A CONTRIBUTION TO THE OKNITHOLOGY OF NEPAL. 319 



and was very active and lively. The birds bave a cbattering 

 note, and when disturbed thej follow one another, in single file, 

 from bush to bush. 



616.— Siva strigula, Hodgs. 



Seven males. — Length, 6*1 to 6*2 ; expanse, 8'3 to 8'4 ; wing, 

 2-7 to 2-75; tail, 2-8 to 2'95 ; tarsus, 095 to 1-0; bill from 

 gape, 0*65 to 0'68 ; bill at front, 0*4 to 042 ; closed wings short 

 of tail, 1-7 to 1-75. 



Six females. — Length, 5'9 to 6*0; expanse, 7-65 to 8"1 ; 

 wing, 2-55 to 265 ; tail, 2-6 to 2-8; tarsus, 0-9 to 10 ; bill 

 from gape, 0'55 to 0-65 ; bill at front, 0*38 to 0*42; closed wings 

 short of tail, 1*6 to 1'8. 



Upper mandible dusky or blackish ; lower mandible grey 

 horny ; irides brownish red ; feet dull grey or greyish plum- 

 beous ; claws brown horny. 



The chestnut on the base of the uropygials extends down to 

 within 1*0 to 1'4 of the tips of the feathers. The female is 

 smaller than the male, and has the colours rather more dulL 



These specimens have the colors deeper and brighter than 

 examples from Simla. I cannot understand why Dr. Jerdou 

 considered that this species and the next had a " Parian bill" with 

 the " tip entire ;" strigula has the tip of the upper mandible 

 distinctly notched, produced and bent over the tip of the lower. 



This Hill-Tit is a permanent resident on the hills round the 

 Nepal Valley, at elevations of from 6,000 to 7,500 feet. It is 

 very common in the Sheopuri Forest, frequenting moderate- 

 sized trees, and tree-bushes, in small parties. In winter it often 

 feeds on berries. 



617.— Siva cyanouroptera, Eodgs. 



Male, Talley, July. — Length, 6"0; wing, 2'6 ; tail, 2'8 ; 

 tarsus, 0-85 ; bill from gape, 0*7 ; bill at front, 0'53 ; closed 

 wings short of tail, 2*0. 



Bill grey horny ; brownish about the nostrils, and the base 

 of the lower mandible yellow ; irides brown ; feet fleshy ; 

 claws horny brown. The tip of the upper mandible is strongly 

 notched. Winglet tipped white ; upper parts tinged rusty ; lower 

 surface pale drab, albescent on the middle of the abdomen. 



The Blue-winged Hill-Tit appears to be rare in the valley 

 of Nepal. The only specimen secured was obtained on the 

 hills bounding the valley to the north. 



618.— Minla ignotincta, Hodgs. 



Two miles, Valley, May. — Length, 5*2 and 5'3 ; expanse, 

 2-35 and 2 6 ; tail, 2-3 and 2-4 ; tarsus, 0-7 and 0-8 ; bill from 



41 



