THE BIRDS OF TRAVANCORE. 453 



They are generally placed low in a bush and contain from 3 — 4 

 glossy bright brick-red eggs, with a zone of darker colour round 

 the top." 



The average size is *58X*49. 



(57) Prinia inornata. — The Indian Wren-warbler. 

 Oates, No. 466 ; Jerdon, No. 543. 

 The Indian Wren-warbler is common in the grass lands at 

 Pirmerd and the High Range, so that the range as given by Oates, 

 viz mi " the whole of India from the Himalayas to the Nilgiri Hills," may 

 be extended so far further south. It is often to be found in company 

 with the next species. 



(58) Prinia jerdoni. — The Southern Wren-warbler. 

 Oates, No. 4G7 ; Jerdon, No, 514. 

 This Wren-warbler is found on the plains and on the hills at all 

 elevations up to 6,000 feet. 



Family LANIIDiE. 



(59) Lanius vittatus,-- The Bay-backed Shrike. 



Oates, No. 473 • Jerdon, No. 260. 



This is one of the birds which are to be found only about Cape 



(Jomorin and not elsewhere in Travancore. I obtained two specimens 



there in December, 1901. 



(60) Lanius erythronotus. — The Rufous-backed Shrike. 

 Oates, No. 476 ; Jerdon, No. 257. 

 This shrike is not uncommon in the plains and also ascends the 

 hills. I have specimens shot in the High Range in February and 

 March, and a pair regularly frequented the garden of the Hill 

 Magistrate at Devicolum on the High Range. 



(61) Lanius cristatus.— The Brown Shrike. 

 Oates, No, 481 ; Jerdon, No. 261. 

 The Brown Shrike is a winter visitor to the hills where it is found 

 from about 2,000 feet upwards. One specimen I had brought to me 

 from the low country in North Travancore in December, 1902, all the 

 others from elevations of over 2,000 feet, and I have shot it on the 

 High Range at 6,000 feet. 



(62) Hemipuh picattjs.— The Black-backed Pied Shrike. 

 Oates, No. 484 ; Jerdon, No. 267. 

 Mr. F. W. Bourdillon says of this : — " Not very abundant ; frequents 

 the tops of trees at the higher elevations." I have seen and shot 



