Birds of Kohat and Kurram. 229 
[761.] Carpodacus erythrinus. The Common Rose 
Finch. 
Marshall, J. B. N. H. S. xiv. p. 604 (Quetta: common at 
9000 ft. in May) ; Fulton, op. cit. xvi. p. 52 (common from 
10,000 to 15,000 ft. in July, and at 5000 ft. in winter) ; 
Ward, op. cit. xvii. p. 484 (found everywhere). 
179. $ ad. Kohat, 1760 ft., 3rd April. 
Major Magrath has made the following notes on this 
species :—“ Visits the district in considerable numbers on 
the spring and autumn migrations, passing through on the 
former in March and April, and on the latter in September 
and October, when mostly young birds are seen. A good 
deal of damage is done by this species to the fruit-trees, which 
it attacks by eating the buds after the manner of Bull¬ 
finches. The song may be rendered thus, to-weet-tew ” 
In the summer I found the bird abundant in several of the 
valleys of the Safed Koh from 6500 to 8500 feet, where in 
the early morning the loud though rather monotonous song 
resounds on all sides. 
[763.] Erythrospiza githaginea. The Desert-Finch. 
Perreau, J. B. N. II. S. xviii. p. 186 (one shot: Chitral). 
88. cf ad. Kohat, 1760 ft., 18th January, 1906. 
This example was procured by Major Magrath out of a 
small flock at the foot of the hills. Subsequently I fre¬ 
quently met with the birds, generally feeding on stony 
ground, but once in young crops. They are probably resident. 
I came across a pair near Tliall on the 19th of May which, I 
believe, had a nest, but I failed to find it. 
[764 b.] Rhodospiza obsoleta. The Persian Desert- 
Bullfinch. 
Watson, J. B. N. H. S. xv. p. 145 (common in gardens in 
August and September and again in March : Chaman, 
4450 ft., near Quetta). 
74. d a d. Kohat, 1760 ft., 8th January. 
Oates (Fauna Brit. Inch, Birds, ii. p. 233) wrote that this 
species was likely to be found within Indian limits. Capt. 
Watson procured, I believe, the first authenticated examples 
SER. IX.—VOL. III. R 
