BETWEEN MUSSOORI AND GANGAOTRI IN MAY 1874. 241 



513.— Calliope pectoralis, Gould. 



Three examples were procured which varied much in shade. 

 Specimens from Sikhim are of an unusually dark blackish* 

 grey, while my Cashmere ones are a moderately dark brown. 

 The Sikhim females that I have seen are also of a darker 

 tone ; still, I do not think there is any specific difference. Oat 

 of a fair series, hardly two birds are alike. I found each of the 

 three birds solitary ; one was obtained at Derali, and two lower 

 down the valley, between Barahath and Moneri, as well as I 

 remember. 



516. — Acrocephalus dumetorum, Blyth. 



I saw a pair of these birds in a dense rose thicket near 

 Dhanolti, which is not far from Landour. This was the very 

 end of May. Whether the birds bred there or not I don't 

 know. The male was not singing when I passed. I made a 

 good search for the nest, but without effect. All Reed Warblers 

 build a cup-shaped nest, I believe ; and on this account I doubt 

 the eggs procured by Captain Hutton, vide lt Nests and Eggs," 

 page 327. Mr. Hume also appears to doubt them ; still it is 

 possible that the habits of this bird, as it is not an aquatic one, 

 may differ from those of other Reed Warblers. 



526 Ms. — Horornis pallidus, Brooks. 



I described this speciesf as Horeites, but on comparing it with 

 Horornis fortipes, I find it is about the same size, and is a true 



* I have noticed that the birds which I procured in November and December, when 

 they occur at least as low down as 5,000 feet, are much darker, blacker, and greyer 

 than those that I have shot in the interior in summer at heights usually of above 9,000 

 feet.— Ed. 



f As this species is not in Jerdon, and is now mentioned in Stray Feathers for the 

 first time, I subjoin the original description as also that of Dumeticola major, Brooks. 



'• Horeites pallidus. — A larger bird than the last (H. brimneifrons, Hodgs.), but 

 of very similar construction. It is found in dense jungle at lower elevations. Its 

 song is a strange prolonged whistle with a sudden turn at the end ; the second strain 

 consists of 5 or 6 notes in a different key; after a short silence, the long whistle is 

 begun again. I have heard more than one visitor to Cashmere call this bird ' the 

 whistling bird.' 



" The description is as follows: — Length, 5T5 inch; wing, 22; tail, 22; bill, -33 ; 

 and from gape, - 5 ; tarsus, "9; irides hazel brown ; bill light brown ; lower mandible 

 paler, except the tip ; legs, toes, and claws light fleshy brown. Whole upper surface 

 dull greyish olive or rather pale olive grey ; a slight tawny tinge on the wings and 

 basal half of tail, on the outer webs of the feathers. Lower back and upper tail- 

 coverts rather lighter and brighter in tint than the rest of the back ; being more of a 

 pale brown with slight tinge of yellow in it. A dull whitish grey supercilium. Pale 

 brown streak through the eye. Cheeks and ear-coverts brownish white, mottled with 

 pale brown. Chin to abdomen greyish white. Sides of breast, flanks, tibial plumes, 

 and lower tail-coverts pale brownish grey; the flanks being slightly tinged with 

 fulvous, and the lower tail-coverts still more so ; lining of wing creamy white. 



" This bird has none of the depth of rich colouring of the Horornis group. Its 

 mode of coloration is rather like that of Acrocephalus dumetorum in faded summer 

 plumage, but paler and lighter. The tarsi, feet, and claws are strong and stout. Tail 

 much graduated, the outer feathers being "42 shorter than the central ones. In the 

 wing the 5th primary is the longest, and a shade longer than the 6th; 4th a little shorter 



2 G 



