74 W. E. Brooks — Cashmir Birds. [No. 1, 



Axcedo Bengaxensis. — Excessively abundant in Cashmir and breed- 

 ing there very freely. 



Yimx tobqtjilla. — Not unfrequent. Breeds in the large orchard at 

 Bamu. 



Ceethia Hodgscmsti, n. sp. 



The Cashmir creeper is closely affined to C. familiaris, but differs in the 

 following respects : — 



1. A much longer bill, which is also much lighter coloured. 



2. Not nearly so rufous in tone, especially as regards rump and upper 

 tail coverts. 



3. The spots on the head and back are very white, and the brown of 

 the upper surface, especially that of the head, is almost black. This gives 

 the Cashmir species a general grey tone, as opposed to the rufous or fulvous 

 tone of the European bird. 



4. The English bird has the three outer primaries (including the 

 diminutive first) plain brown ; and the fourth is marked with a buff patch 

 on the outer web. In the Cashmir bird there are four plain primaries, 

 and theffth is marked with the buff patch on outer web. On opening the 

 wings of the two birds, it will be found that the arrangement of the buff 

 and brown of the quill feathers generally differs in position and extent. I 

 have no hesitation whatever in separating the Cashmir species. It has also 

 a lighter coloured bill and fighter feet and claws. It is found sparingly in the 

 pine woods near the snows. It was seen at Culmurg and also at Sonamurg, 

 where Captain Cock took a few nests. The egg is much more densely 

 spotted than that of the English creeper, so as almost to hide the reddish 

 white ground colour. Size 0'59 to 065 long, by 0"48 broad ; time of laying, 

 the first week in June. 



I give dimensions of the two species : — 



0. Hodgsoni. C. familia/ris. 



Male. Male. Male. - 



Length of shm, 4-8 4-75 4"8 4"85 



Wing, 2-54 25 2-4 2-42 



Tail, 2-5 23 24 2-4 



Bill at front, -68 -67 "42 "53 



Tarsus, -62 "62 '62 "6 



Length, of foot including claws, 1-25 1*2 



Mr. Blytb, Ibis for January 1867, identifies a Western Himalayan bird 

 with familiaris. I think this specimen will prove to be the present species 

 and not familiaris. C. ILimalayan'a is found on the south side of the Pir 

 Panjal Mountain, but I did not meet with it in Cashinir proper, where it 

 is replaced by C. Hodgsoni. 



