4 Ornithological Observations in the Sutlej valley, [No. 1 5 



-it is perhaps necessary to remark, that the present records are prin- 

 cipally based upon my own observations, which I had occasion to 

 make during the summer-months-from May to October-m the 

 greater portion of the valley— having also at the same time made 

 a large collection of birds. The references to the fauna in the winter- 

 months are, as already noticed, based upon materials which have been 

 procured by my shikarees, and also upon information from a few friends. 

 In cases where specimens of new or little known birds have been 

 procured, short descriptions may not be out of place, except where the 

 additional remarks have already been supplied, in which cases the 

 respective references,— so far they have come to my knowledge— will 

 be given. Being aware of the great difficulty, which exists in this 

 country, of obtaining sufficiently reliable reference to literature in this 

 branch of Zoology, and also materials for comparison, I have mostly 

 avoided naming any new species, but in several instances I have given 

 indications of such by giving short descriptions. These may pro- 

 visionally serve for identification, or at least for comparison. Should 

 further inquiries make some of my as yet deficient determinations 

 more successful, I hope to be able to communicate the results subse- 

 quently* I may, however, draw the attention of Ornithologists 

 in India to a few interesting species : as, for instance, the Accipiter 

 nisoides, B 1 y t h, whether it be a distinct species from Ace. gularis, 

 S c h 1 e g e 1 ; to Oypselus pacificus, Lath, and the very similar 

 Cyp. leucogenys, B 1 y t h ; to an apparently new species of Munia, 

 several new forms of Phylloscopince, one or two new species of 

 Accentor, a new Montifringilla, a Linota, a Fringillauda, a doubtfully 

 young Hydrohata, and others. 



Before entering upon any details, it seems desirable to say a few words 

 on the physical construction, and on the climatological conditions of the Sutlej 

 valley; and as the fauna and flora of a country are in many respects 

 connected with, or even dependent upon each other, a short reference to 

 the main features of the vegetation of the valley may essentially aid in 

 attaining this object. 



Through the valuable investigation ofMoorcroft, Strachey and other 

 distinguished travellers it is pretty well known, that the Sutlej rises to the west 



* Having since visited the principal museums of Europe and having had opportunities of 

 comparing a few of the doubtful species, I shall occasionally add a few notes, (Feb. 1868.) 



