1S,; ' S -J 2t. W. llimalajja. 65 



239. Galerida oristata, L i n n. (II. 436), is often seen with the 

 m ; it is not rare in the Indus valley about Lei. Both this and the 

 former species often remain at Kotegurh during the winter. 



XXV. Fan. TREHONIDM. 



240. SPHENooeaora shiknurus, Vig. (III. 453), is the only 

 species winch represents the family i„ the eastern portions of the 

 butlej valley. It is found about Serahan in small flocks, and some- 

 times proceeds even as far as Chini, being particularly f„,„l of 

 mulberry fruits, g roves f those trees not being rare in any of the 

 branch valleys ; elder and eln,-trec S equally are their places of retreat 

 Je r d o n says that the third primary is not insinuate! in Sphenocvcm 

 although it is unmistakeably so in the present species. 



XXVI. Fan. COLXJMBIDM. 



241. Alsocouus IIonasoNir, Vig. (III. 463). The first and fourth 

 qmlls are very nearly equal, the latter being a trifle longer, but both 

 are shorter than the second and third, of which again the last one is 

 somewhat longer than the previous; the second, third and fourth quills 

 are msmuatedon the outer webs, the last one somewhat less than the 

 two others. 



The plumage is rather variable in different specimens and at different 

 seasons. The male has in winter the head and throat more whitish 

 the vinaceous colour above more brown, the posterior part of the 

 back, the wings and the tail greyish brown, and the white specks on 

 the abdomen and the breast are large. In summer the head and throat 

 are greyish, the vinaceous colour above purer and reddish, the white 

 specks are at the same time less numerous; the abdomen, upper tail- 

 coverts and tail are dark brown. 



The females have the head and body much paler than the males 

 especially m winter, and the vinaceous colour is a good deal tinged with 

 dull brown. 



This species is tolerably common near Chini and somewhat farther 



to east ; it feeds on berries and on different seeds on or near the ground 



During a whole fortnight I observed a small flock returning every 



v mug to the same tree (a Pavia indica), but the birds are very shy 



and difficu It to approach, as also stated by J . r do n. Many of tl 



l'fimmn of Tr^4^ i- -. . J 



iem 



-|aiu at Kotegurh even in winter, at which time they probably 

 paitially live on seeds, partially on knops of trees. &c. 



9 



