NESTING IN WESTERN INDIA. 97 



in diameter, and rather more than an inch in depth. It is rarely- 

 more than one-quarter of an inch thick. It is generally composed 

 of fine grass and vegetable fibres, coated on the outside with spider 

 webs. After their eggs are laid, these little birds become very 

 courageous, darting out and attacking any birds that approaches the 

 nest, no matter how large. The eggs, three in number, are broad 

 ovals in shape, and vary from white to dingy creamy-white or 

 pale-yellowish-brown in colour, with a belt of greyish-brown 

 and faint inky-purple spots round the large end. They average 0*66 

 inches in length by 0*5 in breadth. 



Neemiich, February to August, H. E. Barnes. 



Too common to need further details. 



293.— THE WHITE-SPOTTED FANTAIL FLYCATCHER. 



Leucocerca leucogaster , Cuv. 



The White-spotted Fantail Flycatcher is found in various parts 

 of the Deccan, and is very common in the neighbourhood of Bombay, 

 also at Ratnagiri, and again at Abu. Generally speaking, this bird 

 replaces the preceding in hilly and well-wooded tracts. It has not 

 been recorded from Sind. It is a permanent resident, breeding from 

 March to July and even later. The nest is placed in a fork, in 

 some low thick bush, generally a couranda or in a mango or other 

 tree, at some height from the ground. The nest is composed of the 

 same materials as the last, and resembles it in appearance, but a few 

 straws are left hanging from the bottom, giving the nest an un- 

 finished appearance. The eggs, three in number, are broad ovals in 

 shape, of a ibuffy-white colour, with a zone of lavender and brown- 

 ish spots towards the larger end. They measure 0*67 inches in 

 length by about 0*52 in breadth, but are subject to much variation. 



Abu, March and April. H. E. Barnes. 



Bombay, March to July. 



Baroda, July. H. Littledale, Esq. 



Khandesh, May to July. J. Davidson, C. S. 



Nassick, June to July. 



Satara, June. 



306.— TICKELL'S BLUE REDBREAST. 



Cyornis tickelli, Bly. 

 TickelPs Blue Redbreast does not occur in Sind, but has been 

 recorded as more or less rare from all other portions of our district. 



