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Spot-winged
Grosbeak |
Mycerobas
melanozanthos |
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Species (monotypic); i.e. no subspecies/races
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This
magnificent Grosbeak has been found both in the North-west and in
the South-east Himalayas, but more common in the latter region, and
chiefly at considerable elevations. In winter, a few descend to a
lower region, in which season I got one or two pairs near Darjeeling.
Hodgson obtained it in Nepal, where he says they belong to the Northern
region, whence they wander into the central region, even in summer,
in search of ripe stony fruits. According to Captain Hutton this species
“comes to Mussooree in flocks during March and April, and remains
as long as it can find plenty of cherry stones to crack, after which
it disappears. They have a curious chattering note, and love to sit
in the tops of the tallest trees. When at work on a wild cherry tree
they are easily detected by the constant cracking sound of the cherrystones,
which they never break, but open most dexterously at the joining of
the halves. The ground beneath the trees is strewed with the opened
shells”.
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