1872.] W. E. Brooks— Cashmir Birds. 77 



beyond the Pir Panjal range. In Cashmir proper, the only stonechat 

 I observed was P. Indica, which extends up to the Scind valley nearly as far 

 as Goond. 



Ia^thia etteilata. — This bird, like Bvphia leucomelanura, breeds in 

 the immature or female dress. I shot several pahs which were nesting, and 

 saw others. Only one pah had the male mature, and differing from the 

 female. It nests in holes in bank sides, under tree roots, or fallen tree 

 trunks. The eggs, 4 in number, are bluish white, very faintly marked 

 towards the larger end with the palest reddish brown. Those markings can 

 only be seen upon a close inspection. Length - 74 by - 56 inch. 



Calliope pectobalis. — Found beyond the Pir Panjal pass, frequenting 

 large beds of broken rock on the grassy hill sides, where they breed. The 

 song is pretty and rather Accentor-like. 



Acbocephaltjs BETJKNESCEiS'S. — Breeds abundantly in the Cashmir 

 lakes. The nest is supported, about 18 niches above the water, by three or 

 four reeds ; and is a deep cup, composed of grasses and fibres. The eggs are 

 four ; very like those of A. turdoides, but the markings are more plentiful, 

 and smaller. 



Aceocephalus dumetoeem. — Migrates abundantly through Cis-Hima- 

 layan Cashmir in the beginning of May. As I returned in June, I neither 

 heard nor saw one. 



Acbocephaltjs agbicoltts. — Near Shupyion I found a finished empty 

 nest of this truly aquatic warbler in a rose-bush which was intergrown 

 with rank nettles. This was in the road side where there was a shallow 

 stream of beautifully clear water. On either side of the road were vast 

 tracts of paddy swamp, in which the natives were busily engaged planting 

 the young rice plants. The nest strongly resembled that of Gurruca garrula. 

 The male with his throat puffed out was singing on the bush, a loud 

 vigorous pretty song like a Lesser White-throat's, but more varied. I shot 

 the strange songster, on which the female flew from the nest. This was 

 the only pah of these interesting birds that I met with. I think, therefore, 

 that their breeding in Cashmir is not a common occurrence. 



DUMETICOLA MA JOE, Sp. nov. 



Similar to D. affinis, Hodgson, but much larger ; measuring from 6 

 inches to 63 inches ; wing 2"28 to 23 ; tail 27 ; bill at front -55 ; from 

 gape -75 to '8 ; tarsus -87 ; mid toe and claw -72 ; hind toe and claw -Q ; tail 

 excessively graduated, the outer feathers being 1*12 in. shorter than the 

 central ones. The bill is long and compressed at the sides ; generally quite 

 black, but sometimes dark brown with the lower mandible pale, except 

 towards tip. Legs and feet pale flesh colour, with the claws a trifle darker. 

 Irides dark brown ; lores whitish. A cream coloured supercilium. Cheeks 



