AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

75. Machlolophus xanthogenys

(75) Machlolophus xanthogenys xanthogenys (Vigors).
THE NORTHERN YELLOW-CHEEKED TIT.
Machlolophus xanthogenys xanthogenys, Fauna B. I., Birds, 2nd ed. vol. i, p. 91.
The breeding range of this Titmouse extends from about Murree to Nepal and Sikkim ; Rattray did not find it common about Murree but it is very common around Mussoorie and also in the Garhwal and Simla Hills.
The Yellow-cheeked Tit is far more of a forest bird than the Black-spotted Tit and, though sometimes breeding in gardens or close to houses, it is more often found nesting in forest. It also seems to keep exclusively to holes in trees for this purpose, selecting such as are at any height from 4 to 20 feet from the ground. Almost any tree with a convenient hole will suffice for the purpose but Oak-trees seem to be the most popular. As a rule a ready-made hole is used in which to place the nest but some¬times the birds will themselves make a hole in a rotten branch or stump. The nest is the usual pad of fur or wool on the top of moss or other material. They breed at all heights from 4,000 to 7,000 feet and perhaps both higher and lower. Eggs have been found from the last ten days in March to well on in June but the great majority of eggs are certainly laid in April. Jones says that round Simla they seem to be double brooded.
The eggs only differ from those of the preceding species in averaging a narrower oval. Forty eggs average 17.9 x 13.2 mm. : maxima 18.7 x 13.1 and 18.3 x 14.0 mm. ; minima 16.9 x 12.6 and 17.2 x 12.2 mm.
They lay from four to six eggs. In Simla Jones and Dodsworth. found four eggs to be the most usual full clutch but in Mussoorie, Murree and other places five eggs were very often laid.

BookTitle: 
The Nidification Of Birds Of The Indian Empire
Reference: 
Baker, Edward Charles Stuart. The nidification of birds of the Indian Empire. Vol. 1. 1932.
Title in Book: 
75. Machlolophus xanthogenys
Spp Author: 
Vigors.
Book Author: 
Edward Charles Stuart Baker
CatNo: 
75
Year: 
1932
Page No: 
71
Common name: 
Norrn Yellow Cheeked Tit
M_ID: 
21294
M_CN: 
Himalayan Black-lored Tit
M_SN: 
Machlolophus xanthogenys
Volume: 
Vol. 1
id: 
13294

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