A OONTBIBUTION TO THE ORNITHOLOGY OF CASHMERE. 991 
him as a wide plain surrounded by a complete circle of snows, and tra- 
versed by the tortuous course of the Jhelum river. The Dhal lake at his feet, 
the Woolar lake in the distance, and the numerous smaller lakes and patches of 
flood or migation water, all tend to give the impression that the plain is water- 
logged, — almost a gigantic marsh. 
In comparison with the plains of Lidia or the various hill stations, Srinagar 
has an atmosphere predominantly English ; the clean fresh air, the gardens and 
orchards, and the gi’een level turf all contribute to this impression, which is height- 
ened by the Avifauna. The majority of the common birds are of types famihar 
to the Englishman. The loud Jack ” of the Daws and the song of Tickell’s 
Ouzel, the call of the Wryneck and the twitter of Goldfinches, all recall familiar 
sounds of the English coiuitryside. Swallows, Kingfishers, and SpaiTows are 
abimdant. Flocks of Starlings feed busily on the laivns. And if the abundance 
of Kites, Hoopoes, Bee-eaters, and Golden Orioles introduces an element that is 
not Enghsh, it is after all as much South European as Asiatic. 
The spring of 1920 was an imusually late and cold one. In fact the residents 
of the place told me everything might be considered at least three weeks later 
than usual. To this fact may be attributed the small number of nests fomid. 
The majority of the common bu’ds were just beginning to lay eggs at the date 
of my departm’e. 
Finally I should like to acknowledge with gratitude the great assistance 
rendered to me by Miss G. Robinson in the study of the birds of Cashmere. I 
have also to thank Dr. Hartert and Dr. C. B. Ticehurst for their assistance in 
identifying many of the skins collected. 
The .Jungle Crow — Corvvs coronoides intertnedins, Adams. 
While the .Jungle Crow was abundant all along the country from Kohala to 
Baramullah, it proved to be comparatively scarce in the plain of Srinagar winch 
is not sufficiently wooded for its requirements. Onlj' a few indhriduals were 
seen actually in Srinagar. 
The House Crow — Corvus splendens, Vieill. 
Observed in small numbers in Srinagar and about the road, but by no means 
as common as the next species or as in the plains of the Punjab. 
The Jackdaw — Colams monedula collaris (Drummond). 
On the upward journey of April 1st a small party of .Jackdaws was first 
observed at Domel, 21 miles from Kohala, and some more w'ere seen next day 
about the 68th mile. After that the species became very numerous and one 
of the most familiar of the objects along the roadside. On the return journey 
of May 12th the Jackdaw was common all along the road as far as Baramullah 
but was not observed below Uri. 
Jn Srinagar it was the most common and noticeable of all the birds and with 
the well known call greatly contributed to the English atmosphere of the place ; 
it breeds in the hollow Chenar trees, in the roofs of the houses and in holes of walls 
and bridges, being just as impudent and tame, as is Corvus splendens in the 
plains. 
On my first anival J was much struck by the stream of Jackdaws which 
poured into Srinagar in the evenings and left again about sunrise. These flights 
continued throughout my stay but appeared to diminish in number, being 
latterly perhaps composed of non-breeding birds ; as far as J could ascertain 
these flights roosted in the beds of -willow trees Avhich border all the waterways 
between the city and Dhal lake. 
Kidification was in full swing by about the middle of April and from that time 
onward the birds were to be seen in the day time mostly in pairs sitting about 
side by side in the -vicinity of their nests ; so that a huge Chenar tree, hollow with 
age, would be seen to hold a dozen or more birds, sitting sedately pair by pair, 
each near the hole that held its nest. 
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