900 DICBITRIDJE.

somewhat glossy, warm pinky-grounded one, with numerous well-
marked spots and specks oŁ maroon colour, dull-red, and red-bro\vn
or even dusky, every possible gradation is found. Eacli set ol
ego-s, however, seems to be invariably of the same type, and we
have never yet found a quite white and a well coloured aucl marked
egg in the same nest.

" These birds are very jealous of the approach of other birds
even of their own species to a nest in which they have eggs, and
many a little family would this year have been safely reared, and
their ovate cradles have escaped the plundering bauds of my shi-
karies, had not attention been invariably called to the whereabouts
of the nest by the pertinacious and vicious rushes of one or other
of the parents from near their nest at every feathered thing that.
passed them by."

Captain Hutton says:—" This species, which appears to be gene-
rally diffused throughout India, is not uncommon in the Dehra
Doo'n, but does not ascend the hills ; it breeds in June, lay ing four
eggs of somewhat variable size. They are pure white, thus differing
widely from those of the supposed D. lonyicaudcitus of Mussoorie.

"It is evident likewise that the eggs which Captain Tiekell
assigns to this species do not belong to it. (Vide Journal As.
Soc. vol. xvii. p. 304.)

" The nest differs from that of our hill species, being larger and
far less neatly made; it is placed in the bifurcation of the smaller
branches of a tall tree, and is composed exteriorly of the hard
semi-woody stalks of various plants, plastered over with cobwebs.
Another one was constructed entirely of fine roots, like the khus-
khus used for tatties, and plastered over like the former with cob-
webs. It is flattened or saucer-shaped, and about f> inches in
diameter."

Mr. F. B. Blewitt remarks:—" It breeds from the middle of
May well into August. I do not think it has two broods in the
year, at least close observation has not proved the fact. Tries of
various sizes are chosen indiscriminately for the nest, from the lofty
mango and tamarind to the low-growing roonji, <fec.

" The nest is a peculiarly slight-formed structure (occasionally I
have seen it otherwise, but this is the exception), always neatly
made. The exterior of the nest is composed of small fine twigs,
roots, and grass, with generally a good deal of spider's web round
the outer surface. The average exterior diameter of the nest is
about 5-5 inches, The cavity is frequently lined with horsehair.
On three or four occasions I have seen very fine khus substituted
tor the hair. The average inner diameter of the nest is about *4
inches.

"The regular number of eggs is four; in colour they are a Mil
reddish white, with a few spots or blotches, here and there ol a
purplish red or red-brown. The eggs often differ much in size

' 1 happened to find in one nest two eggs, one of the usual size,
the other only about one third of the size. What is more sur-
prising, it was perfectly formed, as regards' the white and yolk.