324
going species; it is likewise less deep internally. It was composed
of the dry stalks o£ ' forget-me-not/ compactly held together by
the intermixture of a quantity of moss interwoven with fine flax '
and seed-down, and lined with fine grass-stalks. Internal diameter
3^ inches; external 6 inches; depth 1| inch, forming a flattish
cup, of which the sides are about 1| inch thick. The depth,
therefore, is less by 1 inch than in that of the last-mentioned
nest."
Mr. H. E. P. Carter tells me that " at Coonoor, on the Nilghiris,
this species breeds in April and May, placing its nest in large
shrubs, orange-trees, and other low trees which are thick and leafy.
The nest is externally irregular in shape, and is composed of fibres
and roots mixed with cotton-wool and rags; in one nest I found a «
piece of lace, 6 or 8 inches long; internally it is a deep cup, some
4 inches in diameter and 2 in depth. The eggs are sometimes
three in number, sometimes four."
Mr. "Wait says that " the breeding-season extends from March
to July in the Nilghiris : the nest, cup-shaped and neatly built, is
placed in low trees, shrubs, and bushes, generally thorny ones ;
the outside of the nest is chiefly composed of weeds (a white downy
species is invariably present), fibres, and hay, and it is lined with
grass and hair ; there is often a good deal of earth built in, with
roots and fibres in the foundation of this nest; four appears to be
the usual number of eggs laid."
Miss Cock burn, from Kotagherry, also on the Nilghiris, tells me
that "the Pale Eufous-backecl Shrike builds in the months of
February and March and forms a large nest, the foundation of
which is occasionally laid with large pieces of rags, or (as I have
once or twice found) pieces of carpet. To these they add sticks,
moss, and fine grass as a lining, and lay four eggs, which are white,
but have a circle of ash-coloured streaks and blotches at the thick
end, resembling those on Flycatchers' eggs. They are exceedingly
watchful of their riests while they contain eggs or young, and
never go out of sight of the bnsh which contains the precious
abode."
Mr. Davison remarks that " this species builds in bushes or
trees at about 6 to 20 feet from the ground : a thorny thick bush
is generally preferred, Berberis asiatica being a favourite. The
nest is a large deep cup-shaped structure, rather neatly made of
grass, mingled with odd pieces of rag, paper, &c., and lined with
fine grass. The eggs, four or five in number, are white, spotted
with blackish brown, chiefly at the thicker end, where the spots
generally form a zone. The usual breeding-season is May and the
early part of June, though sometimes nests are found in April and
even as late as the last week in June, by which time the south-
west monsoon has generally burst on the Nilghiris."
Dr. Fairbank writes :—" This bird lives through the year on the
Palanis and breeds there. I found a nest with five eggs when
there in 1867, but have not the notes then made about it."
Captain Horace Terry informs us that this Shrike is a most