birds' nesting in rajpootana. 59 



are much smaller, only measuring 1*45 inches in length by 1*06 

 in breadth. 



862. — Grus anti-gone : Lin. 

 The Sarus breeds freely during August and September, but I 

 found two fresh eggs in February while duck shooting and two 

 incubated in March, probably both these clutches belonged to 

 birds that had had their first eggs accidentally destroyed. The eggs, 

 two in number, are of an elongated oval shape, pointed at one 

 end. They vary in colour, but are generally creamy white, 

 more or less spotted and blotched with pale yellowish-brown and 

 purplish-pink. They measure 3*9 inches in length by 2'55 in 

 breadth. 



873. — Rhynchcm bengalensis: Lin. 

 I f -unci the Painted Snipe breeding in May. It probably breeds 

 both earlier and later than this, but this was the only month in 

 which I obtained eggs. They are broadish oval in shape, pinched 

 in at one end, and are of a buffy colour, blotched and streaked with 

 rich black brown. They measure 1*4 inches in length by 1 in 

 breadth- 



900. — Metapodius indica : Lath. 



The Bronze-winged Jacana breeds during July and August, 

 making a floating nest of weeds. The eggs (I never found more 

 than four but then they were all fresh), are broad ovals, pointed 

 at one end, and are generally of a rich cafe-au-lait colour, but are 

 subject to considerable variation. One clutch I have is a dark olive 

 brown, while another is a very pale stone brown. The eggs of this 

 last clutch are abnormally small. The markings, consisting of a 

 network of entangled lines, are very deep blackish brown. The 

 eggs are highly glossy, and measure 1'47 inches in length by 1*02 in 

 breadth. 



901. — Hydrophasianus chirargus: Scop. 



The Pheasant-tailed Jacana breeds during August and September. 

 The nest is a floating one, composed of grass and aquatic plants. 

 The eggs, four in number, are peg-top shaped, and are of a glossy 

 rufous or greenish bronze. They measure 1*46 inches in length by 

 about 1*1 inch in breadth. 



902. — Porphgrio Poliocephalus : Lath. 



The Purple Coot breeds during September. The nests, built of 

 rushes and reeds, are floating but not free, and occasionally they rest 

 upon the ground. The eggs, seven or eight in number, are broadish 



