The Indian bird seems to average much larger than the English though not larger than the Continental bird.
Distribution. Northern Africa, Europe and N. Asia. In India it is found throughout the Himalayas to Eastern Tibet.
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Fig. 17.—Head of P. pyrrhocorax.
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Fig. 18.—Foot of P. pyrrhocorax.
Nidification. The Red-billed Chough breeds freely in Tibet, Ladakh and Northern Kashmir, breeding generally in cliffs, but, in Tibet, frequently in the Tibetan houses and buildings whether occupied or not. They are early breeders, laying in the end of March and April and often having a second brood. The eggs are like those of the English bird, but much duller and more brownish in tint and they average much bigger, 41.7 X 28.4 mm. against 40.7 x 27.9 mm. Whymper took its eggs at the end of April in Garhwal at 9,000 and 12,400 feet. The nests were of sticks with wool lining, placed in clefts of rocks.
