182 LOPHOPHANES 



268. BLACK-CRESTED TITMOUSE. 

 LOPHOPHANES MELANOLOPHALUS. 



Lophophanes melanolophalus, (Vigors) P.Z.S. 1831, p. 23 ; (Gould), 

 Cent. Himal. B. pi. 30 ; (id.) B. of Asia, ii. pi. 61 ; (Gadow), Cat. 

 B. Br. Mus. viii p. 28 ; Gates, F. Brit. Ind. Birds, i. p. 57. 



g ad. (Himalayas). Kesembles L. rufinuchalis bnt has the upper parts 

 clearer darker bluish, and more rufous on the sides of the breast ; 

 secondaries and wing-coverts with conspicuous white terminal spots. 

 Culmen 0'42, wing 2*5, tail 1-8, tarsus 0'67 inch. Sexes alike. The 

 young resembles those of L. beavani but have conspicuous buff terminal 

 spots on the wing-coverts and secondaries. 



Hob. Eastern Afghanistan and N. W. Himalayas from 

 Kumaun to Murree. 



Frequents conifer woods in the mountains at elevations of from 

 6,000 to 12,000 feet, and breeds from March to June, placing 

 its nest, which is constructed of moss, fur, and wool, in a hole 

 in a tree, rock, or wall, the latter in preference. The eggs, 

 from 6 to 8 in number, are pinkish-white spotted and blotched 

 with bright brownish-red, and measure about 0'61 by 0*47. 



269. MONGOLIAN CRESTED TITMOUSE. 

 LOPHOPHANES DICHROIDES. 



Lophophanes dichroides, Prjevalsky, Mongol i Strana Tangut, ii. p. 54. 

 (1877) ; Pleske, Prjevalsky's Reisen, ii. p. 166, Taf. ix. fig. 2. 



< ad. (Kan-su). Crown and crest mouse-grey, the forehead whitish ; 

 rest of the upper parts hair-brown, the rump rather yellower ; wings and 

 tail brownish grey with paler margins ; a half collar round the hind neck 

 pale isabelline ; under parts pale isabelline, the throat and breast rather 

 whiter ; flanks tinged with pale reddish buff ; bill blackish ; legs slate- 

 grey ; iris brick-red. Culmen 0'45, wing 2'8, tail 2'1, tarsus 0*85 inch. 

 Female similar but a trifle duller in colour ; the young bird has the 

 upper parts darker, and the under parts more uniformly coloured. 



Hob. The province of Kansu in Mongolia, the S. Tetung 

 Mountains, and Moupin. 



Nothing appears on record respecting the habits of this 

 species, which in Mongolia is found in the conifer woods in the 

 lower mountain zone. It probably does not differ from L. 

 didirous (Hodgs.), of which it is an eastern form differing in 

 having the upper parts browner and the under parts paler. 



