birds' nesting in RAJPOOTANA. 57 



827. — Perdicula argoondah : Sykes. 



The Rock Bush Quail breeds from August to December. They may 

 commence earlier, but I have only found eggs in the months men- 

 tioned. The nest is placed in the ground generally under a clump of 

 grass or shrub, and is composed of a few blades of grass. The eggs, 

 six or seven in number, are much like those of the Grey Partridge, 

 but are much smaller. They measure 1 inch in length by about 0*82 

 in breadth. 



836. — Eupodotis edwardsi : Gray. 



The Indian Bustard is fairly common at Neemuch. I have an egg 

 that was found on the bare ground under a tuft of Sarpat grass in 

 July. This egg is of a dark olive brown colour, with a few streaks and 

 smudges of a darker shade. It measures 3'1 inches in length by 

 2*25 in breadth. 



839. — Sypheotides aurita : Lath. 



The Likh or Lesser Florican does not breed until the rains have 

 well set in, that is, not until September and October. There is no 

 nest ; the eggs, three or four in number, being deposited on the bare 

 ground, under cover of a stunted bush or tussock of grass. They are 

 broad oval in shape, and are of an olive green colour with reddish 

 brown streaks and smudges. They measure 1*9 inches in length by 

 1*6 in breadth. 



840. — Cursorins coromandelicus : Gm, 

 The Indian Courser or Courier Plover breeds during March and 

 April. There is no nest. The eggs, two or three in number, are 

 deposited on the bare ground, under shelter afforded by a clod of 

 earth or tussock of grass. Owing to their colour assimilating so closely 

 to the ground on which they are placed, they are very difficult to 

 find. The eggs are nearly spherical in shape, and are of a yellowish 

 stone colour, closely spotted, speckled and lined with blackish brown? 

 and having a few underlying clouds or smudges of pale inky grey. 

 They measure 1*2 inches in length by 0'98 in breadth. 



850. — JEijialitis minutus : Pall. 

 The Lesser Ringed Plover breeds abundantly during March and 

 April. There is no nest. The eggs, three in number, are placed on 

 the sand, in the bed of a river ; they are broad oval in shape, much 

 pointed at one end, and are of a yellowish stone colour, thinly lined 

 and spotted with blackish brown. They measure 1*2 inches in length 

 by about 0-83 in breadth. 



