208 NOTES ON SOME BIRDS OBSERVED IN THE 



I also observed these birds in the plains up to Multan. At 

 Sher Shah I saw a Common Crow (C. impudicus) bullying a 

 young Raven, one of the old birds making no attempt to defend 

 it. It would seem that no birds are safe from the attacks of 

 these impudent Crows. 



Measurements in inches: — Wing, 16*25; tail, 95 ; bill at 

 front, 2*3 ; tarsi, 2 - 8. 



690.— Pastor roseus, L. 



Every morning between 7 and 8 o'clock I observed a 

 number of flocks of the Rose-colored Stalling flying towards 

 the plains. Their destination was, I believe, the date groves 

 25 miles off, which surround Dera Ghazi Khan. The dates 

 were at that time getting ripe, and large numbers of Mainas 

 and Parrots were attracted by them. I saw too large flocks of 

 Common Starlings flying through the groves, but cannot say 

 certainly that they also eat dates ; it however seems to me pro- 

 bable that they do. 



Some of the Rose-colored Starlings, I was told, roost in the 

 station, but the luxurious birds which I observed had. it would 

 seem, their hill sanitarium to which they retired to enjoy cool 

 slumbers.* 



757. — Mirafra cantillans, Jerdon. ? 



A young bird which I shot in the Chamarlang valley at an 

 elevation of about 4,000 feet appears to belong to this species. 

 I did not observe any others. 



769.— Galerida cristata, L. 



The Crested Lark was not uncommon in the higher regions. 

 I did not observe it lower down. Possibly it leaves the plains 

 during the hot weather and rains. 



788. — Columba intermedia, Stride. 



The Common Blue Pigeon was obtained in the higher regions. 

 I also saw one specimen of C. livia. 



It would appear that this is the border land of the two 

 species. 



820— Caccabis chukar, Gray. 



One specimen of the Chukar seemed identical in depth of 

 coloration with an example of the Himalayan bird from the 

 vicinity of Simla. The species appeared to be tolerably com- 

 mon in the higher regions. 



* I think there may he some mistake here. I understand from Mr. Ball that he 

 never saw any flocks returning in the evening, and the end of July is just when these 

 birds commence returning to Western India from their breeding haunts further west. 

 Where these are is still uncertain. See further on this subject, Vol. I. p. 208. — Ed. 



