152 JOURNAL, BOMBAY <XATCRAL HISTORY SOCIETY, 1891. 



They form small colonies generally by themselves, occasionally 

 associated with other species. 



The nests, made of sticks and twigs, are moderately sized plat- 

 forms having a central depression, and are placed in high trees. 



The eggs, two to four in number, are subject to much variation, 

 size and shape, but are typically elongated ovals. Mr. Hume says 

 (hat his longest egg measured 2*82 inches, the shortest 2'1 ; the 

 broadest was 1'82, the narrowest 1*5, and that the average of over 

 one hundred eggs was 2'54 inches by T7. 



When fresh laid they are delicate bluish or greenish-white, but 

 soon become soiled ; most of the eggs are plain, but some are spot led 

 Wiitii yellowish-brown. 



Sitid, Eastern Narra, October to December. S. B. Doig. 



942. THE BLACK IBIS. 



Inoeotis papillosus, Tern. 



The Black or "Warty-headed Ibis is a common permanent resident 

 in most parts of Western India; it does not occur in Ratnagiri or 

 the more southern portion of the district generally. 



It is often called the King Curlew. 



The nests are as a rule solitary, but occasionally two or three will 

 be found in close proximity ; it is placed as a rule in a fork near the 

 top of a high tree, and is composed of twigs and sticks, and the egg 

 cavity, which is often three inches deep, is lined with fine twigs and 

 straw. Sometimes they take possession of an old nest of the Fishing 

 Eagle or King Vulture. 



The eggs, three or four in number, are usually moderately long 

 ovals in shape, more or less compressed at one end ; they are . subject 

 to much variation in size, but the average is 2*43 inches in length 

 bv about 1*7 in width. 



In colour they are deep sea-green, as a rule unspotted, but 

 occasionally they are thinly specked and streaked with brown or 

 3 (llowish -brown. 



I am inclined to believe that they have two broods in the year. 



Sholapur, November and December. J. Davidson, C.S. 



Jjeesa, October. II, E. ttarr)t> 



Sind, Eastern Narra, June to October. <S'. B. Doig. 



