58 CBATEROPODrDJE.

to conceal completely the rest of the materials of the nest, and in all
the nine nests before me the extent to which the moss is used varies.
The eggs of this species are typically somewhat elongated ovals,
some are much pointed towards the small end, others are somewhat
pyriform, and others again are subcylindrical. The shell is fine
and soft, hut has only a moderate amount of gloss. The ground-
colour, which varies very little in shade, is a delicate pale, slightly
greenish blue, almost precisely the same colour as that of TrocJia-
lopterum erythrocepJialum. The eggs are sparingly (in fact, almost
exclusively about the large end) marked with deep chocolate.
These markings are in some spots and blotches, but in many assume
the form of thicker or thinner hieroglyphic lines. As a rule, three
fourths of the egg is spotless, occasionally a single speck or spot
occurs towards the small end of the egg. One or two eggs are
almost spotless. In length the eggs vary from 1*1 to 1-23, and in
breadth from 0-73 to 0-87, but the average of sixteen eggs is
1-17 nearly by 0-82. .

87. Trochalopterum phcenicenm. (G-ould). Tlie Orimson-winyecl
Laughing- Thrush.

Trochalopteron plioenicemn (Gould), Jerd. J3. Ind. ii, p. 48 ; Hume,
Rouc/h Draft N. $ JS. no. 422.,,

Mr. Gammie says:—" I have found altogether seven nests of
the Crimson-winged Laughing-Thrush in and about Eishap, at
elevations between 4000 and 5000 feet, and on various dates be-
tween the 4th and 23rd May. The locality chosen for the nest is
in some moist forest amongst dense undergrowth. It is placed in
shrubs, at heights of from 6 to 10 feet from the ground, and is
generally suspended between several upright stems, to which it is
firmly attached by fibres. It is chiefly composed of dry bamboo-
leaves and a few twigs, and lined \\ith black fibres and moss-roots.
A few strings of moss are twisted round it externally to aid in
concealing it. It is a moderately deep cup, measuring externally
about 5 inches in diameter and 4 inches in height, and internally
3| inches in width and 2 inches in depth.

" The eggs are almost always three in number, but occasionally
only two. Of the seven nests taken by me, five contained eggs and
two young birds."

The Crimson-winged Laughing-Thrush, according to Mr. Hodg-
son's notes, breeds in Sikhim, at elevations of from. 3000 to 5000
feet, during the months of April, May, and June. The nest is
placed in the fork of some thick bush or small tree, where three or
four sprays divide, at from 2 to 5 feet above the ground. The
nest is a very deep compact cup. One measured in situ w7as 4*5 inches
in diameter and the same in height externally, while the cavity was
3 inches in diameter and 2-25 deep. It was very compact and was
composed of dry leaves, creepers, grass-flowers, and vegetable fibres,
more or less lined with moss-roots and coated externally \vith dry
bamboo-leaves. They lay, we are told, three or four eggs.