THE BIRDS OF KOHAT AND THE KURRAM VALLEY. 181 



Abundant and resident on the Samana, many birds wintering in the Miranzai 

 and Samilzai Valleys, and, in the winter of 1907/1908, and again in 1909 quite 

 a number visited the orchards around Kohat, staying till April. Occurs also in 

 the Kurram Valley up to 7,000 ft., but not so commonly. 



[105.] Argya Caudata. The Common Babbler. 



Rattray, J. B. X. H. S. xii. p. 337 (abundant at Thall) ; Cumming, op. cit. 

 xvi. p. 686 (very common in Seistan) ; Ward, op. cit. xvii. p. 110 (found in the 

 outer ranges). 



A resident and very common, especially in scrub-jungle, only occasionally, 

 visiting gardens. Does not ascend the hills to aQy height, its place being taken 

 by Crateropus canorus. 



Breeds in April and May. 



[104.] Argya earlii. The Striated Babbler. 



Major Magrath obtained an example of this species last March in a reed-bed 

 in Bannu. 



[110.] Crateropus canorus. The Jungle Babbler. 



Ward, op. cit. xvii. p. 110 (chiefly confined to Jammu). 



639. $ ad. Hangu, .-,700 ft., 3rd March. 



66C. $ ad. Marai, 3,000 ft., 10th March. 



A resident, taking the place of. Argya caudata from the foot of the hills 

 where the two occur together, up to 4,000 feet in winter and 6,000 feet in 

 summer. Fairly common, too, in the Miranzai Valley in winter, wherever 

 there is plenty of scrub- jungle. Not observed in the Kurram Valley. 



[139.] Pyctorhis sinensis. The Yellow-eyed Babbler. 



Major Magrath has met with parties of this Babbler in the sugar-cane fields 

 and reed-beds of Bannu. An example shot by him is now in the National 

 Collection. 



[1*7.] Myiophoneus temmincki. The Himalayan Whistling-Thrush. 



Rattray, J. B. N. H. S. xii. p. 338 (common in winter : Thall) ; Marshall, 

 op. cit. xiv. p. -02 (Quetta : 7,000 ft. in May) ; Fulton, op. cit. xvi. p. 47 

 (common in Lower Chitral) ; Rattray, t. c. p. 422 (common in Murree Hills); 

 Ward, op. cit. xvii. p. 110. 



A fairly common winter visitor from mid-September till mid-April, rather 

 rare round Kohat, but common in the Miranzai and Samilzai Valleys on tht 

 Samana and occurring as far south as the Mianwali District. A resident in the 

 Kurram Valley, nesting between 6,000 and 8,000 feet. Usually found about 

 cliffs and groves near water, but sometimes in very dry shadeless spots some 

 distance from water. 



[191.] Larvivora brunnea. The Indian Blue- Chat. 



Rattray, J. B. N. H. S. xvi. p. 423 (common at Murree) ; Ward, op. cit. xvii. 

 p. 110 (nests in Kashmir up to 8,000 ft.). 



Occurs in summer along the lower slopes of the Saf ed Koh between 6,500 

 and 8,000 ft., but is not common except in one or two secluded glens. Very 

 shy, has a rich but quite short song. 



