NESIING IN WESTERN INDIA. 3 



There is no nest. The eggs are laid on the bare ground, in a 

 cavity or enlargement at the cud of the bole- They are usually 

 •four in number, but sometimes six or seven are fouud. Tkcy arc 

 almost spherical in shape, measuring 0*73 inches in length by 0*7 in 

 breadth, In colour they are milk-white, and are brilliantly glossy 

 when fresh. They seem to lay their eggs at intervals, as very often 

 fresh and incubated eggs or nestlings are found in the same nest. 



118.— THE BLUE-TAILED BEE-EATER, 



Merofs philippinus } Lin. 



The Blue-tailed Bee-eater occurs sparingly throughout tho 

 district, but appears to be more common in Gujarat, where it breeds 

 during the hot weather in holes in the banks of rivers.* They also 

 breed in Khandcsh, making their n st-holes in the face of the 

 Satpooras early in Ma}-. 



The eirgfs are similar to those of the Common Indian Bee-eater 

 Imt are larger, measuring 0'-8S inches in length by 0*76 in breadth, 



Baroda, May. It- Littledale, Esq. 



E. Narra (Sind), July. 8. Boig, Esq. 



Khaiidesh, May. J. Davidson^ C.S. 



123.— THE INDIAN ROLLER. 



Coracias Tudica, Lin. 



The Indian Roller, more commonly known as the Blue Jay, is 

 abundant throughout the greater part of the district. It is a per- 

 manent resident as a rule, but in some localities retires to the better 

 wooded tracts to breed. 



They build in holes in trees, in walls, under caves of houses, 

 &c. The nest is a mere collection of rubbish, such as rags, fibres, 

 tow, &c, thrown together anyhow. The eggs, four in number, 

 are glossy china- white, of a broad oval shape, occasionally almost 

 spherical. They measure 1*3 inches in length by rather more than 

 an inch in breadth. 



The nesting season extends from April to July, but May and Juno 

 are the months in which most eggs are laid. 



Mr. Davidson has kindly furnished mo with the following note : 

 In the Satara, Poona, and Nassick ghats they arc apparently absent 

 during the hot weather, but breed abundantly in the Satpooras. 



*Vide B. N. II. S. Journal, p. 32, No. 2, Vol. I. 



