288 Mr. P. J. C. McGregor on Birds observed 



4. T urdus pilaris L. Fieldfare. 



From the second week in January until about the 20th 

 of February, flocks of hundreds frequented the plain and the 

 mountain-pastures. They were very noisy and far from shy. 



5. Turdus merula L. Blackbird. 



A common resident above the level of the plain wherever 

 there is cover. The volume of melody poured forth by the 

 Nightingales and Blackbirds in spring surpasses anything 

 I have heard elsewhere. 



6. Monticola saxatilis (L.) . Rock-Thrush. 



Breeds in small numbers in suitable localities near the 

 town. I saw a pair at Lakhtse on April 15, 1903. 



7. Cinclus aquaticus (L.). Dipper. 



A pair or two haunt every mountain-stream. In winter 

 they may be seen on the Dragor, where it traverses the 

 most frequented quarter of the town, and they pair early in 

 April. The specimens obtained seem to approach the variety- 

 known as C. albicollis. 



8. Saxicola cenanthe (L.). Wheatear. 



The Wheatear is not seen in numbers till April 10-15, the 

 earliest dates of arrival noted being March 29 in 1903 and 

 March 22 in 1904. The local birds disappear in August, 

 and there is an interval of about three weeks before the 

 northern migrants begin to pass through. None were seen 

 after September 27. 



9. Saxicola melanoleuca (Giild.). Black-throated Chat. 

 On April 20, 1904, I came across a flock in a vineyard 



and secured several specimens. 



10. Saxicola albicollis (Vieill.). Black-eared Chat. 

 Evidently very rare. On April 19, 1904, I shot a male 



on the outskirts of the town, and on May 27 I saw a pair 

 near Ekshi Su carrying insects in their bills, so I presumed 

 that there was a nest in the neighbourhood. 



11. Pratincola rubetra (L ). Whinchat. 



The Whinchat is a late arrival as a rule, although on 



