NESTING IN WESTERN INDIA. 247 



An egg hi my collection measures 0'9 inches in length by 0'63 

 in breadth. 



The ground is a dull dead white, thickly speckled and spotted 

 with purplish and blackish-brown. 



441.— THE GRASS BABBLER. 



Chcetornis striatus, Jerd. 



The Grass Babbler is not uncommon in Nothern Gujerat and in 

 some purts of Central India. It breeds during the rains, making 

 a i-ouudish nest having the entrance hole near the top. It is com- 

 posed of dry grass, and is placed on the ground in the centre of a 

 low bush. 



The eggs, four in number, are white in colour, speckled all over 

 with reddish-brown and pale lavender. These spots are much 

 more dense at the larger end, where they form a cap. 



They much resemble eggs of Franklinia huchanani, but are much 

 larger, equalling those of the Striated Bush Babbler. 



Deesa, 18th August. Cap . Butler. 



Deesa, 4th September (nestlings) . H. E. Barnes. 



442.— THE BROAD-TAILED REED-BIRD. 



Schamicola platyuras, Jerd. 



The Broad-tailed Reed-Bird is very rare. Capt. Butler found it 

 breeding in September at Belgaum. The nests were in long grass 

 by the side of rice fields, but unfortunately he does not describe 

 either the nests or eggs. 



443. -THE LONG-TAILED REED-BIRD. 



Laticilla buniesi, Blyth. 



The Long-tailed Reed-Bird is very numerous in the Eastern 

 Narra District and some other suitable places in Sind, but has not 

 been recorded from any other part of the Western Presidency. 



Mr. Doig appears to be the only oologist who has as yet taken 

 the eggs. 



He found them breeding in March, June, and September, and 

 describes the nest as being composed of coarse grass lined with fine 

 grass and roots, and measuring four to five inches in diameter 

 externally and two and a half internally, the egg cavity being one 

 and a half inches deep. The nest is placed in the centre of a tussock 

 of grass. The usual number of eggs is three, aud they average 0'72 



