555 

 A LIST OF THE BIRDS OF DHARMSALA. 



BY 



Captain R. W. G. Kingston, m.c, m.b., i.m.s. 



(With three Plates and one Text Figure.) 



The birds mentioned in this list represent a collection made on the southern 

 slope of that portion of the Lesser Himalaya known as the Dhauladhar Range 

 in the immediate vicinity of Dharmsala. The range itself stands as an imposing 

 barrier along the northern flank of the Kangra Valley. It rises here to a height 

 of 16,000 to 17,000 feet and is clothed with forest up to an altitude of about 

 11,000 feet. 



I have made mention only of those species which I have seen within the actual 

 limits of the range, though some of them ascend no higher than the very foot- 

 hills. My observations have been confined to altitudes above 4,000 feet, and I 

 have no concern with the distribution of species below that level. Most of my 

 remarks refer to the subject of local vertical migration and to the altitudinal 

 limits within which the different species are confined. My observations were, 

 made over a period of no more than nine months, from November 1918 to July 

 1919. They cannot, therefore, be considered in any way complete. Nevertheless 

 they may serve as a foundation on which others can build with further accuracy 

 and precision. 



I am much indebted to Mr. C. H. Donald, F.Z.S., for his kindness and assis- 

 tance especially with regard to the identification of Birds of Prey. Indeed, 

 without his help in this matter, I have no doubt that the following Ust of birds 

 would have been still more incomplete : — 

 The Jungle Crow — Corvus macrorhynchus, 



A resident species. Common, noisy, ubiquitous. Widespread over both 

 the valley and the range. In summer many birds leave the valley to ascend 

 to cooler heights. Observed in summer as high as 15,000 feet. 

 The Yellow-billed Blue Magpie — Urocissa flavirostris. 



Abundant, resident. Keeps to the wooded areas of the range. In winter 

 collects into small parties that love to associate with a flock of jays. A 

 local migrant that moves up and down the slope in accordance with the 

 change of season. Its winter zone on the range is between 4,000 and 7,000 

 feet ; its summer zone between 6,000 and 9,000 feet. 

 The Indian Tree-pie — Dendrocitta rufa. 



A bird of the Kangra Valley, Not common. Occasionally seen at the 

 very foot of the range, but not observed above 4,000 feet. 

 The Black-throated Jay — Garrulus lanceolatus. 



Uncommon, I suppose a resident. Seen occasionally on the northern 

 slopes of Dharmkote between 6,000 and 7,000 feet. 

 The Himalayan S&y— Garrulus bispecularis. . v ^ i 



A rare bird in these parts. Met with on one occasion only, m the tt.eytai 

 nullah at 6,300 feet. 

 The Red-biUed Chough— GVOCM7M5 eremito. * „^.i.,„;™lv 



4 common and noisy resident of the snow-line. Keeps almost exclusive^ 

 to the alpine pastures. Moves sUghtly up and down the slope ^^ccordance 

 with the change of season. In winter may descend as low as 8,0UU leet , 

 in summer ascends as high as 14,000 or 15,000 feet. 

 The Yellow-billed Chough— Pyrrhocorax alpinus. 



Resident on the snow-fine. Less common than the ^"^"'^ "^^. «^ ^^'; 

 Both these Choughs haunt the same elevations, move up «;"d^;^'u 

 slope within the same altitudinal Umits and intermmgle m a common flock. 



