THE BIRDS OF KOHAT AND THE KURRAM VALLEY. 781 



[661.] Thamnobia cambaiensis. The Brown-backed Indian Robin. 



Rattray, J. B. N. H. S. xii. p. 340 (a common resident) ; Ward, op. cit. 

 xvii. p. 481. 



686. <J ad. Kohat, 1,760 ft., 16th March. 



A fairly common resident in the plains. As Major Magrath notes, it 

 differs from its down-country relatives in shunning gardens and cultivated 

 spots, preferring arid stony localities, and shewing a marked partiality for 

 graveyards. It does not ascend the hills to any height, and in the Kurram 

 Valley we did not find it above 3,000 feet. 



[666.] Merula maxima. The Central Asian Blackbird. 



Ward, J. B. N. H. S. xvii. p. 482 (breeds in Kashmir at high altitudes). 



295. Juv. Safecl Koh, 10,500 ft., 1st July. 



Bill, gape, and eyelid brownish yellow ; tarsus fleshy brown ; iris brown. 



Apparently very rare, this example being the only one met with. 



[In July 1908 I found this fine bird fairly common outside our limits near 

 the head of the Kaghan Valley (Hazara, N.-W. F. P.) between 12,000 and 

 13,500 feet, in parties of from three to ten, or occasionally alone. It was 

 very wild, and it was with difficulty that I procured three examples (now 

 in the British Museum). On revisiting this valley in May and June 1909, I 

 found it nesting freely in the juniper-scrub between 10,000 and 12,000 ft. 

 Altogether 8 nests were found ; they were very similar to those of M. vulgaris. 

 The nest was usually built in a juniper but on 2 occasions in a hollow in a 

 cliff. The song seems to lack the quality and variety of that of the Blackbird 

 but was not often heard. The call and also the alarm note resembles tchut- 

 ut-ut rapidly repeated. The rattling alarm so freely used by the latter was 

 only heard when the eggs or young were in danger. The males were very 

 wary and were seldom seen near the nest except when there were young. 

 The majority appear to breed in immature plumage, only 2 were observed 

 in the glossy black dress with orange bill of the adult.] 



[672.] Merula castanea. The Grey-headed Ousel. 



Rattray, J. B. N. H. S. xvi. p. 657 (abundant in the Murree Hills). 

 Ward, op. cit. xvii. p. 482 (occurs in Kashmir in varying numbers). 



598. $ ad. Kohat, 1,760 ft., 18th February. 



657. S ad. Hangu 2,600 ft., 8th March. 



Fairly common from November till April in the wooded nullahs of the 

 Samana in company with flocks of M. atrigularis. A few individuals occur 

 in the Miranzai Valley and in the orchards of Kohat in February and 

 March. 



I met with a family-party on the 9th of August on the Safed Koh at 

 8,000 feet. 



[674.] Merula fuscaxa. The Dusky Thrush. 



Major Magrath shot a specimen of this Thrush on the 7th of April in his 

 garden at Bannu ; the skin is now in the British Museum. On seeing it I 

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