THE BIRDS OF GILGIT. 337 



In the young birds the dark throat pntch is only partially 

 developed, and is blackish mixed with white. 



126.— Parus melanolophus, Vig. (638). 



A constant resident, but seldom comes below 7,000 feet 

 even in winter. 



A number of specimens were obtained — all males, strange 

 to say ; the buff tint of the spots on the wing-coverts appears 

 to be a mark of nonage, the pure white being obtained when 

 the birds are fully adult. 



In many specimens the white tips to the secondaries are 

 absent, and in others only faintly marked ; their full deve- 

 lopment appears to take place in the adult bird. 



The axillaries and under wing-coverts are rufous, as well 

 as the flanks. The plate in Gould's handsome work, " The 

 Birds of Asia," represents this species very accurately. 



127.— Parus rufonuchalis, Bly. (640). 



This species is distinguishable from P. beavani by its larger 

 bill and by the black extending further down the breast ; the 

 bill in P. beavani is similar to that of P. melanolophus. 



It is a permanent resident at about 9,000 feet, but seldom 

 descends even in the depth of winter to the main valley. It 

 is very common where found. 



Compared with Blyth's type (which comes from Simla), the 

 nuchal spot is less rufous, in some specimens being almost 

 entirely white. 



128.— Parus nipalensis, Eodgs. (645). 



All the specimens procured are paler on the nape ; in some 

 the edging to the black is albescent, but not anything like a 

 semicollar. Specimens from Murree cannot be separated 

 from G-ilgit birds. 



Many show a vinaceous tinge on the white of the abdomen. 

 Nestlings and young birds are strongly tinged with yellowish 

 green. 



The birds from Gilgit are similar to the type found in the 

 Himalayas as far east as Nepal at all events ; but they are 

 considerably larger than the type found in the plains,* and 

 lack the distinct white marking on the nape, whether spot or 

 semicollar. 



Measurements given in Stray Feathers, Vol. II., p. 417, 

 by Ball, from Chota Nagpore, are : — Wing, 2*4 inches in one, 

 2*5 in another. Sex not mentioned. 



* Mr. Blanford has also pointed out that the birds of this species found on the 

 Nilgiris are larger than specimens obtained in the plains (J. A. S. B-, 1869. Fart 

 II., p. 181W. S. 



