94 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 



never to descend to the plains. It is said to be a permanent 

 resident in the Ghats, but I can find no record of a nest having been 

 found within our limits. Elsewhere thej breed about March, 

 making a broad saucer-shaped nest, composed of fine twigs and 

 grass, which is placed in a slender horizontal fork, to which it is 

 attached by vegetable fibres and cobwebs ; pieces of lichens and 

 small cocoons are often used to ornament the nest. The eggs, three 

 or four in number, are obtuse ovals in shape, of a fawnish-white 

 ground colour, blotched with fawn and reddish-brown, principally 

 at the larger end ; occasionally they are white, with a few reddish- 

 brown specks. They average 0*91 inches in length by about 

 0'6o in breadth. 



285.— THE MALABAR RACKET-TAILED DRONGO. 



Dissemurus paradiseus. Scop. 



The following note from Mr. Davidson, C. S., is all the informa- 

 tion I can collect regarding the nidification of this handsome bird : 

 " This is a forest bird, very common in the forests of Xanara and 

 in the Dangs (the hilly country west of Nassick). I have noticed it 

 also in the cold weather in the plains- forest near Taloda, in West 

 Khandesh. It makes a largish nest near the top of a high tree 

 in jungle, and lays two or three eggs, of the same type as those of 

 Buchanga longicauda, but larger and much more highly coloured, 

 some specimens being blotched all over with purple and pink of 

 various shades *' 



Dangs, W. Nassick, May and early in June. J. Davidson, C,8. 



Ka-nara, May. „ 



287.— THE ASHY SWALLOW SHRIKE. 



Artamus fuscus, Vieill. 



The Ashy Swallow Shriko has been recorded by Mr. Vidai from 

 Ratnagiri. He remarks : " Not uncommon in the cocoanut gardens." 

 Mr. Davidson found it to be common in the cocoanut gardens in 

 Kanara, and also in the Panchmahals, in Gujarat. I procured it at 

 Elephanta in May, where it was breeding. The first nest I found was 

 situated in the crown of a palmyra between the leaf stems ; another 

 was in a hole, half way up a palm tree. I was unable to climb the tree 

 myself, and unfortunately could not induce anyone else to do so. 

 A specimen I shot had the testes very much enlarged, so this must be 

 the breeding season. 



