493 



173. Stoparola melanops (Vigors). 



Generally seen single ; common on the lower Himalayan Ranges. 



174. Hemichelidon fuliginosa, Hodgson. 



Has much the same habits as the true Flycatcher ; frequenting 

 woods and forests, it sports from branch to branch after insects. 

 Not uncommon in the forests near Simla. 



Note. — Closely allied to the above, both in appearance and habits, 

 is a species I found pretty common among the tall poplar and chunar 

 trees in the Valley of Cashmere. Total length A\ inches. Bill tri- 

 angular, half the under mandible is a light yellow ; nostrils oval ; 

 tips of bill slightly bent downwards ; eyes large, black, a faint white 

 ring round the eye. Upper parts dark olive-brown ; tail moderate 

 and slightly forked, first quill spurious, second and third longest. 

 Lower parts lighter-coloured than the back, and on the neck and 

 belly mixed with white. Legs short and black ; claws fully curved ; 

 inner toe slightly shorter than the outer ; wings brown, with inner 

 surfaces a faint rufous colour, giving the wings an appearance of 

 transparency when the bird is flying. They are common in the 

 valley, frequenting the tops of lofty trees, where they hunt after the 

 manner of the true Flycatcher. Their favourite food is a white 

 insect which swarms around the tops of the chunar and other trees. 

 Their note is a loud chirp, like that of the Spotted Flycatcher. The 

 description was taken from a male.* 



175. ACROCEPHALUS ARUNDINACEUS (Linn.). 



Abundant on the lakes and fens in the Valley of Cashmere. 



176. Phylloscopus nitidus, Blyth. 



Deccan and Scinde, common ; frequents woods and groves. Its 

 note is low, sweet, and varied. 



177. Phylloscopus trochilus (Linn.). 



Deccan, Scinde, and lower Himalayan Ranges, common. 



178. Phylloscopus tristis, Blyth. 

 Deccan, Scinde, and N.W. Bengal, common. 



179. Regulus cristattjs, Ray. 



Forests of the middle regions of the Western Himalayas and 

 around Cashmere ; pretty common. Seen generally with the Parus 

 melanolophus. 



180. Sylvia curruca (Gmelin). 



Furze and bushy places in the Valley of Cashmere, common. 



* I am inclined to consider this a young bird of H. fuliginosa. There is no 

 material difference, except in being spotted— the case with the young of Fly- 

 catchers in general. — A. L. A. 



