Birds' Egcjs and their Variations. 417 



Melanochlora contains but one species^ formerly known as 

 the ^' Sultan-Tit." Tbe nidification of this bird shows that 

 its former taxonomic position was probably correct ; the nest 

 is similar to that of those Tits which build in holes and 

 hollows, and the eggs are true Tits' eggs, and can be very 

 closely matched by many specimens of those of the genus 

 MachlohpJius. This bird should also, I consider, be with- 

 drawn from the Liotnchince and placed in the subfamily 

 Parina, along with the true Titmice. 



Psarof/lossa spiloptera has commonly been considered a 

 Starling, and this it undoubtedly is in habits as well as in 

 nidification. The nest is that of a Myna or Starling, and 

 is placed in holes and hollows in trees. The egg is blue 

 and is spotted ; in general characters it shows strong 

 affinities to those of the Mynas and the Eidahetidce or Hill- 

 Mynas. This species, also, should be removed from the 

 Liotrichine '' rubbish hole,^^ and exalted to its former and 

 proper position amongst the Sturnince. 



Hypocolius ampelinus is a bird of which I know little, 

 but the observations of Mr. Gumming seem to show that it 

 comes very near the Bulbuls, and hence probably its right 

 place is next to them. 



The subfamily Brachypodime, or Bulbuls, is one that calls 

 for no remark, as almost every egg laid by any of the 

 members bears its stamp upon it. All have the ground- 

 colour of some shade of pink, though it is sometimes 

 practically white, and all are marked with shades of red aud 

 brown, the predominant colour being red of some kind, 



The family Sittidce, or Nuthatches, is a small group con- 

 taining, in India, only the single genus Sitta, while the habits 

 of all ihe species are alike, and the nidification aud eggs 

 practically the same — that is to say, all lay white eggs, more 

 or less spotted with red, in holes of trees or rocks. The 

 main difference of habit is that some reduce the dimensions 

 of the entrances to their nest-holes by means of a mud 

 plaster, and others leave them as found, or enlarge them to 

 suit their own convenience. 



The next family, the Drongos or Drongo- Shrikes {Dicru- 



