68 
[No. 1, 
W. T. Blanford— Zoology of Sikkim. 
This bird differs widely from every described form. In structure it is 
closely allied to M. nivalis, and differs from Leuoosticte in its shorter wings 
and tail. The plumage may become whiter in the winter. 
I met with one flock of this new finch near Kangra Lama pass, and 
with another at Phalung, both places inhabited by purely Tibetan forms, and at 
elevations of 15,000 to 16,000 feet. It is probably common in Tibet. Dr. 
Stoliczka is of opinion that it is the same as the undescribed Montifringilla 
found by him in Ladak (J. A. S. B., 1868, pt. II, p, 62), but of which his 
specimen is not now in Calcutta. 
Corvidco. 
657 Cobvtis corax, L. (O. Tibetanus, Hodgs.). — I give the measure- 
ments of four birds taken before skinning. They do not exceed those given 
by II. von Pelzeln (Ibis, 1868, p. 316,) from Dr. Stoliczka’s notes, so that it 
is improbable that the Eastern race is really distinct. Mr. Blyth appears to 
consider the Tibetan bird identical with the European, (Ibis, 1870, p. 169, 
note,) and I learn from Captain Elwes that Dr. Jerdon is of the same opi- 
nion, indeed ho placed O. Tibetanus amongst the doubtful species in his 
Appendix. 
1. 2. 3. 4. 
Male. Female. Sex not ascertained. 
Length,,.. 27* 25"5 2e>*75 25 5 
Wing, 19*25 19* 18*75 19- 
Tail, 11*5* 10*75 11* 11- 
Tarsus, 3* 2-lf 2*75 2'75 
Length of bill from gape, 3 '25 2*85f 3* 3* 
Height of ditto, 1*3 l'lf 1*25 1*25 
The wings when closed just reach the end of the tail which is very 
distinctly wedge-shaped. Iris very dark brown. 
Ravens were not seen much below 14,000 feet, but above that elevation 
they were common both on the Chola range and in Northern Sikkim. 
660 Corvus Vaillaxti,J Less. (O. culminatus, Sykes). — Some specimens 
from Northern Sikkim are so much larger than any from the plains of India 
that I am strongly disposed to think them distinct, but other specimens from 
the same locality are no larger than those from Calcutta. 
There is considerable variation in the size of this species in India, as 
the follow in g series of measurements will shew : — 
* In the dried specimen the tail moasures only 10*5, and the height of the bill is 
1*15, tarsus 2*7. 
t These measurements are from the dried skin. 
1 Lord Walden in the Ibis, 1868, p. 165, note, has pointed out that Lesson’s name 
C. Levaillantii (potius Vaillo/ati) has priority over Sykes’s. 
