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BIRDS OF THE PROVINCES OF KASHMIR AND JAMMU 



AND ADJACENT DISTRICTS. 



By 



A. E. Ward. 



Part I. 



Years ago I made out a list of birds that might be found in the 

 Jammu and Kashmir State, but as research progressed it was found 

 needful to add many and to eliminate a few. From this list a 

 catalogue was prepared, in 1903, for the use of the Pratab Singh 

 Museum of Srinagar, during the last two years progress has been 

 made with the collections and as the catalogue has now been brought 

 up to date I venture to publish it in the Bombay Natural History 

 Journal. 



Probably some few additions may have to be made, and possibly it 

 will be hereafter found that a few birds will have to be struck out, at 

 present it is preferable to keep these on the list with the remark 

 ' doubtful ' against them. 



The area dealt with is approximately 70,000 square miles ,• from the 

 plains of Jammu to the Mountains of Ladak and Baltistan, &c, is a far 

 cry, and every variety of climate is met with, hence we naturally expect 

 io meet with a large number of birds. Many migrate through Kashmir 

 in the spring, of these some stay to breed in Baltistan, Gilgit and Ladak 

 whilst oihers doubtless go to far distant countries. 



Some few of the species entered are excessively rare, and this claim 

 to entry depends on one or two occurrences only. We have still a 

 good deal to learn regarding the breeding places of larks, finches, 

 chats, thrushes and warblers. 



ORDER : PASSERES. FAM : CORVIDjE. 



(1). Corvus corax. — The Raven, is common in Ladak and Baltistan, confined 

 to high altitudes. A single specimen was shot at Chattasgul, Sinde Valley, 

 during a severe winter. 



( '>). Corvus corone. — The Carrion-crow, is resident in Kashmir, nowhere have 

 plentiful. Eggs have been taken in May and June in the side valleys at alti- 

 tudes varying from 8,000' to 10,000'. 



(4). Corvus macrorhynchus.— The Jungle-crow, is the commonest crow in 

 Kashmir, &c. Breeds from March to May from 5,000' to 9,000'. 



(5). Corvus frugilegus. — The Book, is migratory, and is found on the banks 

 of the Jhelum and on the Murree Road in winter only. Mr. Blunt shot two 

 near the Anchai Lake in winter 1905. 



