XIDIFICATION OF CERTAIN BIRDS IN LADAK. 143 



The Desert Chat, (Enantho desorti atyar/ularis. 



A single clutch taken at Upshi, 40 miles from Leh, on Gth June 1919. 

 Nest constructed in a hole of a stone support to the bridle path, and com- 

 posed of the same material as in the case of ple^clianka . Eo-crs liaht blue 

 very similar to the last named species, but the brownish-red spots tend to 

 fuse into a ring at the broad end. Eggs measure I'S by 16 mm. Altitude 

 about 11,800 feet. 



The Indian Redstart, Phcenicurus ochrurus mJiL-entrix. 



A very common bird indeed from Suru to Rupshu, breeding from May to 

 July in holes in banks and beneath stones on the steep mountain side. In 

 Ladak it has a special predilection for the ' mani ' wall as a nestino- site. 

 Nests of dried grass lined with wool, hair and feathers. Numerous clutches 

 taken. Normal number in clutch 4-i5. Eggs pure Cambridge blue, generally 

 inispotted, but I found one cluch at Gya on 5th June 1919 in which the 

 eggs were very faintly marked with minute reddish-brown spots. Eggs 

 measure 22-19'5 x 14-15 mm. 



The Indian Blue-throat, Ci/anosyhia nuecica ahbotti. 



Two nests found at Bhot Karbu on 24th June 1919. The first contained 

 4 very much incubated eggs, the second 4 newly hatched young. Nests 

 placed on the ground amongst long grass and low bushes, cup-shaped and 

 built of dried grass. The eggs are described by Blandford as being " blue 

 spotted v/ith reddish brown ", but the eggs 1 have before me are sage green 

 «2<^-Msr-fi! with reddish-brown. Distinct spots are not appaient. Eggs measure 

 19-75-20-25 X l4-75-lo mm. Altitude 11,500 feet. 



The Vy'hite Spotted Blue-throat, Cijannsylvia suecica palli<lo(/ularis:. 



Nest containing 4 slightly incubated eggs obtained at Mulbek, a day's 

 march from Bhot Karbu on 25th June. Nest and eggs similar to that of 

 abbottl except that the eggs are more olive than sage-green. Eggs measui*e 

 19"75-20'25 X 14'75-15 mm. Mr, Stuart Baker remarks 'in epistola ' "'the 

 breeding of these two birds within the above limits is remarkable and 

 points to the fact that they should be regarded as true species and not 

 races.'' As Ward records this bird as a rare breeder on the Shyok River 

 in Ladak, it appears that the trinomials should be dispensed with. 



The Himalayan Ruby-throat, Ccdliope pectoralis -pectoralis. 



A nest containing 3 fresh eggs was taken at Donore, which lies midway 

 between Suru and the summit of the Bhot Khol Pass on 11th J^iily 1919 at 

 an altitude of about 12,000 feet. The nest was composed of dry grass and 

 placed on the ground underneath a boulder. 



Two of these eggs are pale blue very faintly freckled with reddish-bro-.ui 

 and are those of •pectoralis. They measure 22 x 16 mm. The 3rd egg 

 is a specimen of Cuculuscanorus telephorus and measures 24'5 X 18 mm. 

 It is pale blue spotted with reddish-brown. This cuckoo was not unfre- 

 quently seen and heard around Suru and in the Rungdum Valley, but 

 I did not come across it in the Upper Indus Valley around Leh. 



The Grey-headed Ouzel, Merula castanea. 



Nest of 3 fresh eggs taken at Chengher in the Wardwan Valley on 

 24th July 1919 at an altitude of about 7,000 ft. Nest, composed of twisted 

 twigs and roots intertwined with dead leaves, and lined with green needles 

 of a pine, was placed on the top of a stump of a tree airongst thick jungle 

 about 5 ft. from the gro nd. Eggs light green covered with brownish-red 

 smudges; 3 measure 29 22'5 mm. 



The Robin Accentor, Laiscopus rubeculoidcs. 



Nest with 3 eggs taken toward the head of the Umlah Nallah near Leh 

 on 18th June 1919 at an altitude of about 13.000 ft. Nest placed on the 



