A CONTRIBUTION TO THE ORNITHOLOGY OF GILGIT. 89 
ledge my obligations to Messrs. Seebohm and Dresser, who 
have kindly allowed me the freest access to their fine 
collections. 
1.—Vultur monachus, Lin. (1.)* 
I never saw this Vulture in the Gilgit district. Young 
Gyps himalayensis, soaring at a distance, might very easily 
be mistaken for it. From what we know of the distribution 
of V. monachus, however, it should certainly be found about 
Gilgit. 
2.—Gyps fulvescens, Hume. (3 dis.) 
As already noted (ante, p. 38), Major Biddulph’s supposed 
example of this species is probably the young of Gyps hima- 
layensis; but the specimen should be carefully compared, as 
the true G. fulvescens is likely to oocur in Gilgit on passage 
to Turkestan, whence Severtzoff seems to indicate it under 
the name of Gyps rutilans. 
3.—Gyps himalayensis, Hume. (8 ¢er.) 
This fine species, as seen on the wing, has the whole body 
white, sharply contrasted with its black wings and tail; its 
great size and majestic flight make it a very characteristic 
adjunct of Gilgit scenery. I have seen it in winter at eleva- 
tions not exceeding 5,000 feet ; but it never seeks its food close 
to the villages, like the Bearded Vulture. The following are 
measurements in the flesh of a fine adult female :—Length, 
47 inches; expanse, 111; wing, 31; tail, 16°4; tarsus, 
4°6; mid toe s.w., 4°3; bill from gape, 3°19. 
5.—Gypaetus barbatus, Lin. (7.) 
The Liimmergeyer is held in respect by the natives of Gilgit 
who have some story to the effect that the bird was a com- 
panion of their Prophet. Once I fired at one of these birds 
as it sailed over a field; and, in its alarm, it dropped a large 
bare bone, which nearly struck me. An adult male, with the 
lower surface rusty red, measured:—Length, 46 inches; 
expanse, 105; wing, 32 ; tail, 21°7; tarsus, 3°6; mid toe s.w., 
3°6 ; bill from gape, 3°8. Iris bright orange. 
6.—Falco peregrinus, Tunst. (8.) 
Peregrines are found in Gilgit in October when migrating 
southward, and in April on “their passage to the north. 1 
doubt whether they “breed in the neighbourhood of Gilgit 
* As before, I have added in brackets after the name of each species its Indian 
Catalogue number.—ED.,, S. F, 
12 
