322 LA.NIIBJE.

The same pair of birds built another nest a few days later, on 18th
July, within ten yards of the tree from which the other nest was
taken, laying five eggs.

" I found other nests at Deesa on the following dates:—
" July 2nd. A nest containing 4 incubated eggs.
7th. ,, 2 fresh eggs.

4

8th.

9th.
10th,
10th,
Aug. 9th.

2
5
4
3

" I found many other nests in the same neighbourhood contain-
ing young birds during the last week of July."

Regarding the Rufous-backed Shrike, Mr. Benjamin Aitken has
sent me the subjoined interesting note:—" This Shrike makes its
appearance in Bombay regularly during the last week of September,
and announces its arrival by loud cries for the first few days, till
it? has made itself at home in the new neighbourhood ; after which
it spends nearly the whole of its days on a favourite perch, darting
down on every insect that appears within a radius of thirty yards.
It pursues this occupation with a system and perseverance to
which L. lahtora makes but a small approach. When its stomach
is full, it enlivens the weary hours with the nearest semblance to
a song of which its vocal organs are capable; for while many
human bipeds have a good voice but no ear, the L. erythronotus
has an exeellept ear but a voice that no modulation will make
tolerable. It remains in Bombay till towards the end of February,
a Aid then suddenly becomes restless and quarrelsome, making as
much ado as the Koel in June, and then taking its departure, for
what part of the world I do not know. This I know, that from
March to August there is never a Rufous-backed Shrike in
Bombay.

"The Rufous-backed Shrike, though not so large as the Grey
Shrike, is a much bolder and fiercer bird. It will come down at
once to a cage of small birds exposed at a window, and I once had
an Amadavat killed and partly eaten through the wires by one of
these Shrikes, which I saw in the act with my own eyes. The
next day I caught the Shrike in a large basket which I set over
the cage of Amadavats. On another occasion I exposed a rat in a
cage for the purpose of attracting a Hawk, and in a few minutes
found a L. erythronotus fiercely attacking the cage on all sides. I
once caught one alive and kept it for some time. As soon as it
found itself safely enclosed in the cage, it scorned to show any
fear, and the third day took food from my hand. It was very
fond of bathing, and was a handsome and interesting pet."

Messrs. Davidson and "Wenden remark:—" Very common in
Satara; breeding freely in beginning of the rains ; observed at
Lanoli. Bare in the Sholapoor District and does not appear to
breed there." And the former gentleman, writing of Western