THE BIRDS OF GILGIT. 319 



67.— Turdus atrogularis, Tern. (365). 



Not uncommon in the winter, but not a summer resident. 

 When the black plumage of the throat is fully assumed, the 

 rusty tint of the axillaries and under wing-coverts disappears 

 and is replaced by earth-brown uniform with the flanks.* 

 Though I have not remarked it in summer, it probably does 

 not leave the district, but keeps to the higher elevations. 



68.— Turdus viscivorus, Lin. (368). 



Tolerably common in Gilgit during the severe winter of 

 1877-78, but seldom comes so low down, keeping generally 

 to the higher valleys, where I found it in July at 10,000 feet. 



69.— Trochalopteron simile, Hume. (418 bis). 



Seldom seen in Gilgit, but appears to be common higher 

 up the main valley. A pair were shot in Gilgit in the severe 

 winter of 1877-78. 



70.— Trochalopteron lineatum, Vig. (425). 



Common at all times. In summer goes up to about 9,000 

 feet. 



71— -Oriolus kundoo, Sykes. (470). 



A summer visitant, and common. Appears about 1st May. 

 Nest with three eggs hard-set, taken 8th June ; several other 

 nests taken later on. 



72.— Pratincola indicant Bly. (483). 



A summer visitor, but breeds higher up than Gilgit, where 

 it is only common in spring and autumn. 



[Herren Cabanis and Severtzoff pointed out (Stray Feathers, 

 III., 429) the distinction between this species and P. rubicola, in 

 that u P. rubicola has always blackish markings along the 

 feather-shafts of the white rump, P. indica never." Sub- 

 sequently Mr. Hume improved on this definition by statin a- 

 that " the upper tail-coverts and lower part of the rump in 

 indica are never striated." 



According to Mr. Hume's definition, two of the Stonechats 

 obtained would be P. rubicola, but according to Herr Severt- 

 zoff only one ; for one has the rump and upper tail-coverts 



* [This remark is apparently based upon some misconception. I have scores 

 of specimens with the throat and breast entirely black, in all of which the rusty tint 

 of the axillaries, &c, is most conspicuous. Nay I have a Gilgit specimen shot in 

 April, with both throat and breast black, in which this rusty tint is as strongly 

 marked as in any other specimens, so that one cannot explain the text by the 

 supposition that the Gilgit birds differ in this respect— A. O. H.] 



t [Should stand as P. maitra, Pall.— A. O. H.] 



