34. Parus monticola, Vig. The Green-backed Tit.
Parus monticolus, Vig., Jerd. B. Ind. ii, p. 277; Hume, Rough Draft
N. & E. no. 644.
The Green-backed Tit breeds through the Himalayas, at elevations of from 4000 to 7000 or 8000 feet.
The breeding-season lasts from March to June, and some birds at any rate must have two broods, since I found three fresh eggs in the wall of the Pownda dak bungalow about the 20th June. More eggs are, however, to be got in April than in any other month.
They build in holes, in trees, bamboos, walls, and even banks, but walls receive, I think, the preference.
The nests are loose dense masses of soft downy fur or feathers, with more or less moss, according to the situation.
The eggs vary from six to eight, and I have repeatedly found seven and eight young ones; but Captain Beavan has found only five of these latter, and although I consider from six to eight the normal complement, I believe they very often fail to complete the full number.
Captain Beavan says:—"At Simla, on May 4th, 1866, I found a nest of this species in the wall of one of my servant's houses. It contained five young ones, and was composed of fine grey pushm or wool resting on an understructure of moss."
At Murree Colonel C.H.T. Marshall notes that this species "breeds early in May in holes in walls and trees, laying white eggs covered with red spots."
Speaking of a nest he took at Dhurmsala, Captain Cock says:—