GO NATURAL HISTORY. 



ovals in shape, and are of a pale pinkish stone colour, thickly spotted 

 and blotched with rich red brown and pale purple. They measure 

 1*93 inches in length by about 1*4 in breadth. 



903. — Fulica atra: Lin. 

 I did not succeed in finding a nest of the Common Coot, but a 

 native fisherman, who has often given me information reo-ardino- 

 nests and eggs, and whom I have generally found reliable, reported 

 that he had seen a batch of newly-hatched chicks in April. I was 

 too busy at the time to go out, so could not verify his statement, 

 but suspect that what he saw was a brood of the white-breasted 

 Water Hen. 



907. — Eryihra phamicura: Penn. 

 The White-breasted Water Hen breeds from May to August. 

 All the nests I have found have been placed in the branches of dense 

 bushes or trees close to water. The eggs, four in number, differ 

 much in size, shape and colour. Eggs of the same clutch will even 

 differ. The usual type is creamy white, with'yellowish brown and light 

 red spots and blotches, with apparently underlying markings of pale 

 bluish gray. Some eggs I have are white with scarcely any markings. 

 They are usually broadish oval in shape, and average 1*55 inches in 

 length by about 1'18 in breadth. 



930. — Archola ffrayi : Sykes. 

 The Indian Pond Heron breeds from June to August, generally in 

 small colonies, but isolated nests not unfrequently occur. They are 

 composed of sticks, and are of a platform shape. The eggs, four or 

 five in number, are rather longish ovals, slightly pointed at one end, 

 and are of a deep sea-green colour. They measure 1'48 inches in 

 length by 1*17 in breadth. 



938. — Tantalus leucoeephalus : Gmel. 

 The Pelican Ibis breeds in colonies during March and April; 

 The nests are small, rough platforms, composed of sticks, and 

 are placed high up in lofty trees, often in the vicinity of villages. 

 The eggs (I never found more than four, but they were fresh and 

 probably the birds lay more) are elongated ovals, pointed at one 

 end, and are of a dull unspotted white. They measure 2*77 inches in 

 length by about 1'88 in breadth. 



950. — Sarcidiornis melanonotus : Penn. 

 I have been very unfortunate with the Nukhtah, as I could never 

 obtain an egg, but several times in September I have shot half- 

 fledged young. 



