106 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIII. 



367. Acrocephalus agrieola concinens. — Chinese Paddy Field Reed-War- 

 bler. 



This bird has not I believe been previously recorded from British India. 

 True A. agrieola breeds in the reed beds of Kashmir. But further west this 

 race, curiously enough, appears to be the common one, large numbers 

 passing through Kohat on migration and many stay to nest in the Kaghan. 

 Unlike typical agrieola it nests in undergrowth (Kaniila) on the hill side 

 far from water. Feeling doubtful of its identity I shot several on their 

 return to their nests. Both Dr. Ticehurst and Mr. Stuart Baker agree 

 that they are typical specimens. It starts nesting at the end of June — 7 

 nests with eggs were found in all. Both nest and eggs resemble those of 

 A. stentoreus but the nest is much neater and built within a few inches of the 

 ground. It is usually woven round 4 stalks (in one case -3) in true reed 

 warbler fashion, composed of stems and grass, neatly lined with roots, and in 

 some cases with an edging of green grass woven round the top of the cup. 



The cock-bird at this season throws off his skulking habits and may gener- 

 ally be seen in a conspicuous position singing his high pitched squeaky song 

 accompanied by much craning of the neck and erecting of the feathers of 

 the crown. 



369. Tribura major. — Large-billed Bush- Warbler. The Large-billed 

 Bush- Warbler or the "tick-tick pitta" as it is appropriately dubbed locally 

 from its notes. 



Only observed near Batta Kundi where it breeds. The song is very lik& 

 that of the Grasshopper Warbler. Nest and eggs of usual type, this bush- 

 warbler is an adept at skulking, it can seldom be induced to fly off" its nest. 

 Instead of slipping oW it runs mouselike away at an amazing speed taking 

 excellent cover all the way. 



406. Phglloscojms tytleri. — Tytler's Willow Warbler. 



Occurs in pine and paluda forest from 9,000 feet to tree limit but is not. 

 common. The nest is particularly diflicult to find. I chanced on one at 

 9,800 feet built 30 feet up in a Blue Pine — it was of the usual domed type 

 but very frail, composed of grass lined with feathers and hair. Eggs as. 

 previously described. The hen was shot and proved to be typical (now 

 in British Museum). 



416. Rhyllo&co-pus, subviridis. — Brook's Willow Warbler. 



Has a most peculiar song i^pi-pi-jn-az-z-z) which at once distinguishes it 

 from all other species. In my notes on the Birds of Kohat, etc. (see "Vol. XX, 

 No. 1, p. 191). I incorrectly ascribed this song to Hmnes's Willow Wren as- 

 I shot one, in the act as I thought, of singing this song, whereas P. subviridis 

 must have been there too well vinder cover as usual when P. humii foolishly 

 exposed himself close by. Occurs in the forest from 9,000 feet upwards,, 

 but is rather scarce. 



639. Ruticilla frontalis. — The Blue-fronted Red start. 



Is fairly numerous from 10,000 to 13,000 feet on open hill sides. A nest, 

 with 4 eggs was found at 12,000 feet was neatly made of grass well-lined 

 with moss and feathers and placed in a hollow in the ground. Many nests, 

 with young and one or two in the building stage were also found. 



Alarm note— ee-tit tit, very robin-like alarm. 



644. Ruticilla rufiventris. — Indian Red start. 



Is one of the commonest birds of the valley above 8,000 to 13,000 feet- 

 Eggs as described by Marshall, i. e., very pale blue. 



651, Calliope pectoralis. — The Himalayan Ruby-throat. 



Is abundant from 9,000 feet up to 14,000 feet at least. A nearly fledged 

 Cuckoo was foiind in one nest attended by its minute foster mother. A 

 lizard's tail being one of the delicacies provided ! In another nest above 

 Gitti Das at 13,000 feet a pale sky-blue Cuckoo's egg (unmarked) was. 



