NESTIM; IN WESTERN INDIA. 151 



as a genera] rule, as the breeding season draws near, they assemble 

 together and form immense colonies. 



The nests, which are placed on high trees, are large stick platforms 

 two or three feet in diameter. 



The eggs, four or five in number, vary much in size and shape, 

 but typical!}- they are elongated ovals, much pointed at one end ; 



ey average 2*7 inches in length by 1*81 in breadth. In texture 

 they are rather coarse and slightly chalky ; when fresh the ground- 

 colour is a glossless white, but gets soiled as incubation proceeds. The 

 markings are usually scanty and almost confined to the large end. 

 They are ill-defined and consist of smudgy spots and blotches of a 

 dingy yellowish-brown or rusty-red colour ; occasionally they are 

 bright or reddish-brown, rarely almost black. 



iSi.iul, Eastern Narra, October and November. §. B. Dohj. 



940. THE SHELL IBIS. 



Anastomus oscitans, Bodd. 



The Shell Ibis appears to be not very common, and does not, I 

 believe, occur at all in Kanara and Ratnagiri. They are more com- 

 mon in Sind when they breed. 



They form large colonies, placing their nests, which are large 

 stick platforms as a rule, on the topmost branches of high trees, but 

 in Sind they breed in thickets, and the nests are only a few feet above 

 the water. 



The eggs, four or five in number, are usually oval in shape, but 

 are subject to variation. When first laid they are spotless creamy- 

 white, but as incubation proceeds they turn to a dull earthy or 

 yellowish-brown. The texture is smooth and close. They average 

 about 2 24 inches in length by 1*6 in breadth. 



Sina, Eastern Narra, October and November. S. B. Doig. 



941. THE WHITE IBIS. 



Ibis melanocephala, Lath. 



The White Ibis is fairly common in suitable localities in all parts 

 of the Presidency, and is probably more or less a permanent resident 

 where they occur. 



