74 CBATBEOPODIDiE, 



build on, and the nest is usually from 8 feet to 20 feet from the 

 ground. 



" Even in the nesting-season these birds are gregarious, joining 

 a flock generally as soon as they leave the nest." 



The eggs of this species do not appear to me to differ perceptibly 

 from those of CWiteropus canorus. When one first takes a nest or 

 two of each of them, one is apt to draw distinctions and fancy that 

 the eggs of the two species can be discriminated ; but after taking 

 forty or fifty nests of each species, it becomes obvious that there 

 is no variety of the one in either colour, shape, or size that cannot 

 be paralleled in the other. All I have said of the eggs of C. canorvs 

 is applicable to the eggs of tliis species, and the only differ- 

 ence that, with a huge series of each before me, I can discover is 

 that, as a body, there is less variation in the colour of the eggs of 

 Arf/ijn maJcohni than in those of C canorus. 



in length they vary from 0-88 to 1-1, and in breadth from 0*73 

 to 0-85 ; but the average of fifty eggs measured is U-99 by 0*77. 



108. Argya snbrufa (Jerd.) *. The Large liafous Babbler. 

 Layardia suhrufa (Jerd.), Ilinnc, Cat. no. 437. 



The nest is a deep massive cup placed in the fork of twigs, 

 coarsely and roughly but still strongly built. The body of the 

 nest is chiefly composed of leaves, some of which mi;st have been 

 green when used. Outside, the leaves are held in position by 

 blades of grass, creepers, and stems of herbaceous plants, carelessly 

 and roughly wound about the e.vterior. The cavity is rather more 

 neatly lined \^ith tolerably flue grass-bents. Exteriorly the nest 

 is about 7 inches in height and 5 in diameter. The cavity is about 

 3| inches deep by 3 in diameter. 



The eggs are precisely like those of the several species of Arr/ya, 

 moderately broad ovals rather obtuse at both ends, often Mith a 

 pyriform tendency. The colour is a uniform spotless clear blue 

 with a faint greenish tinge, and the eggs have usually a fine gloss. 

 The eggs measure 0*98 by 0'75. 



110. Crateropus canorus (Linn.) f. The Juwjle BahUer. 



Malacocercus terricolor (Hod'js.), Jerd. B. Ind. ii, p. 59 ; Hume, Jiovf/h 



Draft N. c^' K no. 432. 

 Malacocercus nialabaricus, Jerd., Jerd. t. e. p. G2 ; Hume, t. c. no. 434. 



C. terricolor. 

 The Bengal Babbler breeds throughout the plains of the Bengal 



* The aecoinpanyiiig ineoniplete account of the nidifimtion of tliis bird is 

 all I can find among ]Vir. Hume's noteg. I cannot ascertain who was the dis- 

 coverer of tlie nest and eggs described. — Ed. 



t Tn the ' Birds of India,' I have united C. malaharicns and C. terricolor. 

 Mr. Hume jn-obably still considers these two races distinct, and others may agree 

 with him. To a\oid confusion, therefore, I liavc kept the notes appertaining to 

 these two races di&tinct from each other. — Ed. 



