
Temperatures in the range of the species for winter (December 
through February) and for summer (June through August) are listed 
below. 

Elevation Winter Summer 
Avg. max Avg. min. Avg. max Avg, 
Lower elevations 68°F 45°F 88°F —— 74 ORR 
(Approximately 1,200 to 3,000 ft.) | 
Middle elevations 49 34 84 65 
(Approximately 3,000 to 6,000 ft.) 
Higher elevations 44 28 69 38 
(Approximately 6,000 to 9,000 ft.) : 
Snow is reputed to be quite deep at the upper elevations, so 
the bulk of the winter kalij populations will be found below 9,000 feet. 
Snow falls in most years down to 5,000 feet but melts rapidly except in 
sheltered northern slopes or at the higher elevations. Sharp frosts 
are usual in winter even in the lower valleys, which are commonly full 
of mist in the mornings during January and February. a 
Precipitation. occurs mainly from June to October, increasing 
in amount from northwestern India eastward to Assam and Burma. Almost 
every month shows some moisture falling in their range, usually averaging 
0.50 inches or more each month. In the extreme western portion, the 
annual rainfall extends from about 27 inches at the higher elevations to 
35 to 40 inches at the lowest levels. Eastward through northern India 
and Nepal, rainfall generally ranges between 50 and 90 inches annually to 
as high as 126 inches for Darjeeling. When cool and rainy weather is 
found at the higher elevations, the birds may be found in open areas 
throughout the day. 
In the black-breasted kalij range, little up and down movement 
occurs due to mild weather conditions which prevail the year round. 
In spring or early summer a movement to higher elevations occurs in some 
populations. Winter and summer temperatures average fifteen to twenty 
degrees higher with little to no snow and much more rainfall occurring 
than in the range of the other three species. The rainfall in Assam : 
averages between 64 inches and 129 inches from May to September. Throughout% 
the remainder of the year rainfall averages two inches or more each month, § 
illustrating the wet climate to be found over much of its range. In 
Bhutan, however, where these birds are also resident up to 6,000 feet, 
precipitation is substantially less. 
32 
