THE BIRDS OF GILGIT. 323 



The sixty-odd specimens, now examined, show at least twenty 

 phases or gradations of plumage ; and though we cannot 

 separate them into two distiuct species, neither can we show 

 conclusively that the gradations, according to age or season, 

 are applicable on the assumption that there is only one species. 



In no case does the white in these birds extend on to the 

 mantle, as it does in S. morio at all ages. 



S. picata also has the bill stronger and deeper, and the tarsus 

 and toes stronger and coarser than in S. morio. Some speci- 

 mens measure as much as 6'8 inches in length, while only a 

 single specimen of S. morio measures 6"4 inches, the next 

 longest being 6*25 inches. No other measurements show per- 

 manent distinctions ; but, on the whole, 8. morio has somewhat 

 the shorter tarsus. 



Two dissected females, shot March 31st and April 5th, have 

 black throats and breasts, albescent chins, and dark brown 

 backs ; two males, shot March 25th and April 1st, seem to 

 belong to the same type, having brown on the back. 



In the middle of June a nest was found deep in the crevice 

 of a stone wall in a ruined fort. After two eggs had been laid 

 the bird was apparently killed by some animal. One egg was 

 found broken, and the ground strewn with feathers of the hen 

 bird. The egg is pale blue, thinly spotted all over with rusty 

 red, more thickly (but not very thickly) at the larger end. 



76.— Saxicola albonigra, Hume. (489 bis). 



This species is never very common, but is the only Saxicola 

 which remains in winter. I have procured specimens both in 

 January and June. It may always be distinguished from 

 S. picata by the size of its bill, which is always over half an 

 inch in length. 



77.— Saxicola morio, Hemp, fy Mr. (490). 



This species is apparently only to be distinguished from 

 S. leueomela (under which name it is described by Jerdon) by 

 the inner web of the quills being black instead of white. (See 

 Blanford and Dresser's Monograph, P. Z. S., 1874, p. 225.) 



From S. picata it may be distinguished by its more delicate 

 legs, feet, and bill : it shows white on the head at all seasons ; 

 and the white extends on to the mantle. In no specimen of 

 5. morio obtained is there any trace of rufous on the under 

 tail-coverts. One specimen differs in this point only from 

 Gould's plate of S. capistrata ; and the specimen mentioned 

 in the monograph as from Lahore, with rufous on the under 

 tail-coverts, would appear to be a stage of the form described 

 as 5. capistrata (see S. picata) : the white is very silky, and 



