64 



BIRDS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE. 



less lustrous than his. Length, 18 inches, of which the tail 

 measures 10. 



The nest is built in tall trees, and, failing these, in 

 bushe.s. It is made of twigs and domed with thorns ; it 



«i: 



has t^YO openings opposite to each other, from one end of 

 which may be seen projecting the bill and from the other 

 the tail of the owner. 



The eggs are four or five in number (Morris again says 

 seven or eight !), and of a pale greenish colour, spotted with 



