rxops. — SIVA. 



137 



Other eggs obtained by Mr. Mandelli early in June are quite of 

 the same type, but somewhat shorter, measuring 0-85 and 0-93 in 

 length by 6-68 and 07 in breadth. But the markings are rather 

 more smudgy and rather paler, and there are fewer of the hair- 

 like streaks and hieroglyphics. 



213. Ixops nepalensis (Hodgs.). The Hoary Bar-wing. 

 Actinodura nipalensis (Hod(/s.),Jerd. B.Ind.W, p. r>3; Hume, Row/h 

 Draft N. S,- E. no. 428. 



The Hoary Bar-wing is said in Mr. Hodgson's notes to breed 

 from April to June in Sikhim and the central region of Nepal up 

 to an elevation of 4000 or OOOO feet. The nest is placed in holes, 

 in crevices between rocks and stones; is circular and saucer- 

 shaped. One measured externally 3-02 in diameter by 2 inches in 

 height ; the cavity measured 2-5 in diameter and 1-37 in depth. 

 The nest is composed of fine twigs, grass, and fibres, and externally 

 adorned with little pieces of lichen, and internally lined with fine 

 moss-roots. The birds are said to lay from three to four eggs, 

 which are not described, but they are figured as pinky white, about 

 0-85 in length and 0-55 in width. Mr. Blyth, however, remarks :_— 

 "One of Mr. Hodgson's drawings represents a white egg with 

 ferruginous spots, disposed much as in that of Merida vulgaris." 



Clearly there is some mistake here. Most of the drawings I 

 have are' the originals, taken from the fresh specimens when they 

 were obtained, with Mr. Hodgson's own notes, on the reverse, of 

 the dates on and places at which he took or obtained the eggs, 

 nests, and birds figured, with often a description and dimensions 

 of the two former, and invariably full dimensions of the latter. On 

 the other hand, the drawings in the British Museum are mostly 

 more finished and artistic copies of these originals ; so how the 

 spots got on to the eggs of the British-Museum drawing I cannot 

 say ; there is no trace of such in mine. 



219. Siva strigula, Hodgs. The Strixu-throated Siva. 

 Siva strioula, Hudi/s., Jerd. B. hid. ii, p. 252 ; Htime, Roucjh Draft 

 N. Sf E. no. 616. 



The nest of the Stripe-throated Siva is placed, accordhig to 

 Mr. Hodgson, in the slender fork of a tree at no great elevation 

 from the ground. It is composed of moss and moss-roots, inter- 

 mino-led w'^ith dry bamboo-leaves, and woven into a broad compact 

 cup-'sbaped nest." One such nest, taken on the 27th May, with 

 three eggs in it, measured exteriorly 4-25 in diameter and 3 niches 

 in beic^fit, with a cavitv (thickly lined with cow's hair) about 2-5 in 

 diameter and 2-25 in* depth. The birds lay in May aud June. 

 The eggs are three or sometimes four in number ; they are pale 

 greenish blue or bluish green, aud vary in length from 0-8 to 0-9, 

 and in breadth from 06 to 0-G5, and are, some thickly, some thinly, 



