NESTING IN WESTERN INDIA. 91 



270.-THE LARGE CUCKOO SHRIKE. 



Graucalus macii, Less. 



The large Cuckoo Shrike is rare in the northern portion of the 

 Presidency, but is more common towards the south. It breeds at 

 various seasons in different parts of the country, and may perhaps 

 have two broods in the year. The nest is placed high up in a thick 

 fork, or on a horizontal branch in a lofty tree, and is of a shallow 

 cup shape, composed of thin twigs, grass bents and moss, bound 

 together with spider webs. The eggs, two or three (often only 

 one) in number, are longish ovals, of a pale- greenish stone colour, 

 streaked, spotted, and blotched with brown, with underlying clouds, 

 of pale inky-purple. They average 1'22 inches in length by 0'9 

 in breadth. 



S. Konkan, February and March. G. Vidal, C.S. 



Saugor, C. P., May to August. H. E. Barnes. 



Baroda, August to October. H. Littledale, Esq. 



Nassick, May. J- Davidson, C.S. 



Khandesh, August. ss 



272.— THE ORANGE MINIVET. 



Pericrocotus jlammeus, Forst. 



The Orange Minivet is a permanent resident, and is not uncom- 

 mon, all along the Sahyadri range, from the extreme south of the 

 Presidency, to as far north as the hills in Khandesh. It does not 

 occur in the plains. 



It breeds during June, July, and August, making a small compact 

 nest, composed of fine twigs and grass roots, covered on the exterior 

 with small lichens ; it is neatly and compactly built. It is a difficult 

 nest to find, being placed in a fork in a slender bough, at some 

 height from the ground. I have been unable to procure any eggs, 

 as the only nest I have ever found was unfinished. I intended 

 returning a week or so later, but was prevented by illness. The eggs 

 a,re said to be of a pale-greenish ground colour, streaked and spotted 

 with yellowish-brown. 



Khandalla, 3)st July. H. E. Barnes. 



276.— THE SMALL MINIVET. 



Pericrocotus peregrinus, Lin. 

 The small Minivet is generally distributed throughout Western 

 India, whei'ever there are high trees. It is a permanent resident, 

 breeding at the commencent of the rains, 

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