Genus LOPHOPHANES Kaup, 1829.
This genus is very similar to Parus, but can be distinguished by the shape of its tail which is square or slightly forked. Our Indian species are crested but others are not and even in the same species the crest may be absent, moderate or well developed as in Lopliophanes ater ater which has no crest, and in L. a. æmodius which has a long one.
Key to Species.
| A. |
With a double row of spots on the wing-coverts.
|
| a. |
Abdomen iron-grey
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
|
L. melanulophus, p. 83. |
| b. |
Abdomen ferruginous
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
|
L. ater æmodius, p. 84. |
| B. |
With no spots on wing-coverts.
|
| c. |
Chin and throat black or blackish.
|
| a'. |
Breast and abdomen ferruginous
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
|
L. rubidiventris, p. 84. |
| b'. |
Breast black
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
|
L. rufonuchalis, p. 83. |
| d. |
Chin and throat fulvous grey
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
|
L. dichrous, p. 86. |
(63) Lophophanes melanolophus.
The Crested Black-Tit.
- Parus melanolophus Vigors, P. Z. S., i, p. 23 (1831) (Himalayas).
- Lophophanes melanolophus. Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 57.
Vernacular names. None recorded.
Description. Forehead, crown, crest, hind neck, lores, chin, throat and crest deep black; a large patch on the nape white; the ear-coverts extending down the sides of the neck, the cbeeks and under the eye white; upper plumage iron-grey, the exposed parts of the wing and tail paler; the middle and lower series of the wing-coverts, the inner and some of the outer secondaries tipped with white, the tips of the coverts more or less tinged with rufous; lower plumage from the breast downwards iron-grey; the under wing-coverts, axillaries and a portion of the flanks chestnut; under tail-coverts nearly all chestnut.
Colours of soft parts. Bill black; legs, feet and claws dark bluish grey; iris brown (Davison).
Measurements. Length about 110 mm.; wing 60 to 63 mm.; tail about 37 to 38 mm.; tarsus about 16 mm.; culmen about 6 mm.
The young have the head brown; the upper plumage greyish-brown; the wing spots very rufous; the chin, throat, and crest brown; the remainder of the lower plumage fulvous-brown with the axillaries pale chestnut.
Distribution. The Himalayas from Afghanistan to Garhwal, between 6,000 and 12,000 feet.
Nidification. Breeds at all heights from the end of March to the middle of June, most eggs being laid in May. The nest may be placed in any convenient hole, in tree, wall, bank or rock. It has generally a substantial basis of moss, sometimes several inches
