NOTES. 47 



across the Medical College. I did not notice it here again 

 until February 8. Since that date, I have seen it every day, 

 and now for a few days I have noticed a pair of them, and 

 they appear to be about to build a nest. Within ten yards of my 

 office, a building is in course of construction, and, of course, 

 bamboo poles are used for scaffolding. This scaffolding has 

 been up for several months and is not at present in use, as the 

 main structure is finished. Here Parus atriceps has an excel- 

 lent opportunity of securing a ready-made nesting hole. I 

 have seen the pair working at the end of one particular pole, 

 carrying bits into it, and now I am anxiously awaiting the 

 end of the story. The sparrows may evict them, or the 

 scaffolding may be taken doA\7i ; but I have already told the 

 workmen to let me know before they remove it. I hope to be 

 able to exhibit the nest itself to the Society. So far the recent 

 records rest upon my own authority, and that maybe doubted. 

 But another observer, in the person of Mr. 0. S. Wickwar, 

 tells me that he has also seen a pair of these birds in Colombo 

 within the last few months. So I am relieved of the necessity 

 of bearing the whole responsibility myself. 



Colombo, February 23, 1913. C. T. SYMONS. 



