(622) Laiscopus collaris tibetanus.
The Tibet hedge-sparrow.
Accentor collaris tibetanus Bianchi, Ann. Mus. Zool. Acad. Petersb., ix, p. 128 (1904) (E. Tibet).
Vernacular names. None recorded.
Description. Bather darker than L. c. rufilatus but decidedly paler than L. c. nipalensis and differing from all the other races found within the limits of this work in having the feathers of the deep chestnut flanks broadly fringed with white and the tail very boldly tipped with white.
Colours of soft parts. Iris dark brown; bill yellow at base and black at the tip; legs pale fleshy horn-colour.
Measurements. Wing 96 to 104 mm.; culmen 12 to 13.5 mm.
Distribution. Gobi, Kansu, East Tibet to Huanche, Koko Nur and ? South-East Tibet to the plateaus above Gyantse.
Nidification. Fragments of skins sent me with nests and eggs from South-East Tibet appear from the deep chestnut flanks to be of this race and not of the last. The nests are described as being built in crevices o£ rocks or under stones on rocky hillsides. Judging from the remains they were originally deep cups made of grass, roots and twigs, mixed with moss and lichen and lined with wool or hair. They were taken in June and July, with the exception of one found in May, at elevations of 12,000 to 15,000 feet. The eggs are not distinguishable from those of other races of this species.
Habits. Nothing recorded.
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