456 Letters, Announcements, 8^c. 



limestone, the smaller pieces of which the birds seem to have 

 brought together, and with them to have formed a nest, if it 

 can be so called. As the trolly came up, each bird slipped off 

 her eggs, and, having gone a little way, stood still, staring at 

 us to attract our attention. Four nests were so found within 

 two miles. 



This species is very common throughout the whole of the 

 North-west Provinces. It is ordinarily known to Europeans as 

 the " Peewit,^' and, as mentioned by Dr. Jerdon (B. Ind. iii. 

 p. 649), has many nicknames derived from its cry. The natives 

 have many stories about it ; that of its sleeping on its back to 

 support the sky, which once fell on one of its ancestors, quoted 

 by the Doctor as being current in Southern India, is equally so 

 in the North-west*. It would be curious to trace the origin of 



this belief. 



I remain, &c., 



C. HORNE. 



Upper Norwood, June 5, 1869. 



Agra, June 12, 1869. 

 Sir, — Since I last wrote, another novelty has come to hand. 

 My friend Colonel Delme-Ratcliffe wrote from Attock that he had 

 two Grosbeaks, not included in Dr. Jerdon^s work, and that he 

 could not make them out. He has lately sent them to me to 

 name ; and what should appear but our old familiar friend the 

 Hawfinch [Coccoihraustes vulgaris, Steph.), whose nest and eggs 

 formed the especial treasure of my boyhood^s collection ! The 

 Hawfinch has been recorded from China and Japan, but never 

 before from India. Attock, where these birds were procured 

 (early in May, I believe), is our north-western frontier post. 



I am, &c., 



A. 0. Hume. 



Etawah, July 12, 1869. 

 Sir, — A friend of mine, Mr. Buck, of Cawnpore, has just 

 returned from a trip to the Sutlej valley, and at two places he 

 procured a specimen of Reguloides proregulus, a species I have 



* [It is also told of this species, or the allied Lohivanellus atromichalis, 

 in Biu-mah. Cf. Ibis, 1868, p. 390.— Ed.] 



