52 
W. T. Blanford — Zoology of Sikkim. [No. 1, 
and above 10000 in Northern Sikkim in August, September and the begin- 
ning oi October. It evidently breeds in the higher ranges, and descends in 
winter to the valleys, as described by Jerdon. In the middle of October all 
the birds of this species in the Lachen valley had descended to below 10,000 
feet elevation. 
508 Ianthia ritftlata, (Hodgs.)— This is another bird found in the 
winter around Darjiling, which evidently breeds in the pine forests. I shot 
specimens at about 12000 feet both on the Chola range and in the Laclmng 
valley. One bird, a female, killed in the last named locality, is immature and 
has only partially assumed the adult plumage. It has pale spots on some of the 
back and head feathers, whilst the nestling feathers remaining on the breast 
are isabelline with dark margins. 
Detmochares stellattjb. — Gould P. Z. S. 18G8, pp. 218, 219. Birds 
of Asia, Pt. XXI. A single male was shot by my shikari at Yeomatong in 
the Lachung valley at 12000 to 13000 feet. The specimen is in poor condi- 
tion and much injured, so that I can give no trustworthy dimensions. 
This form, although well distinguished by its peculiar coloration, appears 
to be scarcely entitled to rank higher than a sub-genus of Brachypteryx. I 
have elsewhere, in another paper on Sikkim birds, given my reasons for placing 
Brachypteryx near Ianthia in preference to classing it with the wrens, as is 
done by Jerdon. The usual position assigned to the genus amongst the 
Timaliince {Crater op idte) or Leiotrichinm appears to me quite incompatible 
with the structure and habits of the Himalayan species. 
513 Calliope pectoralis, Gould,— Common on the Chola range, but 
less abundant in northern Sikkim ; in both localities only seen, in August and 
September, above 12,000 feet, and usually above the limit of forest. It 
haunts rhododendron scrub in which it doubtless breeds, and is frequently 
seen on the hill side near bushes. 
In the only male I possess there is no white moustachial stripe, and I 
can only find one male specimen out of 5 (4 mounted and 1 skin) in the 
Indian Museum, exhibiting this character. This specimen also has the white 
spots at the tip of the tail feathers much larger than in others. In my 
specimen, and in one apparently from the N. W. Himalayas, as presented by 
Jerdon to the Museum, there is a broad white forehead, not mentioned in 
Jerdon’s description, and wanting on other specimens to which I have access. 
The adult females (2 in number,) shot by me, do not agree well with 
Jerdon’s description, which may perhaps betaken from a young male. At 
all events in 2 adult females, and 2 young birds obtained in Sikkim, as also 
m the skin of a hen bird in the Indian Museum, there is no white whatever 
at the base of the tail. Adult females have the upper parts brown with a 
slight greyish tinge, wings hair brown with paler margins to the quills ; tail 
blackish, feathers tipped white (not fulvous), but without any white at the 
