Part 128 - Note on 3310 and nest of Grandala

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SUMMARY:
The writer disputes identifying Primula specimen no. 3310 as P. macrophylla, noting consistent differences in size, color, eye, and corolla tube, and its habitat on wetter, near-bare cliff faces. They also describe observing a Grandala nest at about 15,000 ft with three chicks, built under an overhanging cliff, and document frequent parental feeding visits.

CONTENT:
Note on 3310. I believe W. Smith put a similar primula which we got last year on the Bimbi La, as P. macrophylla forma. I cannot agree that this one is the same as P. macrophylla. The latter grows flowers in profusion all around. No 3310 is recognisable at once. It is always much bigger & always the same colour, & always has the deeper blue violet eye. The tube also is dark coloured, not nearly white as this is. The habitat is much the same, but 3310 grows on almost bare cliff faces in wetter places.

Note on nest of Grandala c.c. I have seen several Grandala carrying food for their young up here, or at about 15000 ft. Today we saw one nest. It was built under an overhanging cliff, or a rock ledge covered with grass & moss, & was quite unapproachable. But I watched both male & female come with food several times, & saw the chicks through binoculars take the food. There were three chicks. The nest appeared (15x) to be made of dry grass, a perfect round, well made, perched on a ledge, & lined with something soft looking. The nest was about 5"-6" diam outside, & about 3 1/2 or 3 inside. Parents came every 5-10 minutes.

see p. 75.