Page:The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma (Birds Vol 1).djvu/108

76 insects, many seeds and fruits and in times of stress practically anything that comes to hand. A meaty bone is a tempting bait to them as is a split cocoa-nut hung in a tree near their haunts. They are essentially arboreal in their habits but occasionally descend to the ground after insects. Their note is a rather shrill whistle and their flight rather feeble and dipping. They are resident birds almost wherever found, moving about to some extent according to the seasons.

(52) Parus major intermedius.

Vernacular names. None recorded.

Description. A very pale race, the upper parts a clear blue-grey, the under parts almost pure white with very little tinge of vinaceous; the nuchal patch is white and conspicuous and the grey of the tail pale and extensive.

Colours of soft parts as in cinereus, but the legs are pale slaty grey.

Measurements. A rather large bird with a comparatively short tail. Wing 68 to 75 mm.; tail 52 to 63 mm.

Distribution. Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Cbitral, East Persia and S.W. Transcaspia.

Nidification and Habits as in cinereus; the eggs average about 17.5 × l3.6 mm. Its nest and eggs were taken by Whitehead at Kalhutty, Baluchistan, and by Harington in the Khagan Valley. Fulton found it up to 12,000 feet in Chitral, where it was very common, and took two nests from holes in Walnut-trees.

(53) Parus major kaschmiriensis.

Vernacular names. None recorded.

Description. A dark bird distinguishable from all others of the dark forms by its greater size; both upper and lower parts are not as dark, however, as in cinereus, but the nuchal patch is grey and very inconspicuous.

Colours of soft parts as in cinereus.

Measurements. Wing 70 to 79 mm.; tail 60 to 70mm.

Distribution. Kashmir, Garhwal, Simla, and Hills of the North-West.