240 A CONTRIBUTION TO THE ORNITHOLOGY OF NEPAL. 



SO often traversed by Mr. Hodgson and his shikaris. But my 

 specimens also correspond in the most minute particulars with 

 the so-called P. sivalensis, Hutton. This I have ascertained 

 comparison of specimens in Mr. Hume's museum ; so that there 

 can be no doubt that sivalensis must be relegated to the limbo 

 of synonyms.* 



No doubt opinions will vary greatly as to whether nipalensis 

 and some other forms are specifically distinct from eupatrius, 

 Linn. The subject is too large to be entered on here, but I will 

 merely note (1) that Captain he^gQ demurs to the statement 

 that eupatrius of Ceylon is so very much smaller than the 

 other forms, (^2) that a specimen from Mount Aboo is said to be 

 nearer the Singhalese than the Sub-Himalayan form, (3) that 

 Sikim examples are not identical with either sivalensis or any 

 other named race, and (4) that an adult male of so-called 

 magnirostris from Burma in Mr. Hume^s collection has the bill 

 no larger (in fact a little smaller, I think) than in a specimen 

 from Ceylon, When the whole evidence is carefully collated 

 I believe that P. eupatrius will stand with two sub-species, viz. 

 P. magnirostris, Ball, and P. nipalensis, Hodgs. To follow 

 Mr. Seebohm's ingenious classification of ornithologists, the 

 " lumpers" will admit eupatrius only, the " splitters'^ will 

 recognize eupatrius, and about four other closely^allied species. 

 I hope that my attempt to introduce mvself among those '' who 

 aim at hitting the happy medium^' will be duly remembered to 

 my credit. 



This fine Paroquet is common in the S^l forest of Nepal 

 from Semrabasa, where the forest begins, to Hetoura in the 

 Dun. The bird is most numerous about Bichiakoh, less so at 

 Semrabasa, where it meets P. torquatus, and at Hetoura where 

 it meets P. purptireus. I did not observe it in the plains, nor 

 above Hetoura in winter. It is never seen in the valley of 

 Nepal except as a cage bird. This species frequents the depths 

 of the S^l forest in pairs or small parties of six to eight. Its 

 note is rich deep and not unpleasant, and its flight is rather 

 slow but strong. 



148.— Palseornis torquatus, Bodd. 



Three males: — Length, 17 to 18'5 ; expanse, 20 to 21 "5; 

 wing, 6-8 to 7-3; tail, 10 to 10-85; tarsus, 0-6; bill from 

 gape, 0*76 to 0'8 ; from anterior margin of cere to point, 

 straight, 0"96 to I'O ; cere on culmen, 0'08 to 0*1 ,• depth of 

 closed bill, 0'85 to 0*93 ; closed wings short of tail, 6'9 to 7*5. 



* This has been already pointed out, S. F. VII., 458, where the vliole questipi^ 

 is fully aiscussed.— Ed., S. F. 



