44 W. T. Blanford— Zoology of Sikkim. [No. 1, 



Cypselidce. 



103 COLLOCALIA PUCIPHAGA (ThlUlb.). 



Common on the Chola range up to at least 12,000 feet, and throughout 

 the Tista valley at low elevations. I did not meet with any swift in Upper 

 Sikkim. 



Upupidce. 

 254 Upttpa Epops, L. — Not rare at high elevations in Northern Sikkim. 

 I saw it as high as 15,000 feet at Momay Samdong. Very probably all seen 

 were migrating from beyond the Himalayas, as it is scarcely probable that 

 any breed at this elevation. 



Sub-order — Passeees. 



NectarinidcB. 



629 iETHOPTGA ifflSTCATTDA (Hodgs.).- — Common in rhododendron and 

 pine jungle at about 11,000 feet on the Chola range in August, feeding 

 upon flowers in open glades. All seen were young males in non-breeding 

 plumage, or females. 



I have no specimen, but I believe the identification of this bud is 

 correct. Several were shot by Captain Elwes. No Nectarinidce were seen 

 in Upper Sikkim. 



Ampelidee. 



629 Myzoexis pyeehouea, Hodgs. — Common in the same place as the 

 last species, hunting amongst the brushwood and over the mossy banks. I shot 

 one on the ground. It was evidently limiting about the moss for insects. 

 Mr. W. S. Atkinson obtained specimens on the Singalela range. None were 

 seen in Upper Sikkim. 



In Mr. Gr. R. Cray's new Hand list of birds Myzomis is placed as a 

 subgenus of Yuhina, between Phyllomis and Criniger in the Pliyllomitliince ; 

 a view not borne out by the structure of the birds, nor by their nidification, 

 so far as that is known. I doubt its being an improvement on Jerdon's 

 classification. 



027 Ytthtna occipitalis, Hodgs. — This bird, which Dr. Jerdon says is 

 rare near Darjiling, is very common and abundant in the pine forests between 

 8,000 and 10,000 feet in the Lachen and Lachung valleys. It is found in 

 small flocks usually associated with other species. The following measure- 

 ments were taken on a freshly killed bud ; length 5, wing 2 - 4, tail 2, 

 tarsus 07, bill 055 inches. 



626 Y. guxaeis, Hodgs. — This is less common than the last in the 

 pine forests about Lachung, though still by no means rare. It is common 

 above 10,000 feet on the Chola range, where I did not meet with 

 Y occipitalis. 



