IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 181 



(11) THE BLUE-BEARDED JAY. 



(CYANOCOEAX CYANOPOGON— Max.) 



Description. — General colour pale brown ; tail with broad white bands 

 at the tip ; head, sides of the face, neck and throat black ; a large blue 

 spot over the eyes ; nape and hind neck white ; under surface of the body 

 whitish. 



Hab. — Brazil. 



Four specimens received in November 1888 never recovered from 

 the miserable condition in which they reached the garden, and died 

 within a month or two of their arrival. 



(12) THE RED-BILLED CHOUGH. 



(GEACULUS EEEMITA— {Linn.) ) 



Resembles a house-crow in form, but is more slender; its whole 

 plumage is glossy black, bill slender, curved, and coloured brilliantly red ; 

 legs and feet red. 



Hab. — Found in the Himalayas from Kashmir to Bhutan; in 

 Kashmir it is common at low elevations during the winter, but in 

 summer frequents very high altitudes ; in Sikhim it has been observed 

 at elevations from 9,000 to 16,000 feet. Its western limit reaches as far 

 as Europe and Abyssinia, extending eastwards as far as China. 



(13) THE YELLOW-BILLED OR ALPINE CHOUGH. 



(PYEEHOCOEAX ALPLNUS— Vieill.) 



Its plumage is also black, but wanting the same gloss as in the 

 Red-billed Chough ; bill yellow, feet red. 



Hab. — It also inhabits the Himalayas from Kashmir to Bhutan, 

 generally at very high elevations. 



Length of life in captivity. 



Both the specimens died within a month and a half after their 

 arrival at the garden. 



Treatment in health. 



These birds will never thrive in the plains, and it would therefore 

 be better if they were never brought down from the hills, and much less 

 to Bengal. The specimens which came under observation fell acci- 

 dentally into the possession of the garden, and all that could possibly be 

 done to mitigate their sufferings and prolong their life was tried, but 

 without avail. 



