54 



Ornithological Observations in the Suilej valley, [No. 1, 



XXII. Family 00RV1D2E. 



185. Corvus tibetanus, Ho d g s., (II. 294). This, so called, 

 species is common in summer all through. W. Tibet and only very 

 few birds come down in winter to Kulu and the Sutlej valley, near 

 Koteo-urh, but it is said to be abundant at that season in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Chini. Although generally supposed to be a good 

 species* Dr. Jerdon includes it, and I believe very properly, in the 

 list of the doubtful ones. The only difference, from the European Cor. 

 corax, is its occasional somewhat larger size, but this is far from 

 constant. I obtained in Spiti several specimens which evidently 

 appear to belong to the same species, and they are by no means larger 

 than true C. corax. Some do not even appear to equal the largest 

 measurements of C. corax, but as these had been taken only from 

 dried specimens, I will not absolutely rely upon them, especially as 

 I hope to settle that point more carefully on my next visit to Tibet. 



186. Corvus culminatus, Sylces, (II. 295), is only to be found 

 in the lower hills and generally retires to the plains for the winter. 



187. Corvus intermedins, A d a 7ii s, (11.29), is most common 

 all through the N. W. Himalayas ; in W. Tibet it was found by me 

 only W. of Lei, about Kargil, Dras and towards Skarclo. During 

 the- summer it is the only species met with about Chini and in the 

 eastern portions of the Sutlej valley. 



The usual measurements are; total length 18—20 inches, length of 

 wing 12-13 inches, tail 8-8J inches, length of bill 2^-2^ inches, height 

 of the same about | inches. 



188. Corvus splendens, Vie ill, (II. 298), is very seldom seen 

 to the east of Kotegurh, and only near the villages. 



189. Nucieraga HEMispiLA,f Vig. (II. 304), is very common all 

 through the forests of the valley, from low elevations to the limit of 

 trees, and from Simla to Chini. 



190. Nucifraga multimaculata, Gould, (11.304). I procured 



* Ibis 1867 p 34 Mr. Blyth still considers the species as distinct from 

 C corax. When lately in London he shewed me a large specimen of this 

 species, sent from the Himalayas, bnt I confess that I have seen in the 

 Museums at Munich, Berlin and Vienna quite as large specimens of the 

 European C. corax. I do not think that they are distinct species, (Feb. 1868.) 



f The plumage of this species is very variable. I obtained specimens winch 

 have very few and almost not traceable white spots. The N. immaculate, 

 which B ly t h (Ibis, 1867, p. 36) calls an unspotted species from Nepal appears 

 to me rather doubtful (Feb. 1868.) 



