Mr. R. B. Sharpe on Birds from Fao. 479 



In 1883^ first eggs were brought by an Arab about the 

 13th of June, and on the 15th of the same month I found a 

 nest containing two fresh eggs. In 1884, on the 14th of 

 June, a nest was brought me containing four fresh eggs, and 

 on the 15th I found a nest containing also four fresh eggs. 



2nd July, I came across four young birds able to fly. On 

 the 3rd, three nests were brought, one containing two fresh 

 eggs, another three young just fledged, and the other four 

 eggs slightly incubated. On the 9th another nest, containing 

 four young just fledged, was brought. On the 15th I saw a 

 flock of small birds well able to fly; on the 18tli I found a 

 nest containing four young about a couple of days old, and 

 on the 20th a nest containing three eggs well incubated 

 was brought from a place called " Goosba " on the opposite 

 bank (Persian side) of the river. 



The nests are generally placed on the leaves of the date- 

 palm, at no very great height. The highest I have seen was 

 built about ten feet from the ground, but from three to five 

 feet is the average height. 



They are substantial and cup-shaped, having a diameter of 

 about 3:1 inches by 2| inches in depth, lined inside with fine 

 grass, the soft fluff from the willow when in seed, wool, and 

 sometimes hair. 



The eggs are of a glossy leaden white, with leaden-coloured 

 blotches and spots towards the larger end, sometimes forming 

 a ring round the larger end, and at times spreading over the 

 entire egg. 



On rare occasions I have noticed a greenish tinge in very 

 fresh eggs. This, I think, is due to the colour of the inner 

 membrane, which is generally a very light green, in some 

 very faint and in others more decided ; this tinge seems to 

 disappear after the egg is blown. 



Very rough measurements are as follows : — 0"'9 x 0"*63 ; 

 0"-83x0"-63; 0"-83xO"-6; 0"-83x0"-66; 0"-86xO"-66. 



In 1883 I managed to rear a young bird, feeding it on 

 bread steeped in water and lots of flies. 



It used to fly about my room and the verandah, but 

 always came to me when I showed it a fly. Unfortunately, 



