256 JO URNAL, BOMB A Y NATURAL HISTOR Y SOCIETY, Vol. XV, 



sienna. The eggs are often elongated. The shell is slightly glossy, 

 and fine for the size of the bird. Avorage size is l'40xl'04." I have 

 taken the eggs as early as February in the Public Gardens, Trevan- 

 drunij where the towers of tbo museum are a favourite site for nests. 

 (3) Dendrocitta rufa. — The Indian Tree-pie. 

 Oates, No. 16 ; Jerdon, No. 674. 

 The Indian Tree-pie, though common in the low country, does not 

 seem to be so bold a bird hero as it is described to be in North India. 

 It frequents gardens, but I have never known it to enter a verandah 

 of a house. It breeds during the South- West monsoon. It does not 

 ascend the hills. 



(4) Dendrocitta leucogastra. — The Southern Tree-pie. 

 Oates, No. 17 ; Jerdon, No. 678. 

 This very handsome bird occurs in numbers from the foot of the 

 hills to about 3,000 feet always in forest, going about in parties of 

 three or four, which make their presence known by their ■ noisy cries. 

 "Its eggs may be obtained in March and the beginning of April at 

 elevations of 2,000 to 3,000 feet above sea-level. The nest is small for 

 so large a bird, and is not domed ; the interior diameter is 3 inches or so. 

 It is placed at 12 — 15 feet from the ground, usually in thick forest, 

 sometimes on a sapling, sometimes in a larger tree. Three seems to be 

 the usual number of eggs, cream-white in colour, profusely speckled 

 and blotched with ashy and yellowish-brown markings, more abundantly 

 towards the larger end ; the shell is glossy and fine." — T. F. B. 

 Average of 3 eggs 1*13 X 0*85. 



Sub-family Parinm. 

 (5) Parus atriceps. — The Indian Grey Tit. 

 Oates, No. 31 ; Jerdon, No. 645. 

 The Indian Grey Tit is said to be found throughout tho whole of 

 India alike in tho hills and plains. In Travancore it is never to be 

 seen in the plains. It is occasionally to be met with at the foot of 

 the hills, and is not uncommon at the higher elevations, especially about 

 3,000 feet, and I have shot it on the high range at 6,000 feet. " It 

 wanders about in small parties of four or five individuals." — F. W, B. 

 (6) Maololophus haplonotus. — The Southern Yellow Tit. 

 Oates, No. 43 ; Jerdon, No. 648. 

 This tit is abundant from about 3,000 feet to the summit of the hills. 

 Mr. F. AV. Bourdillon says " it is often found in company with the 

 foregoing," i.e., Parus atriceps. 



