Nesting of Birds in Fohkien. 43 



human hair, paper, &c. These are all plastered together 

 with mud in varying quantities, and lined with fine dry 

 grass, roots, and sometimes pine-needles. The amount of 

 mud used is often very considerable. 



According to Rickett's observations, the female is the sole 

 architect, the male sitting on a branch near the nest singing, 

 and attacking any birds that approach, especially Crows 

 and Magpies, while he does not hesitate to swoop down at 

 a prowling cat. The young in the nest appear to be fed 

 chiefly by the female, but as soon as they leave the nursery 

 the male takes his share in caring for them. Nesting begins 

 in April, and two broods are reared. 



The eggs are four or five in number, and, as a rule, 

 ovate, but vary a good deal in shape as well as in colour. 

 Forty-oae eggs average ri8x*87 in. They are blotched, 

 spotted, or speckled with various shades of red over under- 

 lying violet spots. The markings often form a cap, usually 

 at the larger end, but sometimes at the apex. 



The ground-colour varies from pale greenish to bluish 

 green, while occasionally it is of a reddish tint. 



UrOLONCHA ACUTICAUDA (HodgS.). 



A very common resident, apparently confined to the plains 

 and low hills. It appears to breed during most months of 

 the year, as Rickett has notes of eggs and young, or of 

 old birds carrying nest-materials, in nearly all the months 

 between February and November inclusive. 



The large globular nest of dry grass and bamboo-leaves 

 is placed in a bush or small tree. The grass-stems project 

 round the entrance and form at times a short neck. 



Six eggs of a clutch taken on October 27th average 

 •60 x -45 in. 



Munia topela (Swinhoe). 



Also a common resident on the plains. We have, how- 

 ever, no authentic eggs. 



Rickett's coolie once found a nest which with mistaken 

 zeal he took, instead of calling his master's attention to it, 

 as he had instructions to do. lie was told to return it to 



