SOME BIRDS OBSERVED AT DALKOUSIE. 585 



2nd June — A nest containing 3 naked young birds found built in a 

 hollow in a kind of crag, formed by earth and stones gathered round the 

 trunk and roots of a tree, which was growing in the middle of a watercourse 

 by a road. 



9th June — 3 naked young and an addled egg found in a nest of the 

 above type which was placed about 15 feet above a road under the scarpe 

 of a high bank. The egg measured 20 x 14 mm. 



This nest is always one of the easiest to find in the Western Himalayas 

 owing to the frequent habit of the species of building in banks by paths, 

 the site of the nest being further betrayed by the sitting bird which usually 

 dashes out in front of any passer-by. 



The Verditer Flycatcher is accustomed to hawk from bare twigs at the 

 tops of trees. 



589. The Rufous tailed Flycatcher — Alseonax ruficaudus (Swains.). 



Not observed in June but met with commonly in September when indivi- 

 duals were often found in the hunting bands of small birds. This Fly- 

 catcher was not observed to hawk in the open, but was always found perch- 

 ing and darting about after insects within the boughs and foliage of trees. 



Four specimens preserved are all in adult plumage. 



592. The Grey-headed Flycatcher — Culicicapa ceylonensis (Swains.). 



Only once noted in June but fairly common in September when it was 

 generally met with in company with hunting bands. It usually perches on 

 the inner boughs, of trees and hawks within the spread of the boughs, or 

 in open spaces bettveen the trunks of trees ; the note is loud, harsh and 

 distinctive and is frequently uttered. 



615. The Dark Grey Bush-chat — Oveicola ferrea (Hodgs.). 



A pair were haunting our garden by the Upper Bakrota Mall in June ; 

 in September their progeny were also to be found there. A few were also 

 noted in other localities. 



The species was, I think, common below Dunera along the tonga-road in 

 June^ but had disappeared by September. 



630. The Western Spotted Fork-tail — Henicurus maculatus (Vig.). 



One was met with in September on a stream in the catchment area beyond 

 Bakrota ; the species was reported to me from the same place in June. 



638. The White-capped Redstart — ChimarrJiornis leucocephalus, Vig. 



Reported from the above stream in September. 



661. The Brown-backed Indian Robin — Thamnobia cambaiensis (Lath.). 



A common bird along the lower portion of the tonga-road and met with 

 as high as Haled Post. It does not of course occur in Dalhousie. 



663. The Magpie-Robin — CopsycJius saularu (L.). 



A few individuals were met with along the tonga-road in both June and 

 September, but none were noted at a higher elevation than Dunera. 



673. The Grey-headed Ouzel — Merula castanea, Gould. 



An Ouzel seen on the upper Bakrota Mall in September appeared to be 

 of this species. 



676. T^e Grey Winged Ouzel — Merula boulboul (Lath.). 



Common on Bakrota and met with both in June and September. A nest 

 was found containing a single naked nestling on 3rd June ; this nest T^as a 

 cup of moss with a mud lining, and was placed about 10 feet from the ground 

 in a fork of an evergreen oak in tree jungle on a steep khud side. The parent 

 birds were most excited whilst we were in the neighbourhood of the nest. 



690. The Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush — Petrophila erythrogastra (Vig.). 



This Rock-Thrush was distinctly common both in June and September, 

 and in the former month was evidently breeding. It is usually found in 

 the higher tree jungle perching in trees, and is not particularly partial to 

 undergrowth. Specimens obtained in September were very deep in moult. 



