88 A CONTRIBUTION TO THE ORNITHOLOGY OF GILGIT. 
1007.—Phalacrocorax pygmeus, Pail. 
The Little Cormorant is abundant throughout the year alike on 
jhils, rivers and streams. From the fact that it is always most 
common on jhils near rivers, I conclude that it prefers running 
water and habitually resides within easy reach of streams. 
1008.—Plotus melanogaster, Penn. Native name— 
Bhanwa. 
The Indian Snake Bird is a common and permanent resident, 
occurring sometimes singly, in pairs, and in flocks. During 
the day it is fond of sunning itself on the grassy banks of 
jhils and on the bare branches of trees on their margin, flying 
off or darting into the water on the approach of danger. It 
is capable of moving for considerable distances under water, 
and usually swims with nothing but its head and neck exposed, 
though, when danger threatens, everything but its bill disap- 
pears, till it considers it has gone far enough to be perfectly 
safe, when it gradually shows up again. 
(Reprint from the “ Ibis.’’)* 
A Contribution to the Ornithology of Gilgit. 
By Joun ScuLty. 
THE following notes on the birds of Gilgit are founded on a 
collection of 1,543 specimens obtained in that country during 
a residence of nineteen months. Of this period nine months 
were passed in Major Biddulph’s company; and for the rest 
of the time I was alone. 
I have endeavoured to make my remarks quite supplementary 
to Major Biddulph’s interesting paper on the birds of this region, 
published in this Journal (republished Stray Fearusrs, Vol. 
IX., p. 801). I have restricted my observations here to the 
precise limits of country laid down by Major Biddulph, and, 
as a matter of convenience, have adopted his classification and 
numbers ; the species not preceded by numbers in my paper 
were omitted in his account. This explanation renders unne- 
cessary a reference to my friend’s paper under each species. 
My specimens have been carefully compared by me in this 
country ; and with reference to this matter I have to acknow- 
* As this paper forms a most important commentary on Major Biddulph’s paper, 
which I reprinted, A am obliged to reprint this also.—Ep., S. F. ' 
