1Q7QJ0URNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXI. 



Himalayas at elevations of 6,000 — 10,000 feet, and, perhaps, even higher,, 

 from the south side of the Pir Panjal Pass in Kashmir (Brooks) to Sikkim 

 (Blanford) : also recorded from Manipur (Godwin-Austen). During the cold 

 weather these birds move down to lower elevations, and the North-West 

 Himalayan ones, at all events, are found in the Duns and plains (Bijnor to 

 Pilibhit) at the foot of the mountains (Osmaston). 



These Finches generally keep to the woody portions of the hills, and are 

 gregarious, moving about in small flocks, except during the breeding season,. 

 when they pair off. They appear to be partial to certain localities in the 

 station here, and are not to be seen in other parts of it at all. When once 

 established at a particular spot, after their first arrival here, they frequent 

 it with great regularity. The abundance of food supplies is doubtless the 

 most important factor that influences selection, as they only come up here 

 to breed : but it seems also essential for them that the hill-sides shall be- 

 fairly well wooded — those covered with Himalayan Cedars (C. deodara), and 

 Blue Pines (P. excelsa), undoubtedly receiving the preference. 



They are very fond of the ripe seeds of the sun-flower plant, and during 

 their sojourn in Simla, these seem to constitute their chief diet. In order- 

 to secure these seeds, they visit the gardens and compounds here freely, 

 When feeding, which is generally in the early mornings and afternoons, 

 they are not at all shy, and allow one to approach quite close to them. The 

 cocks, I have noticed, are gorgers ; one will take up his position on a parti- 

 cular flower, have a few nips, then take a ''' breather," and start afresh. If 

 by chance another cock happens to settle on the same flower, a battle 

 usually ensues — both birds fighting in the air, and then quietly flying off in. 

 different directions. No twittering, as a rule of any kind, goes on among 

 the birds while feeding, and their yellow and green j)lumage blends beauti- 

 fully with the flowers ; in fact to such an extent that at times it is difiicult 

 to catch sight of them even at close quarters. 



Their flight is undulating and swift, and when passing across or overhead, 

 it is not at all easy to catch sight of them, but their peculiar twittering,, 

 which is constantly uttered, betrays their movements. 



There is some disagreement among ornithologists in regard to the notes, 

 of this bird. Adams states that its cry is very like that of the English 

 Siskin, but Hume contradicts this and so does Brooks. The latter's. 

 description of its song is undoubtedly the best : he aptly likens it to 

 the characteristic " beez " of a Greenfinch. This " beez, " I may add, is- 

 only uttered by the cock, usually when perched on the topmost branch of a. 

 tree, and can be heard from a long distance off. The other note, which is- 

 also indulged in by the hen, is a soft twitter or " chick " constantly 

 emitted, even when on the wing. 



This Finch breeds in July and August, but the great majority of the 

 birds lay in the last mentioned month. The earliest and latest dates on. 



