PTYONOPEOGKNE. 181 



cipitous rocks in the Himalayas at heights of from 7000 to 10,000 

 feet. 



I once found a number breeding on the road from Mussoorie to 

 Simla, not many miles from the new hill station Chukrata. This 

 was at the end of April, and I got both eggs and young birds. 



The nests were composed of pellets of clay, and were mostly 

 rather deep saucers plastered in angles of the cliff under projecting 

 ledges. They were warmly lined both with grass and feathers. 



I have no eggs now by me. I did not keep eggs in those days, 

 but I noted that they were long oval pinky-white eggs, with 

 numerous specks and tiny blotches of brownish red and purple. 



Major Wardlaw Bamsay says, writing of Afghanistan : " The 

 Crag-Martin was abundant in the valley in June, and apparently 

 nesting in the cliffs near our camp." 



811. Ptyonoprogne concolor (Sykes). The Dusky Crag-Martin. 



Cotyle concolor (Sykes), Jerd. B. Ind. i, p. 165. 



Ptyonoprogne concolor (Sykes), Hume, Rough Di'aft N. 8f E. no. 90. 



The Dusky Crag-Martin breeds at least twice a year. In the 

 plains of India I have mostly found the eggs in January, February, 

 and July ; but I have seen them in April, and writing from the 

 Xilghiris Miss Cockburn says : " These small Crag-Martins build 

 in the months of April and May. One nest was constructed in a 

 small cave which had been dug out of the earth, where some pretty 

 ferns and moss were growing : I admired the Martins' choice of a 

 site for the abode of their young during the few weeks they might 

 require a dwelling-place. The nest was of clay and of a cup-shape, 

 lined with many feathers, and had two white eggs with minute dark 

 spots all over them, but particularly at the thick end." 



The nest is solitary, very like the Wire-tailed Swallow's, but 

 deeper and smaller, coming to a well-defined point below; it is 

 lined with feathers. 



Mr. F. E. Blewitt says : "This species breeds in both the cold 

 and hot seasons, though I have obtained most eggs in July and 

 August. It has its nest in holes of walls, on projecting eaves, and 

 sometimes on the ledges of rocks, where convenient shelter is 

 afforded. 



" The nest-lining is composed of soft flowering grasses and 

 feathers, the latter forming as it were the inner lining. 



" The regular number of eggs appears to be four. Strictly 

 speaking, it does not breed in company, though at Talbehut I have 

 seen two and three pairs together, occupying as many holes in the 

 old fort wall, near to each other. Dr. Jerdon justly remarks of 

 this Martin that it is scattered sparingly. I have found it only in 

 the vicinity of old forts and mosques, and but few in number. 

 When flying, or rather while feeding on the wing, two and three 

 together, they alternately chirrup to each other. It is a chit, chit, 

 chit, rapidly uttered in quite a soft melodious tone." 



Mr. James Aitken makes the following general remarks on the 



