272 DIC^IDiE. 



Dicseum trigonostigma (Scop.). The Orange-bellied Flower- 

 peclicr. 

 Dicaeum trigonostigma (Scop.), Htiine, Cat. no. 23G bis. 



The eggs * are regular ovaLs, moderately elongated, the shell 

 very fragile and entirely glossless. The colour pure white. Our 

 specimens, contrary to what was to be expected in this genus, 

 exhibit a very few excessively minute dark specks, which are bro\An 

 or reddish brown, but which, even with a maguifying-glass, we 

 cannot make certain as to whether they are natural or have been 

 subsequently made by insects. Two eggs measured 0'6 by 0"41 

 and 0"43 respectively. 



Dicseum ignipectUS (Hodgs.). The Fire-breasted Flower- 

 jjecJcer. 



Mvzauthe ignipectus, Hodgs., Jerd. B. Ind. i, p. 377 ; Hume, lloiujh 

 'Draft N. ^ E. no. 241. 



Mr. R. Thompson tells me that the Fire-breasted .Flower-pecker 

 " breeds regularly at and about Nynee Tal, laying in June and July. 

 It constructs a pendent nest, which it attaches to the bare bough 

 of some large tree. In shape the nest is a sort of purse, opening 

 at the side towards its upper extremity. The nest is like thin felt, 

 and is composed of the pvibescent covering of the stems of various 

 species of Loranthiis, or misseltoes. I never examined the eggs." 



According to Mr. Hodgson's notes and figures, this species lays 

 in April and May. They build, in groves or open forest, a hang- 

 ing nest, rarely above a couple of feet from the ground. The nest 

 is attached to the end of some leafy spray w hich is incorporated 

 in its substance. In shape it is pyriform, some 5-75 inches in 

 length by 2*75 in width ; the entrance, which is about 2 inches 

 below the point of suspension, is circular and about 1 inch in 

 diameter. The nest is chiefly composed of green moss and hair- 

 like roots, and is lined vith soft grass and grass-flowers. Two or 

 three eggs (which, however, are neither figured nor described) are 

 said to be the maxinunu number laid, and both sexes are said to 

 participate in the work of incubation and rearing the young. 



Dicseum concolor, Jerd. T7ie Nilgiri Flower-pecl-er, 



Dicseum concolor, Jerd. ; Jerd. B. Ind. i, p. 375 ; Hume, Boxajh Draft 

 N. ^ E. no. 239. 



I have never myself obtained the eggs and ncsls of the Nilghiri 

 Flower-pecker, but have had many of these sent me. The first 

 nest I obtained I described elsewhere, thus : — 



* Mr. ITuiiic np]icars to have received the eggs of this species from some 

 (•(irre!-i)< indent. 1 cnnnot, however, find any note about tlie breeding of this 

 biid within Indian limits eiliicr among his ])ai)ei'.s oi- in any ijiiblished work. — 

 ¥a). 



