214 Viscount Walden on the Rufous-tailed Shrikes. 



frontier. According to most of the Indian ornithologists it 

 remains in the plains of India during the cold weather only. 

 Its breeding-home has not as yet been made known. The nests 

 and eggs found by Colonel Tickell (J. A. S. B. 1848, xvii. p. 302. 

 no. 31) in the plains of India during the months of June are 

 said by Dr. Jerdon (/. c.) to have been those of a Bulbul. Dr. 

 F. Buchanan Hamilton, however, distinctly states, in his MS. 

 notes (H. & M., Cat. E. I. Mus. i. p. 168. no. 218), "this Shrike 

 builds its nests in trees and bushes.^' Captain Beavan (/. c.) 

 informs us that it " migrates (from Central India) to the neigh- 

 bourhood of Barrackpore during the cold weather." He pro- 

 cured his first specimen there on the 28th September. He 

 adds that it is not common in Maunbhoom, Central India, Mr. 

 Hodgson (/. c.) merely says that it is confined to the lower re- 

 gions of Nipaul, but neither alludes to its nesting nor its mi- 

 gations. That some individuals remain in the plains through- 

 out the year appears from the statement of Mr. Blyth (/. c), that 

 "a few are found near Calcutta at all seasons." Dr. Jerdon tells 

 us that " it disappears from the south of India in the hot season 

 and rains," but omits to state where to. Mr. Layard also is 

 silent on the point. Does it, then, cross the vast ranges of the 

 Himalaya in its northern migration ? Or does it not rather 

 find on the southern slopes and in the valleys of those moun- 

 tains all the conditions suitable for nesting?"^ 



* It is extremely doubtful whether any passerine bird which frequents 

 the plains of India during the cooler months crosses to the north of the 

 snowy ranges of the Himalaya after quitting the plains to escape the rainy 

 season or the intense heat of summer. I am not aware that one of the 

 Indian passerine species which have recently been identified with Pallas's 

 types have ever been compared with authentic Siberian specimens. 



t Tlie bill is measiu-ed from the nostril to the tip, and its dimensions, 

 with those of the other parts, given in English inches and decimals. 



