730 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XVI. 



spring, showing ;i partiality for the shade and coolness of lucerne fields. Uc 

 the liJth May I came on several nearly completed nests, and on the 14th took 

 some 14 containing 4 fresh eggs each, except in one or two instances when 

 there were 5. The breeding ground was a field of lucerne hedged round by 

 thick rose bushes, in the forks of which the nests were situated and although well 

 concealed by the thick foliage, by parting this the nests are easily seen. These 

 .ire compact cup-shaped little structures, consisting of sticks, grass, roots and 

 fibres, warmly lined with wool, hair and such like soft material, while a few 

 contained feathers. I found most of the nests in the rose hedges on the 

 northern and Fouthern borders ; this, I think, is due to the fact that the 

 eastern and western run parallel and close to a railway and road respectively 

 and are consequently more liable to disturbance. After this haul I took no 

 more. 



Snxicola picata (The Pied Chat). Fairly common I only succeeded in 

 finding two or three nests late in May and early in June with young. The 

 nesting sites and nests are very similar to those selected by the Indian Black 

 and Brown-backed Kobins (Thamnobia fulicata and cambaiensis) , viz., in holes 

 in walls, under the eaves of houses and among rafters. I thought I was sure 

 to come on many, so did not bother about them. I shall pay them more atten- 

 tion next year. 



Pratincola caprata (The Common Pied Bush-Chat) is quite common, but 

 as I have obtained their eggs in India, I have not troubled over them, although 

 I have come on a nest or two. 



Anthus similis (The Bkown Bock-Pipit). This bird seems common at the 

 foot of the hills round Quetta. On the 13th July I found two nests, one 

 situated in a small bush, well built and concealed, very lark-like, which con- 

 tained 3 eggs just hatching, the other was rather untidy, built under a 

 projecting rock, with no cover. This was being built, so I hoped to get a 

 good clutch. On visiting it a week later, to my disappointment I found it 

 deserted. I hope to do better next year. 



Lanius erythronotus (The Rufous-backed Shrike) is common and breeds 

 freely, but as I have their eggs, I have not troubled over them. 



Passer montanus (The Tree-Sparrow). Common and breeds. Habits 

 similar to those of the common sparrow. 



About the middle of May I noticed large flights of the Rose-coloured 

 Starling {Pastor roseus), better known as the ' Jowari Bird,' winging then- 

 way West, morning and afternoon ; during the day they appeared to rest. J 

 never saw one flight going East. I have seen a few stragglers about lately, 

 but I am watching curiously to see whether they will return to India by this 

 route, and when. 



R. M. BETHAM, Major, 



The 101st Grenadiers. 

 Quetta ,>rd August 1905. 



