443 



sorts on the wing. Its note somewhat resembles that of the Jackdaw, but is clearer and more 

 shrill. 



Captain Elwes, who has had ample opportunities of observing the habits of the Chough, both 

 in Scotland and elsewhere, sends me the following note : — " The Chough is found in the island 

 of Islay in considerable numbers, but strangely enough does not appear to frequent any of the 

 northern or outer Hebrides. It is most abundant on the west side of the island, about Kilcho- 

 man, where at least forty or fifty pairs roost every evening in the cliffs above the church. They 

 do not associate with the Jackdaws which resort to the same roosting-place, but keep together 

 in small flocks, soaring up and down about the rocks, with their broad rounded wings widely 

 spread, and showing the tips of the quills separated and curving upwards. Their flight at this 

 time is something like that of a Woodpecker, but without much forward motion ; and their wild 

 peculiar cry, which may be heard at a great distance, is constantly uttered. The birds appear 

 to be always in pairs, even in winter, and probably pair for life, like the Eaven. In the morning 

 they disperse over the island in small parties, feeding on the grass-land and about the roads, 

 where they turn over the droppings of cattle in search of insects. Though not so wild as the 

 Eaven or Crow, they are, like other members of their family, wary birds, easily alarmed, and not 

 to be approached very closely if they see you take notice of them. Their flight when moving 

 about the country is strong and hurried, but not rapid ; and their course is very erratic, and never 

 in a direct line like that of a Eook. It breeds in May, making its nest in holes and fissures in 

 the cliffs, where it is most difficult to get at them. 



" The Himalayan Chough, though somewhat larger in size, does not differ in habits or cry 

 from the British bird. I found it abundant in the Lachen and Lachoong valleys of Northern 

 Sikkim, at from about 9000 to 16,000 feet elevation, but not on the Chola or any of the outer 

 ranges. It feeds about the yakherds' camps, turning over the dung and stones for insects ; but it 

 also eats seeds and berries. 



"In Lycia, the south-western part of Asia Minor, I also found this bird in 1874. It fre- 

 quents the high mountains near the coast, but descends to the plains to feed. I procured one 

 specimen, which is exactly similar to others from different parts of Europe." 



The nest of the Chough, which, as above stated, is usually placed in a fissure in the rocks, 

 is a tolerably large structure, constructed of old sticks and well lined with roots, wool, and hair ; 

 and the eggs, from four to five in number, are pale creamy white, some having the ground-colour 

 almost white, whereas others have it darker and with a faint greenish tinge, and all are marked 

 with faint purplish underlying shell-markings and hair-brown surface-spots and blotches, some 

 being but slightly marked, whereas others are tolerably closely covered with spots and blotches. 

 In size a series in my collection, from Lundy Island and the Welsh coast, vary from 1^ by 1^% 

 to If* by !£> inch. 



The specimen figured, on the same Plate with P. alpinus, is one obtained at Islay by Captain 

 Elwes, being the bird described, and is in my collection. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens: — 



G 



