of certain South- Indian Birds. 315 



8. Megal^ma viridis (Gmelin) . 



Lays three glossy white and rather elongated oval eggs in 

 a tunnel excavated by itself in a decayed branch. In size the 

 egg is 1 inch in length by '58 in breadth. 



9. CoccYSTES JACOBiNus (Bodd.). 



Deposits a single egg of a very brilliant greenish blue, the 

 greenish tinge predominating, in the nest of Malacocercus 

 griseus. Both extremities of the egg are alike in shape. 

 Lays from March to May. Before dropping its own egg it 

 always ejects one of the eggs of the rightful owner. Dimen- 

 sions of an egg 1"81 inch in length by "Si in breadth. 



10. Centropus RUFiPENNis, lUigcr. 



Breeds in dense thorny bushes, building a domed nest with 

 an aperture in the side. The nest is composed of green leaves 

 and twigs carelessly woven together. The eggs are from two 

 to three in number, and of a dull white. They are covered 

 with a chalky epidermis, which, when removed, leaves the 

 shell of a pure white, and not of a beautiful blue as in the 

 case of Crotophaga ani. The dimensions of an egg in my 

 collection are 1'5 inch in length by 1*21 in breadth. 



11. Nectarophila ZEYLONicA (Linuseus). 



This little Sun-bird breeds all over the plains of Southern 

 India. The bird often selects a cobweb in which to build its 

 nest ; and this is so ingeniously built that it is impossible to 

 detect the existence of the nest unless the cobweb is examined. 

 The eggs are two in number, and of a pale greenish white, 

 minutely speckled with dusky grey. Dimensions : "62 inch 

 in length by '46 in breadth. 



12. Arachnechthra asiatica (Latham). 



The purple Honey-sucker builds a nest very similar to the 

 preceding. It breeds both on the plains and in the hills, 

 ascending the Neilgheries to an elevation of 6000 feet. The 

 nest is composed of small twigs, pieces of grass and leaves, 

 and is lined with the down of thistles and silk-cotton. It is 

 generally adorned with the excrement of caterpillars, small 

 bits of rag, paper, &c. A pair that built in front of my office 



