MERULA MAXIMA, Seebohm. 
KASHMIR BLACKBIRD. 
Merula vulgaris (nec Linn.), Jerdon, Ibis, 1872, p. 137. 
Merula maxima, Seebohm, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. v. p. 405 (1881); Oates, Faun, Brit. Ind., 
Birds, ii. p. 123 (1890, pt.). 
Merula merula maxima, Richmond, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. xviii. p. 486 (1895). 
M. similis M. merule, sed major: аја 5:85 poll. 
Tur type of this species is a young bird procured by Jerdon in Kashmir and now in the Tweeddale 
Collection in the British Museum. The wing in this specimen is 5:85 inches in length. 
Seebohm considered the Kashmir Blackbird to be identical with the Blackbird of Yarkand, 
and in this conclusion he is followed by Mr. Oates (Faun. Brit. Ind., Birds, ii. p. 123), where the 
range of the species is given as extending to Afghanistan and Central Asia. Mr. Richmond (Proc. 
U.S. Nat. Mus. xviii. p. 486) records a couple of specimens, procured by Dr. Abbott in Central 
Kashmir at a height of 11,000 and 12,000 feet, as having a wing of over 5:8 inches, which is larger 
than that of any specimen from Yarkand or Central Asia. 
It would appear, therefore, that a large Blackbird exists in Kashmir, breeding in the high 
mountains, but I have not enough specimens before me to say more upon the subject. Тһе young 
bird procured by Dr. Jerdon is certainly unlike the young of any European Blackbird I have 
seen. 
Тһе two specimens procured by Dr. Abbott in July 1891 are described by Mr. Richmond as in 
very abraded summer plumage. Не writes :—“ They were doubtless resident and breeding in 
Central Kashmir. They bear out Mr. Seebohm's original measurements and point to the higher 
altitudes as the summer home of this form. It is quite probable that this bird does not range very 
far north of Kashmir, as the birds of Eastern Turkestan are referable to a form intermediate between 
this one and the common Blackbird of Europe. Тһе Abbott specimens, though much abraded, give 
the following measurements :— 
Exposed 
Wing. Tail. Tarsus. culmen. 
in. in. in. in. 
Sad 5:82 5:07 1:40 0:96 
OSA ва 5:89 478 40 0:96” 
