1872.] W. T. Blanford— Zoology of Sikkim. 43 



the Sikkim specimen with the series in the Indian Museum, I found that 

 in no • case have any of the three species named small hexagonal scales in 

 front of the tarsi as in B. plumipes* There is some variation in this charac- 

 ter, hut all differ widely from my specimen. Both B. vulgaris and B, 

 desertorum also appear to have shorter toes. 



Mr. Blyth (Ibis, 1866, p. 215) considers B. japonicus, Schl., (Fauna 

 Japonica, Av., t. vi. and vii.) probably identical. This is of less importance 

 at the present moment, hecause Mr. Hodgson's name has priority, but dis- 

 regarding the question of plumage, the scutes on the tarsus of B. japonicus 

 are said to he broader, but less high than in B. vulgaris, and there are about 

 8 in front and 12 to 15 behind. The dimensions are a little smaller than 

 those of B. plumipes, whig 13|- inches (french, =14"4 english) in the adult 

 female. The only conclusion at which I can arrive is that B. plumipes is a 

 good species, and that B. japonicus is probably distinct.f 



56 Milvits Govxnba, Sykes. — The only kite I have brought from the 

 upper Lachiing valley, shot at 8,000 feet, belongs to the common Indian race, 

 hut a specimen from Tamlung and another from Darjiling are of the large 

 JSI. onelanotis, Tern, and Sch., 31. major of Hume. Kites, M. Govincla, I 

 believe, were seen up to about 12,000 feet. 



The paucity of Raptorial "birds in Upper Sikkim is most striking. I 

 did not notice a single true falcon or eagle ; and kites, kestrils, sparrow-hawks, 

 and Lsemmergeyers are the only khids at all frecmently seen. 



Order — Insessoees. — Sub-order — PiCAELaa. 



Picidce. 



161 Picus htperytbtrtis, Vig. — This is the only woodpecker which I saw 

 in the pine forests of upper Sikkim. Even this is rare ; only two specimens 

 were obtained during our stay, one at about 10,000 feet in the Lacbung 

 valley, the other at about 9,000 in the Lachen. The latter is a young bird, 

 and has dusky bars on the breast. The change from the faivna of outer Sik- 

 kim, where woodpeckers abound as they do throughout Malayasia, is strikingly 

 exemplified by this family. It is doubtful, if P. liyperytlirus has been obtain- 

 ed in the neighbourhood of Darjiling ; specimens reported to have been brought 

 thence were probaby shot in the interior. 



* Mr. Hodgson's original specimen of B. plumipes, however, is described, P. Z. S., 

 1845, p. 37, as having the tarsus scutillate before and behind. 



f Since writing the above, I have seen Dr. Jerdon's remarks on this species iu 

 the July number of the Ibis, p. 340. He also considers the species distinct, but says 

 the toes are peculiarly short. I trust to be able hereafter to compare my specimen 

 in Europe. 



