass or with h'ner roots and 

 sometimes having a little moss on the exterior. In shape it varies 

 from a shallow to a deep cup some 6" to 8" in diameter and 

 it is placed in a fork of some small tree, near the top. Chestnuts 

 and oaks seem to be specially favoured. It breeds up to 

 7,000 feet or higher and sometimes as low as 3,000 feet. 



The eggs number four or five and are like those of lanceolatus 

 but more boldly speckled and often more reddish in the ground- 

 colour and markings. They measure 27'5 x 21 - 4 mm. 



Habits. The Himalayan Jay is a resident bird throughout the 

 range between 3,000 and 7,000 feet, perhaps moving up and down 

 a little in summer and winter. It haunts forest of all kinds, 

 both evergreen and deciduous, and in general habits it closely 

 resembles the Black-throated Jay. 



(43) Garrulus bispecularis interstinctus. 

 THE SIKKIM JAY. 



Garrulus bispecularis interstinctus Hartert, Nov. Zoologicae, xxv, 

 p. 430 (1918) (Uarjeeling). 



Vernacular names. Lho-Karrio-ptw (Lepcha). 



Description. Similar to the Himalayan Jay with the upper 

 parts darker and more reddish brown. The throat is concolorous 

 with the lower breast and upper abdomen. 



Measurements. AYiug 150 to 170 mm. (Hartert). 



Distribution. Sikkim and probably all the hills north of the 

 Brahmahputra as far as the Mishmi and Dafla Hills, where 

 Dr. J. Falkiner obtained it. 



Nidification and Habits. Nothing recorded. 



