Nidificntion of Indian Birds. 229 



taken notes about two of these clutches, one having been 

 given away before I either measured them or noted down 

 details as to coloration. 



The general character of the eggs of this Bulbul seems to 

 differ from any other that I know in its strongly developed 

 brown tinge; the ground-colour is a very pale pinkish white, 

 but is decidedly suffused with pale Vandyke at the larger 

 end. The primary markings consist of rather bold spots and 

 small blotches, ranging in colour from dark reddish brown 

 to a deep pui-ple, underlying which are others of pale grey 

 and neutral tint, more or less mixed with a good many 

 smears and blotches of very pale vandyke-brown. In four 

 out of six there are al«?o one or two fine long hair-lines at 

 the larger end, of a very deep jmrple-black or clotted-blood 

 colour. Writing from what I remember of the three eggs 

 which I gave away, I think they were decidedly less brown in 

 coloration, and they were also differently shaped, being some- 

 what lengthened ovals, those now in my possession being all 

 rather broad ovals, with the smaller end very little compressed 

 and decidedly blunt. The average size of the six eggs is 

 0"-84x0"-63, the greatest length and breadth being 0"-86 

 and 0"-65 respectively, and the least 0"-82 and 0"-60. The 

 texture is fine and close, and the shell less fragile, perhaps, 

 than are the eggs of most Bulbuls, but there is no gloss. 



29. Xanthixus flavescens. {Oates, op. cit. i. p. 275.) 

 The nest of this Bulbul is very similar to one of Molpastes 

 or Otocompsa that has been exceptionally neatly and com- 

 pactly built and provided with an unusually luxuriant lining. 

 The favourite materials consist of twigs, elastic dead stems 

 of weeds, fern-roots, and tendrils of climbing plants, but 

 always those are selected which are sound and fine, and, 

 almost as invariably, such as are of a dark-brown colour. 

 Less often a few dead leaves, fern-stems, or other similar 

 articles may be used, but grass, bamboo-leaves, &c. appear 

 never to be taken for the outer portion of the nest, although 

 for the lining fine grasses are sometimes made use of, 

 and very often indeed fine flowering ends which have been 



