1872.] W. E. Brooks— CasTmw Birds. 75 



Sitta Cashjiieeksis, nov. sp. 



In colouration very like 8. ILimalayana, but the Cashmir bird is much 

 larger, with the white on the tail differently distributed. The wing measures 

 3*3 in. The white of the chin, throat and side of the head is not abruptly 

 defined, but shaded gradually into the rufous of the lower parts. It is very 

 like 8. Europcea, but is distinct. The abdomen, flanks and lower tail coverts 

 are darker than in 8. Himalayana. There is no white edging to the under 

 tail coverts as in Europcea and cassia. I procured this bird in the pine 

 forests of Cashmir. 



Sitta letjcopsis. — Captain Cock took the eggs at Sonamurg up the 

 Scind valley. They are like those of 8. Europcea, but glossier and more 

 delicately marked. 



Upfpa epops. — Abundant. I took a nest with ten (!) eggs out of a 

 hollow willow at Eamu. The distinctions pointed out by Dr. Jerdon as 

 separating the plains' species from this one do not hold good. The only 

 certain distinction is the depth of the red colour in the Indian bird, which 

 generally has also a vinous tinge. U. epops arrives from the north in 

 great numbers in September and October. 



Hemicheledon PULiGmN T 0SA, Hodgson. (? H. Siberica, Gml.) 



Abundant in the pine woods of Cashmir about 7,000 feet elevation 

 where it breeds. It was especially numerous at Gulmurg. This is the 

 species described in detail by Dr. Stoliczka in his notes on the Ornithology 

 of the Sutlej valley. 



I think there can be but little doubt that it is the lluscicapa fusce- 

 dula of Pallas. Dr. Stoliczka informs me that Gray, in his ' Handlist', I, 

 page 324, unites M. Siberica, Gml., M.fuscedula, Pallas, and H. fuliginosa, 

 Hodgson, giving the two latter names as synonyms only. I am not satisfied 

 that our North- West bird is the original fuliginosa, described by Hodgson. 

 The measurements, especially of the wing are much larger ; and even a young 

 spotted bird I have, has the wing fully three inches in length. I am also 

 not satisfied that Mr. Hodgson had not two species under the same name, 

 for the dimensions on the back of the drawing of the nest of H. fuliginosa, 

 give the wing of two specimens as each three inches in length. The tails are 

 each two inches long. Of this species on another drawing Mr. Hodgson says 

 " H. fuliginosus. Uniform sooty brown, darkest on alars and caudals and 

 shaded with white on lower belly, -vent and under tail coverts. The body below 

 paler than above. Length 4-f inch ; bill to gape f ; tail 2 ; tarsi to sole T ^ ; 

 central toe and nail rather less ; closed wing 2f ; legs blackish ; bill sooty car- 

 neous." It will be observed that Mr. Hodgson does not mention the whitish 

 patch on the front of the neck, nor the bright rufous on the inner webs of the 

 wing feathers. I have had a good many specimens of the North- West species, 

 and find the wing to range from 2'83 to 3 - 05 ; and the tajtf. from 19 to 2 

 inches. 



