PYCTOEHIS. y/

Mr. E. M. Adam remarks :—" This species builds about Agra
in May, June, and July. The nest is a beautiful deep cup-shaped
structure, almost always fastened to a branch of a low bush. The
normal number of eggs appears to be four."

Erom Kotagherry, near Ootacamund, Miss Cockburn records that
" this bird builds a neat cup-shaped nest, generally choosing a
branch consisting of three upright sprigs, at the bottom of which
the building is placed. The nests (one of which is now before me)
are begun with broad grass-leaves, and the inside compactly lined
with fine fibres of the same material: to render the whole firm,
a few cobwebs are added to the outside, thus fixing the nest securely
to the sprigs. These birds build in the months of June and July,
and, as far as I have observed, lay only three eggs."

Mr. Philipps, quoted by Dr. Jerdon, says that this bird " gene-
rally builds on banyan-trees." This is clearly a mistake. I have
known, of the taking, or have myself taken, altogether upwards of
fifty nests in the North-Western Provinces, whence Mr. Philipps
was writing, and never yet heard of or saw a nest of this species on
a banyan.

Mr. H. Wenden writes :—" At Egatpoora, the top of the Thull
Ghat incline, I noticed, on 30th September, a partly-built nest of:
this species. Watching for some time, I ascertained that both birds
shared in the labour of construction. It was situated in the tri-
furcated stalk of that plant which bears a clover-like blossom (called
Kessara-Hind and Ivoordoo-Mhar), about 3 feet above the ground,
the stalks passing through the side-walls of the nest, which cannot
have a better description than that given by Mr. Hunie (page 238,
6 Rough Draft'). The first egg was laid on 2nd October, and
another each succeeding day until there were five. On the 10th
the hen-bird was shot and the nest taken.

" On 30th October, in a garden near the same place, another
nest was found, on the twigs of a pangra tree, containing three
young birds and one egg."

Messrs. Davidson and Wenden say:—"Tolerably common in
the Sholapoor District; more so in the better-wooded parts, and
breeds."

Finally, Colonel Butler sends me the following note:—

" Belgaum, 14th September, 1880.—A nest in sugar-cane about
2 feet from the ground, containing five fresh eggs. 17th September :
another nest in a sugar-cane field, containing five eggs about to
hatch. In both instances the nest was built, not on the blades of
sugar-cane, but on a solitary green-leaved weedy-looking plant
growing amongst the sugar-cane.

" The Yellow-eyed Babbler breeds during the rains. I have
taken nests on the following dates:—

" July 26, 1875. A nest containing 4 fresh eggs.

" July 30, 1875. „ „ 3 fresh eggs.

" Aug. 14, 1875. „ „ 4 fresh eggs.

" Aug. 21, 1875. „ „ 4 fresh eggs.

"July 18, 1876. „ „ 4 fresh eggs.

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